Arts News
Upcoming Grant Deadlines
Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications for
Organizations, Individuals, & Schools
October 31 Deadline for Organizations
November 15 Deadline for Artist Grants for Individuals
October 31 is the grant deadline for nonprofits and government organizations. Organizations can apply for one arts project at a time and grants are between $500 and $10,000. Funding sources for these grants are Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.
Organizational arts activities funded through these two very important grant opportunities include festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities. Don't forget public art!
- CONSIDER PUBLIC ART -
Applications are also open for Individual Artist Grants. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists. Individual Artist Grants provide financial assistance for the exhibition, performance, or production of a specific creative work, mentoring with a more experienced artist, participation in not-for-credit arts experiences.
To be eligible you must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age and reside in the 7 county NW Minnesota region. College tuition is not an eligible expense.
Individual Artist Grants for either $1,500 or $5,000 have an annual deadline of November 15. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Quick turnaround grants for $500 are available on an ongoing deadline -- first come, first served. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Individuals must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make substantial yearly income from their art. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Individuals absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2024). In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.
Arts Midwest Culture Bearers Award - Apply Now
Arts Midwest Culture Bearers Award — Apply Now
Now Open: Midwest Culture Bearers Award
Arts Midwest is now accepting applications for the Midwest Culture Bearers Award, a $5,000 award that celebrates and supports the work of Midwest culture bearers and folk arts practitioners.
Culture bearers keep their cultural traditions alive through craft, storytelling, dance, performance, visual arts, foodways, language preservation, and more. They are deeply connected to their communities and share their knowledge with new generations.
About the Midwest Culture Bearers Award
What is it? The Midwest Culture Bearers Award is a $5,000 award. It honors and amplifies the work of nine Midwestern culture bearers each year.
Who can apply? If you have been practicing arts and culture rooted in your heritage and ancestry for over 10 years and share your practice with your community, you can apply.
Where? You must live in the Arts Midwest region. This includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and the Native Nations that share this geography.
When to apply? Applications close at 11:59 pm CST on July 29, 2024. The first awards will be made in September 2024.
You can get help from someone else to complete your application. Or, you can nominate someone with their permission.
Learn more about the Midwest Culture Bearers Award, review eligibility requirements, and read the guidelines on their website here.
Writing Workshop with Hallock Author Jeanne Cooney September 14
Register for this writing workshop with Hallock author Jeanne Cooney. The workshop will be held on September 14.
Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program
Read about this Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program and consider applying!
Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program
Creating Belonging in Minnesota Parks
Artist-in-Residence position
Timeline: 12 months (August 2024 to August 2025)
Time commitment: average 20 hours/week (part-time)
Stipend: $40,000 Materials budget: $14,000
Location: A Minnesota park or a park system (full list of host sites is located at the application link in Submittable)
Deadline to apply: July 21, 2024, 11:59 p.m.
Information session: Tuesday, June 25, 2024, 4:00 p.m.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1iuDcuH9QDqJJGlIke8tDQ
This information session will be recorded and posted on the Submittable application page for those not able to attend.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Parks and Trails Division, the Metropolitan Council Metropolitan Regional Parks, and the Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission are partnering with Forecast Public Art to launch Creating Belonging in Minnesota Parks -- Artist Residency in the Parks Pilot Program in parks across Minnesota exploring community and belonging. The selected Minnesota-based artists-in-residence will research and engage with a park, trail or park system and its communities and then use that research to develop new work(s). Unlike traditional residency opportunities, this program focuses on how artists can serve as partners to and ambassadors for the parks and contribute not just art, but ideas.
The goal of the Minnesota Parks Artist-in-Residence Pilot Program is to enhance a sense of welcoming and belonging to park users. This is a paid opportunity for artists that aims to address unique opportunities and challenges around creating belonging in our public parks. We hope that this pilot helps foster deeper community engagement and relationship-building in state and regional parks, improves access to Minnesota parks and trails, and increases collective appreciation for park uses, outdoor recreation, and natural resources, especially in underserved communities. Embedding an artist in a park or a park system will allow the selected artists to apply their own creative perspectives and skills to foster a greater sense of belonging. All selected artists will be a part of a cohort of 9, and will meet with other artists regularly to foster a sense of community and to share ideas.
