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Creative Connections is a grant from the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council that funds individual artists in the Twin Cities metro area to develop arts projects that connect Minnesotans with arts and cultural experiences, engage communities through artistic endeavors, or pass along expressive cultural traditions. Projects must focus on creating arts access for Minnesotans or integrating artistic engagement to accomplish community goals.
Eligible applicants are individual artists residing in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties in Minnesota. Awards are up to $5,000. The 2026 eligible funding period runs from March 2 to May 31, 2026, and applications are accepted on a rolling basis while funds are available.
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Providing up to $5,000 for artistic proposals in Minnesota led by individuals. Proposals must focus on creating access to the arts for Minnesotans and/or engaging with Minnesota communities through artistic endeavors.
Qualifying proposals will: Connect Minnesotans with arts and cultural experiences; and/or Integrate artists and/or artistic engagement to accomplish a community’s non-arts goals; and/or Provide Minnesotans with opportunities for arts learning; and/or Pass along expressive cultural traditions. Creative Connections: The Basics Have an idea for an arts project or program that fits the description above?
First review a few basics with these frequently asked questions. When can my proposal happen? The eligible funding period for Creative Connections 2026 is March 2, 2026–May 31, 2027 (approximately 15 months).
All grant-funded activities must take place between these dates. Who should benefit from this proposal? The primary beneficiaries of proposed activities must be community members, rather than the applicant.
At least three (3) Minnesotans other than the applicant must participate in the proposal as beneficiaries (for example, if you are designing an art-making activity for children, at least three kids must be involved). Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must have a primary residential address in one of the seven metro counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington) and also be a United States citizen or have attained permanent resident status in the United States.
Eligible applicants must reside in the seven-county metro region for at least six (6) months prior to the application deadline and continue to do so for the entirety of their proposed grant period.
Powered by HTML5 Responsive FAQ Important Dates for Your Creative Connections Application Application Opens in Submittable Application Assistance Ends October 1, 2025, 12:01 am Grant Program Overview and Full Eligibility Requirements To find out about Creative Connections, read through the Grant Program Overview and Application Instructions (previously known as our “Guidelines”), available below.
In it, you’ll learn: Information about when and where your proposal can happen. What types of funding are allowed, including eligible and ineligible expenses. Details about how applications are reviewed and scored by our review panelists.
What to do if you’ve received an MRAC grant in previous years. A list of the narrative questions you’ll be asked when you describe your proposal. Instructions on providing your proposal budget.
How to use Submittable to complete your application. View and Download the Grant Overview To submit an application, you’ll need to be very familiar with the requirements for Creative Connections. View and download the version that works best for you!
Great for viewing on your phone or computer, or for printing a hard copy. This PDF opens in a new window. Creative Connections Program Overview (PDF version) Interactive Word Document Created for screen readers and other assistive technologies, and is also a good choice if you like a standard, clickable table of contents.
This Word file downloads directly to your computer. Creative Connections Program Overview (Word version) Creative Connections is now closed for 2026. If you have questions about a previous or pending application, please contact creativeconnections@mrac.
org . We provide the following resources to help you complete your Application. Pre-recorded Informational Webinar Hosted by grant program staff, this webinar reviews the information in our Grant Program Overview and Application Instructions, available above.
Staff go through each section step by step, including what happens after you submit your application. Helpful to use if you take in information better by listening or by seeing it laid out on slides! You can download and use the following resources to help you prepare and plan your application.
Application Scoring Guide for Review Panelists Review panelists use these criteria when they are scoring Creative Connections applications. This PDF opens in a new window. Application Questions and Explanations This PDF opens in a new window.
Narrative Drafting Document This Word document downloads directly to your computer. Budget Plan Drafting Sheet This Excel file downloads directly to your computer. Header 1: Keila Anali Saucedo, Brujeria for Beginners , 2021, courtesy 20% Theater Company.
Header 2: CAAM Chinese Dance Theater, Caponi Art Park’s Theater in the Woods, 2010, photo: Corey Pressgrove. Header 3 (left to right): Impulse , Manifest Dance, 2022, Minnesota Fringe Virtual Festival, and BalletMN, Mozart 40th, 2017–2018. Send Mail: PO Box 4644 St.
Paul, MN 55114 General Voice Mailbox: 651-645-0402 Email General Questions: info@mrac. org
According to the current listing, eligibility includes: Individual artists residing in Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington counties in Minnesota. Confirm the full requirements in the official notice before applying.
The current listing shows up to $5,000. Verify award ceilings, matching requirements, and allowable costs in the official notice.
Creative Connections (Metropolitan Regional Arts Council) is funded by Metropolitan Regional Arts Council. Verify program details on the funder's official page before applying.
This opportunity targets applicants in Washington and Minnesota. Check the official notice for exact location requirements.
Start from the official opportunity page linked in this listing — it carries the sponsor's submission instructions.
Jerome Early-Career Project Grants is a grant from Forecast Public Art, funded by the Jerome Foundation, that funds the creation of new public art projects by early-career artists based in Minnesota. Two grants of $8,000 each are awarded annually to support temporary or permanent public artworks anywhere in Minnesota. Projects may be supported by public or nonprofit agencies but private commissions are not eligible, and a secured project site is required at the time of application. The program places special emphasis on supporting BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, women artists, immigrant artists, rural artists, and artists with disabilities. Eligible applicants are Minnesota-based individual artists with 2–10 years of generative experience. The application deadline was October 15, 2025.
The Local Cultural Council Program is a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council distributing $1,000 to $10,000 through a statewide network of 329 Local Cultural Councils (LCCs) representing every city and town in the Commonwealth. Each LCC awards funds based on local community cultural needs as assessed by council members. Eligible applicants include artists, nonprofits, schools, and organizations pursuing arts, humanities, and science projects. Applications are submitted directly to local councils and are typically due by October 16. Grants from most LCCs are reimbursement-based. Massachusetts Cultural Council funds the LCCs centrally, which then regrant to community projects.
William Penn's 128-grant, \$57.2M May 2026 distribution reveals a Philadelphia-focused funder doubling down on children, arts education, and civic infrastructure as federal support recedes.
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