Individual Artist Grants

Individual Artist Grants is sponsored by Northwest Minnesota Arts Council. Grants for performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists to support their artistic business or advance technical skills.

Artist Grants Apply — Northwest Minnesota Arts Council Find current available grant opportunities, access application forms, and learn how to apply for our grants. Our grants are only for individuals and organizations with permanent legal addresses in our service region in northwestern Minnesota. Our region covers the Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.

In the case of college students, you will need to show proof of residency in our region. All applicants complete both the Arts Grant application (for the panel review) and the Data Collection application (for the State Arts Board). We offer 4 applicant categories for arts grants: Grants for Cities/Counties/Nonprofit Organizations ; Grants for Schools ; Grants for Nonprofit Arts Organizations ; and Grants for Individual Artists .

See below for details. All applicants must fill out the Arts Grant application and the Data Collection application. Download directions to fill out the data collection form here.

Please note the training module directions are based on last year’s data collection process which is slightly different than our current application. Overview of Grant Deadlines We offer 4 applicant categories for arts grants with deadlines throughout the year: Grants for Cities/Counties/Nonprofit Organizations; Grants for Schools; Grants for Nonprofit Arts Organizations; and Grants for Individual Artists.

Our service are includes Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau. Click the button below for details about the grants. Arts Project Grant ($500-$10,000) Deadlines: July 31, Oct 31, Feb 28, April 30.

Individual Artist Grants ($5,000, $3,000, $1,500) Deadlines: November 15 or April 30 Arts Equipment for Schools ($3,000) Competitive deadline September 30 and then first come, first served as funds remain Artist Residency Grants ($3,000 & up to 4 residencies) No Deadline, April 30 Final Submission Date General Operating Grants for non-profit arts organizations Open July 1, 2025-April 30,2026 Grants for Cities/Counties/Nonprofit Organizations as applicants.

This is the applicant category for arts projects that would benefit from $500 – $10,000 in grant funds. Non-profits (historical, fairs, healthcare, etc.) new Arts nonprofits, and governmental entities like cities and counties are eligible to apply for these funds. This is the applicant category for the majority of organizations.

Main deadlines are July 31, October 31, and February 28, and April 30. Examples: sponsoring a specific theatrical play or the sponsorship of a few folk artists to entertain at your festival. This grant is not intended for use by school districts since they have their own applicant category.

Artists offering workshops to community members. This is a main category to fund public art projects within communities such as murals and sculpture. Cash Match : A 10% minimum cash match is required for all grant requests.

If the project is to repeat sponsorship of an artist or group that has been sponsored with NWMAC funding in previous years then a 25% minimum cash match is required. Arts Grants have 4 application deadlines a year. Funds are slightly divided between these application deadlines.

Deadlines July 31, Oct 31, Feb 28, April 30 Grant application process is closed annually between April 30 - July 1 *********************************************************** *Download step by step directions to walk you through the application form for cities, counties, and non-profit organizations here. Please note the training module directions are based on last year’s grant which is slightly different than our current application.

Arts Equipment for Schools. Supported by general allocation funds from the Minnesota state legislature, schools can apply to purchase artistic equipment for their visual art, performing art, media arts, or creative writing departments. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match.

Competitive deadline is September 30 and then we fund on a first come, first served basis as funds remain. Equipment that is used solely for the pursuit of arts like a kiln or theater lights, or a band instrument has a better chance of being funded. Artist Residency in Schools.

We offer arts grants for artist residencies in schools These grants are a maximum of $3,000 to sponsor an artist for a traditional week long residency. Schools are strongly encouraged to use our teaching artist roster or use a roster artist from COMPAS . Schools can apply for additional residencies as long as funding is available.

Types of Grants for Schools Artist Residency in Schools (up to $3,000) no deadline, April 30 final submission date Arts Equipment for Schools (up to $3,000) Sept 30 deadline and then on-going until funds run out or until April 30 when applications close Grant application process is closed annually between April 30 - July 1 *Download step by step directions that walk you through the application form for grants for schools here.

Please note the training module directions are based on last year’s grant which is slightly different than our current application. Grants for Nonprofit Arts Organizations General Operating Grants for non-profit arts organizations that are incorporated in our region are eligible for funding in this category. Please note: these organizations have a yearly actual budget that 100% goes to arts activities and programming.

Think arts centers and theater organizations. If arts are only part of what your organization does, this category is not for you. Contact our office with questions.

General Operating for Non-Profit Arts Orgs (varies) Applications Open July 1. Payment will not be until your next fiscal year begins. Grant application process is closed annually between April 30 - July 1 *Download step by step directions to help you complete the grant application form here .

Please note the training module directions are based on last year’s grant which is slightly different than our current application. 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 $5,000, $3,000, and $1,500 have two deadlines of November 15 or April 30 . Grants are awarded with $1,500 going to four individuals; $3,000 going to three individuals and $5,000 going to three individuals. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation or the State of Minnesota.

NWMAC no longer offers the Quick Turn Around grant. Artists desiring an active artist award for reimbursement of eligible purchases can talk with our staff to see if what they would like to purchase qualifies for reimbursement. It is a one page form for reimbursement of up to $500.

One active artist award per artist in a calendar year. Individual Artist Grants ($5,000, $3,000, $1,500) Nov 15 and April 30 deadlines Grant application process is closed annually between April 30 - July 1 ************************************************************ *Download Step by Step Directions for completing an Individual Artist Grant here .

Please note the training module directions are based on last year’s grant which is slightly different than our current application. See our video series of helpful tips on how to make your grant application a success. Need to access grant forms?

Head to our Grant Forms Quick List to access the forms you need. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page of helpful tips Funding for these grants comes from the Minnesota State Legislature through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment.