Programming and Project Support Grants for Organizations

Programming and Project Support Grants for Organizations is sponsored by Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC). These grants support activities directly involved in the creation, performance, publication, and exhibition of the arts in the 11-county SEMAC region. Focus areas include Arts Access, Arts Education, and Cultural Heritage.

Nonprofit arts and non-arts organizations (nonprofits, non-religious schools, local government and tribal entities) are eligible to apply, and collaborations between arts and non-arts organizations are encouraged. An accessible public event is required.

Grant Eligibility and Restrictions - Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Grant Eligibility and Restrictions The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) offers grants to support arts activities throughout our 11-county region. Find detailed eligibility information for your specific applicant category below.

Grant Eligibility & Restrictions for Individual Artists & Culture Bearers Grant Eligibility & Restrictions for Arts Organizations Grant Eligibility & Restrictions for Non-Arts Organizations Grant Eligibility & Restrictions for Grant Eligibility for Individual Artists and Culture Bearers Basic Eligibility Requirements for Individuals Every individual applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions: Be at least 18 years of age on the Final Submission Deadline and not currently enrolled in high school.

Be a United States citizen or an individual who has attained permanent resident status in the United States. Have been a full-time resident of the SEMAC region for at least six months and agree to reside in Minnesota for the duration of the proposed grant activity. No overdue final reports.

Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round. May not apply as an emerging artist at any time after having received funding as an advancing artist. Grant recipients must sit out one full fiscal year before reapplying for the same grant.

Individuals are eligible to receive three grants per year: One Project Support Grant One Rural Arts Grant (available in 2027), and One Artists and Culture Bearers in the Schools Grant Grant Project Restrictions for Individuals Grant proposals may not include any of the following: Activities that are essentially for the religious socialization of the participants or audience Activities that attempt to influence any state or federal legislation or appropriation Benefits, fundraisers, donations, and re-granting money (including outside scholarships, endowment funds, and/or prize money) Capital improvement, construction, or purchase of real property Historic preservation projects Activities that violate federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, or policies Projects related to a class, course, or degree requirements Fees paid to Public Event venues cannot exceed 10% of the funds requested from SEMAC Disallowed Expenses for Individuals The following budget items may not be included: Costs for relocating outside Minnesota Out of state travel or activities Expenses incurred prior to the Start Date (including publicity) Living expenses (however, artist fees are encouraged) Non-expendable equipment purchases for residency projects Contract Requirements for Individuals All individual grantees must agree to the following: Credit Line & Legacy Logo: Include specified credit line and Legacy Logo on all publicity Grant Activity: Maintain consistency with original application (changes require pre-approval) Out of State Travel: No funding for travel outside of Minnesota Access to Participation: Cannot limit participation based on disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or political/sectarian differences Letters of Thanks: Send to representatives in the Minnesota State Legislative district where you live Final Report: Submit within 30 days after the End Date Compliance: Adhere to all terms to avoid potential funding loss Residency and Eligibility: Remain in Minnesota during grant activity Important Notes for Individuals Grants to individual artists are taxable income Grant recipients must submit Federal Form W-9 and will receive Federal Form 1099 Grant Eligibility for Arts Organizations Basic Eligibility Requirements Every arts organization applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions: Be located in the SEMAC Region Have a clearly defined Mission Statement, preferably on the website Be registered with the state of Minnesota as a nonprofit corporation Have current 501(c)(3) status OR use a Minnesota Fiscal Sponsor with current 501(c)(3) status who has agreed to accept grant funding on behalf of the applicant No overdue final reports.

Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round.

Arts Organizations receiving Operating Support from the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) are eligible to receive two grants per year: One Programming and Project Support Grant One Organizational Sustainability and Capacity Building Grant (available in 2027) Arts Organizations in rural communities with populations below 7,500 are eligible to receive four grants per year: Two Programming and Project Support Grants, or one Programming and Project Support Grant and one Rural Arts Grant (available in 2027), for a maximum of $16,000 One Organizational Sustainability and Capacity Building Grant (available in 2027) General Operating Support Arts Organizations NOT in rural communities with populations below 7,500 and who do NOT receive Operating Support from MSAB are eligible to receive four grants per year: Two Programming and Project Support Grants for a maximum of $16,000 One Organizational Sustainability and Capacity Building Grant (available in 2027) General Operating Support Grant Project Restrictions for Arts Organizations Grant proposals may not include any of the following: Activities that are essentially for the religious socialization of the participants or audience Activities that attempt to influence any state or federal legislation or appropriation Benefits, fundraisers, donations, and re-granting money (including outside scholarships, endowment funds, and/or prize money) Feasibility studies (exception Organizational Sustainability & Capacity Building Grants) Capital improvement, construction, or purchase of real property Historic preservation projects Activities violating federal, state, or local laws Disallowed Expenses for Arts Organizations The following budget items may not be included: Costs for relocating outside Minnesota Out of state travel or activities Expenses incurred prior to the Start Date (including publicity) Contract Requirements for Arts Organizations All grantees must agree to the following: Compliance: Adhere to all terms to avoid potential funding loss Credit Line & Legacy Logo: Include specified credit line and Legacy Logo on all publicity Grant Activity: Maintain consistency with original application (changes require pre-approval) Out of State Travel: No funding for travel outside Minnesota Access to Participation: Cannot limit participation based on disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or political/sectarian differences Letters of Thanks: Send to Minnesota legislative representatives Final Report: Submit within 30 days after the End Date Grant Eligibility for Non-Arts Organizations Basic Eligibility Requirements Every non-arts organization applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions: Must be located in the SEMAC Region Must have a clearly defined Mission Statement, preferably on the website Must be registered with the state of Minnesota as a nonprofit corporation Must have current 501(c)(3) status OR be a local government or tribal entity No overdue final reports.

Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round. Non-Arts Organizations in rural communities with populations below 7,500 are eligible to receive one Programming and Project Support Grant OR one Rural Arts Grant (available in 2027) as the lead or co-applicant. Non-arts organizations NOT in rural communities are eligible to receive one Programming and Project Support Grant.

Restrictions for Non-Arts Organizations Grant proposals may not include any of the following: Activities that are essentially for the religious socialization of the participants or audience Activities that attempt to influence any state or federal legislation or appropriation Benefits, fundraisers, donations, and re-granting money (including outside scholarships, endowment funds, and/or prize money) Capital improvement, construction, or purchase of real property Historic preservation projects Activities violating federal, state, or local laws Disallowed Expenses for Non-Arts Organizations The following budget items may not be included: Out of state travel or activities Expenses incurred prior to the Start Date (including publicity) Contract Requirements for Non-Arts Organizations All non-arts organization grantees must agree to the following: Compliance: Adhere to all terms to avoid potential funding loss Credit Line & Legacy Logo: Include specified credit line and Legacy Logo on all publicity Grant Activity: Maintain consistency with original application (changes require pre-approval) Out of State Travel: No funding for out-of-state activities Access to Participation: Cannot limit participation based on disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or political/sectarian differences Letters of Thanks: Send to Minnesota legislative representatives Final Report: Submit within 30 days after the End Date Grant Eligibility for K-12 Schools Basic Eligibility Requirements for K-12 Schools Every K-12 school applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions: Must be located in the SEMAC region Must be a non-religious K-12 school Must have a clearly defined Mission Statement No overdue final reports.

Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round.

K-12 Schools are eligible to receive two grants per year: One Programming and Project Support Grant (for an activity to take place outside of the school day) and One Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools Grant either as the lead applicant or as the co-applicant with an artist or culture bearer as the lead applicant Restrictions for K-12 School Grants K-12 schools may not apply for funding of: Equipment (such as band instruments, kilns, etc.) Student transportation or field trips Programs designed to fulfill K-12 Minnesota Academic Standards in the Arts Disallowed Expenses for K-12 Schools The following budget items may not be included: Out of state travel or activities Expenses incurred prior to the Start Date (including publicity) Contract Requirements for K-12 Schools All school grantees must agree to the following: Supplemental Programming: Confirm funding does not replace or supplant school’s normal funding for curriculum or activities Credit Line & Legacy Logo: Include specified credit line and Legacy Logo on all publicity Grant Activity: Maintain consistency with original application (changes require pre-approval) Out of State Travel: No funding for travel or activities outside of Minnesota Access to Participation: Cannot limit participation based on disability, ethnicity, gender identity, marital status, race, religion, sexual orientation or political/sectarian differences Letters of Thanks: Send to Minnesota legislative representatives Final Report: Submit within 30 days after the End Date Compliance: Adhere to all terms to avoid potential funding loss For more information about or assistance with SEMAC’s grant programs: Instagram @southeasternmnartscouncil | Facebook @SEMAC Contact sharon@semac.

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