Curiosity, Belonging, & Discovery - These are the values that guide the activities of the Creating Belonging in Minnesota Parks program. Participants in the program will be asked to commit to these values.
For more information and the application, visit forecastpublicart.submittable.com/submit/298545/minnesota-parks-artist-in-residence-application
Popcorn Players offers summer theater opportunity in Warroad
Do you have a child interested in acting? Join Warroad Summer Theatre this summer for Popcorn Players. 🥳🍿 The first day of practice is June 17. Children will audition during practice (everyone gets a role!) and will need to be in attendance the whole time. Pack a snack and a water bottle and get ready for a great time.
Early June Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the early June 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at conta.cc/4aLbaA7
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Upcoming Springboard Offerings for Artists — Virtual Session
Check out these virtual session from Springboard for the Arts!
Ask Me Anything: Small Business Storefronts
Join at 12pm Central Time on Monday, May 20 for a virtual conversation about opening an arts-centered store in a small town or city!
Discover the world of wholesale and learn about the logistics of owning or renting a downtown building with Fergus Falls-based small business owners Blayze Buseth, owner of Creation Shop, and Jan Werkau, owner of SoapWerks Naturals and Creative Handmade Goods. The conversation will be moderated by Emily Kurash Casey, Director of Community Programs and Minnesota Main Street Statewide Coordinator at Rethos.
“Ask Me Anything” events are held throughout the year with Springboard’s Artist Career Consultants (ACCs) or staff and guest artists/presenters. Stay updated on our events calendar for more conversations in this ongoing series.
Register
Additional Upcoming Offerings for Artists
Copyright Essentials
Thursday, May 16
6:00-7:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
What is a copyright and do you need one to protect your work? In this free virtual Work of Art+ workshop, a staff member from Springboard’s Minnesota Lawyers for the Arts (MnLA) program will cover the legal basics of copyrights for visual and performing artists. Presented in partnership with Dakota County Library.
Grant Writing
Tuesday, May 14
6:00-8:30pm Central Time
Virtual (Zoom)
FREE
In this virtual Work of Art workshop, you'll learn the essentials of writing a grant proposal and get tips for searching for grants to fund your artistic practice. Free, and open to artists of all disciplines!
For more workshops and to register visit https://springboardforthearts.org/events/
Springboard’s Rural Regenerator Fellowship Application is Open
Announcing the 2024–26 Rural Regenerator Fellowship
Calling rural artists in the Upper Midwest: Applications are now open for Springboard's 2024–26 Rural Regenerator Fellowship!
We are excited to announce that this year’s Fellowship will focus on supporting artists whose work is connected to land, environment, and/or food systems. Rural artists who are using their creative practice to explore environmental justice, land and food sovereignty, agriculture, foodways, climate solutions, and/or sustainability are welcome to apply. They will select 12 fellows total.
What the two-year Fellowship offers:
Unrestricted $10,000 stipend to continue or expand rural artist's existing work.
Opportunities for exchange and learning with other Rural Regenerator Fellows across the Upper Midwest.
A supportive platform to build solidarity across rural geographies.
This year’s new effort to amplify and support the urgent work of environmental stewardship aims to bring a new level of focus to the Fellowship in order to collectively contribute to long term change and support existing movements.
Applications are open now through June 24, 2024. Interested in applying? Join the virtual info session on Friday, May 31 to learn more about the application and the fellowship.
Learn more and apply here or https://springboardforthearts.org/rural-regenerator-fellowship/
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Opportunity Cultural Expression
Minnesota State Arts Board Grant Opportunity
FY 2025 Cultural Expression
Application materials are now available for the Cultural Expression grant program. This program is open to individuals and organizations.
Cultural Expression grants support activities that share, explore, pass on, express, or celebrate culture through the arts. Culture may be defined by a common ethnicity, tribal affiliation, geographic or regional identity, occupation, language, or recreation. Traditional and contemporary forms of cultural expression may be funded in this program. Funds could be used to support practicing a cultural art form; presenting cultural festivals, community celebrations, performances, media or exhibitions; offering demonstrations; or passing on cultural traditions through apprenticeships or documentation.
Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000.
Applications must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 12, 2024.
The Arts Board will host a virtual information session on June 5 for potential applicants to learn more about the program purpose and application process. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions with program officers at the end of the session.
Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants can be found on the Arts Experiences program web page.
Cultural Expression Program Page
Important Dates:
June 5, 2024: Virtual Information Session and Q & A. This will be a real-time virtual session. It will also be recorded and available for later viewing.
July 12, 2024: Application deadline; all application materials must be submitted before 4:30 p.m.
January 2025: Arts Board approves grant awards.
March 2025 - February 2026: All funded activities must take place within these dates.
Questions? Visit this page arts.state.mn.us/grants/cultural-expression.htm
Empire Arts Center Summer Camps
EMPIRE ARTS CENTER
Program Opportunities for ages 12-19
The Empire Arts Center’s mission is to promote culture and lifelong learning by presenting our own artistic programming while providing a distinctive, welcoming venue for the arts, businesses, and community of the upper Red River Valley.
Join them this summer for educational programs in Grand Forks
Contact the Empire at 701-746-5500 or info@empireartscenter.com with any questions or to register. Learn more at their website here or empireartscenter.com/education
EMPIRE THEATRE ACADEMY
In this five week academy, students ages 14-19 will rehearse She Kills Monsters (a non-musical) by Qui Nguyen. Throughout the academy, students will learn how to analyze text, character development, voice projection, stage movement, working with props, theatre protocols, audition techniques, and resume writing taught by visiting professional theatre artists and academy director, Ryan King.
June 2-6, 9-13, 16-20, 23-27, 30-July 2, 7-10.
Time: 6-9 PM daily.
Performances July 11-13.
MOVIEMAKING CAMP FOR TEENS
The Empire’s two-week movie-making camp will take 12- through 18-year-old students through the process of brainstorming, writing, editing, directing, filming, and producing a short film. It will also allow them to cast their films from actors outside the camp, hence involving additional area youth. The finished, short movies will be screened at the Empire Art Center on the large screen in the auditorium, preceded by a Red-Carpet event so family, friends, and community members can view this unique locally produced film.
July 29-August 1, August 5-8.
Time: 12-5 PM daily
Red carpet premiere August 11 at 5:00 PM
Summer Art Camp at NDMOA
2024 SUMMER ART CAMP at the North Dakota Museum of Art
Visit ndmoa.com for Camp details and registration information. Space is limited.
SCHEDULE
June 10 – 14, 2024
1A – JEANNE O’NEIL
Press, Mesh, & Sculpt: Adventures in Art
1B – JAMIE WORDEN
Canvas & Clay: A Summer of Color and Creation
JUNE 17 – 21, 2024
2A – SAM SHARPE Rhythm & Rhymes: A Musical Journey
2B – MEGAN JOHNSON
Nature’s Palette: North Dakota Landscapes and Botanicals
JUNE 24 – 28, 2024
3A – CARRIE CONNELL & MICHELLE KARST
Wild Things Unleashed: Art Meets Theater
3B – MOLLY MCLAIN
Mosaic Magic
JULY 8 – 12, 2024
4A – LYDIA WELLE
Collage Creations: Crafting Summer Dreams
4B – CARRIE SAPA
From Sea to Shining Sea: Artwork Inspired by America & American Artists
JULY 15 – 19, 2024
5A – EVA BRANVOLD
Page to Palette: Artistic Explorations
5B – EMILY DENCKER
Canvas & Color: A Painter’s Playground
JULY 22 – 27, 2024
6A – KASANDRA GREGOIRE
Threaded Tales: Yarn Painting and Fiber Arts
6B – EMMA SCHREIBER
Art Across Cultures: Creative Explorations
Early Registration for Museum Members* opens
Wednesday, May 8 at 9 am
*Household membership level or higher
First-time Camper? Pre-register at Active.com
Secure your discount and early access by purchasing a Museum Membership.
Current Museum Members or Returning Campers?Check your eligibility today by calling the Museum at 701-777-4195 or by emailing MJ at mjhaji-sheikh@ndmoa.com.
Already on Active? Renew your Museum Membership.
You will receive a discount code for your discount and early access.
General Registration begins Friday, May 10 at 9 am.
The American-Scandinavian Foundation is accepting applications for fellowship grants
American-Scandinavian Foundation is accepting applications for Fellowship Grants
The American-Scandinavian Foundation annual competition for Scandinavian Folk Arts & Cultural Traditions in the Upper Midwest is now accepting applications.
Deadline: September 1, 2024 at 11:59 PM CDT
amscan.org/fellowships-grants/grants-for-folk-arts
For further information and to begin an online application visit amscan.org/fellowships-grants/grants-for-folk-arts
Two kinds of awards are available: fellowships for artists and grants for organizations to present public programs and community projects. All grant applications should be for projects that encourage the practice of folk arts and cultures and the presentation of these arts to public audiences.
FELLOWSHIPS FOR ARTISTS
Fellowships for artists deepen the skills of master artists; foster relationships among masters of artistic and technical skills and their apprentices, and encourage the development of traditional skills and the perpetuation of skills from generation to generation; and encourage the awareness of folk traditions by creating innovative projects with wide visibility and public appeal.
GRANTS FOR
PUBLIC PROGRAMS & COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Grants for public programs and community projects encourage the preservation of Scandinavian cultural traditions through the support of community festivals, celebrations, and heritage events as well as workshops, performances, classes, and demonstrations. Applicants for public programs grants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.
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Rural-Urban Solidarity Call for Creatives Apply by May 20
Rural and urban communities need each other. We share the same resources, land, and future. Artists are skilled at building solidarity, compassion, and understanding across geographies.
Over the years, the perceived “urban-rural” divide has become a political strategy to provoke division and fear, instead of fostering connection and common ground. Springboard for the Arts invites artists and creatives across Minnesota to develop projects that explore and shed light on the concept of rural-urban solidarity.
This call is open to culture bearers, makers, artists, writers, filmmakers, musicians, performers, and other creatives interested in developing projects that help build understanding, interaction, compassion, joy, and solidarity between rural and urban communities.Projects can include as many artists as needed, but will require a Lead Artist(s) who is responsible for submitting a proposal, attending meetings with Springboard, managing funds, and ensuring the project’s overall success.As part of the program, Springboard will provide:
- Project support and a $2500 stipend for one Lead Artist who can demonstrate a strong connection to and experience in both urban/rural contexts.
- Project support and a $5000 stipend for two Lead Artists, one in an urban and one in a rural place, who are teaming up on a project together. Types of projects may include (but are not limited to) zines/writing collections, video/motion art, visual displays (murals, billboards, lawn signs) and activations of public space (line dancing classes in parking lots, story circles in a library, shared meals, etc). Questions about the program or your project proposal? Email or visit www.springboardforthearts.org/rural-urban-solidarity.
Applications will close at midnight CST on Monday, May 20, 2024.
March Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the March 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/4aexCSm
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Upcoming Grant Deadlines
Upcoming Deadlines for Arts Grants Applications
Organizations, Individuals & Schools -- Apply Now
Applications are open for arts grants to nonprofit arts organizations, communities, schools, and other nonprofit organizations. Applications are being accepted from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Nonprofit arts organizations can apply for general operating funds. Applications are open now. The eligible grant amount is based on total expenses within the previous two completed years and the organization's history of arts programming. These organizations will be able to add to this grant, as the year progresses, if they need additional funding. Funding sources for these grants come from Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.
Quick turnaround grants for $500 will be available on an ongoing deadline starting in January. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from our seven county Minnesota service area including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties.
Individuals must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make substantial yearly income from their art. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation.
Individuals absolutely must reside in our region (for one year prior) and remain living in our region during your entire grant year (2024). In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.
All other nonprofits and government organizations can apply for one arts project at a time. Grants are between $500 and $10,000. Funding sources for these grants are Clean Water, Land and Legacy funds and general allocation funds from the State of Minnesota.
Organizational arts activities funded through these two very important grant opportunities include festivals, community theatre projects, folk music entertainment, sponsorship of visual demonstrations, creative writing workshops and many other activities that improve the quality of life of people in our communities.
The deadline to apply for a project grant for governments and non-profits is April 30.
Schools in our seven-county region can also apply now for an Artist Residency grant of $2,600 plus an additional $400 if the residency needs supplies. Our teaching artist roster is a great resource to view artists available to teach in our area and is available on our website at www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org under the artists tab. Another resource to view artists available to enhance curriculum is COMPAS.
Schools can initially apply for one residency. Then based on remaining funding, can request up to three additional residencies into spring and summer. Funding for residency activities comes from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment in Minnesota.
In addition, there is Arts Equipment funding for school districts available up to $3,000 with 25% cash match required.
We offer grant training workshops via Zoom or in person at the NWMAC office in Warren. You must RSVP to attend. Email director@nwartscouncil.org to RSVP or with questions. Don’t let your questions about the grant process keep you from applying! We are here to help.
Upcoming Grant Writing Trainings
April 16 at 10 AM
To learn more about grant programs and start an application visit www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. The grant application process is completely online and NWMAC's Director Mara Hanel can help walk you through the process of using the grants portal to get accustomed to it. Please contact her at director@NWArtsCouncil.org or call 218-745-8886.
Accessible Arts Grant Program
Minnesota State Arts Board
Grant Opportunities: Accessible Arts and Arts Education
Accessible Arts grant program
Application materials are now available for the FY 2025 Accessible Arts grant program. Arts organizations and arts affiliates are welcome to apply.
Accessible Arts is a pilot program, offering project grants that support long-term investments focused on increasing arts organizations' accessibility for people with disabilities.
New for FY 2025: An arts organization or arts affiliate that received an Accessible Arts grant in FY 2024 is not eligible to apply for an Accessible Arts grant in FY 2025.
In this program, funds will be used for investments that will have a longer-term impact on the applicant and impact organizational change. Example investments include, but are not limited to:
Professional development related to accessibility;
Hiring accessibility consultants to conduct audits or develop accessibility plans;
Improvements to digital accessibility; and/or
Small physical or equipment investments (less than $5,000) that will make programming more accessible.
Applicants may request between $10,000 - $20,000.
The Arts Board will host a virtual Information Session for potential applicants to learn more about the program purpose, application process, and key accessibility resources for arts organizations.
Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants can be found on the Accessible Arts program page.
Artist Residency Program in NY Mills Deadline to Apply is April 1
Applications for the Artist Residency Program at the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center in New York Mills are now being accepted! The deadline is April 1. Information and application can be found on the website: https://www.kulcher.org/programs/artist-retreat/
The residency program is open to artists of all disciplines; writers, poets, playwrights, visual artists, musicians, and dancers, and offers time and space to create without distraction.
Artists are responsible for their transportation to and from New York Mills, along with food while in residence. The Cultural Center provides a one-bedroom home, along with all linens, dishes, etc. The Center requests that artists perform an outreach project, usually within the schools. For more information, check the website: www.kulcher.org, or contact: cheryl@kulcher.org.
New York Mills Regional Cultural Center
24 Main Avenue North, PO Box 246
New York Mills, Minnesota 56567
Summer Art Day Camp for Ages 8-13
To reserve a spot for this summer art day camp in Lengby for ages 8-13, email : hello@oldschoolarts.org.
Creative Individuals FY 2025 Grant Opportunity
Grant Opportunity for Individuals:
FY 2025 Creative Individuals
Application materials are now available for the Creative Individuals grant program. This program is open to individual artists and culture bearers.
Creative Individuals provides support to help individual artists and culture bearers develop or sustain their creative practices and meaningfully engage with Minnesotans.
In this program, funds may be used to support an individual's creative practice and meaningfully connect to and engage with audiences, participants, students, and/or communities during the grant period.
Applicants may request between $2,000 - $10,000.
The Arts Board will host a virtual Information Session for potential applicants to learn more about the program purpose and application process. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions with program officers at the end of the session. See below for more information.
Details, including full program guidelines, eligibility, and resources for applicants can be found on the Creative Individuals program page.
Creative Individuals Program Page
Important Dates
February 28, 2024: Virtual Information Session and Q & A. This will be a real-time virtual session. It will be recorded and available for later viewing.
April 5, 2024: Application deadline; all application materials must be submitted before 4:30 p.m.
December 2024: Arts Board approves grant awards.
February 2025 - January 2026: All funded activities must take place within these dates.
February Newsletter
Our latest newsletter is out! Read the February 2024 newsletter to find out about upcoming deadlines, events, exhibits, calls for art, opportunities, and more at https://conta.cc/3uLa7RK
Make sure you sign up to get the e-newsletter delivered to your inbox.