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The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) has announced three major grant opportunities opening this summer, offering enhanced funding structures and expanded opportunities for artists, culture bearers, arts organizations, and schools throughout southeastern Minnesota.

Individual Artists & Culture Bearers Project Support Grant

Applications open June 28 with a deadline of July 28. This year brings enhancements to better serve the creative community:

Enhanced Grant Structure: Project Support Grant amounts now range from $2,000 to $4,000 for Emerging Artists and Culture Bearers and $3,000 to $6,000 for Advancing Artists and Culture Bearers

Expanded Opportunities: Artists and Culture Bearers can now receive up to two grants per year – one Project Support Grant or Rural Arts Grant AND one Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools Grant

Important Policy Update: Recipients of Individual Artists & Culture Bearers Grants in fiscal year 2025 must take a one-year break and can reapply in fiscal year 2027

The program supports artists across dance, literary arts, music, theatre, visual arts, and interdisciplinary work. No matching funds are required, and all projects must include a public engagement component through publication, performance, workshop, or exhibition at an accessible venue. A Letter of Intent is no longer required. Find more information or apply at semac.org/grant-programs.

General Operating Support Grants

Applications open July 1. Arts organizations with operating expenses under $174,000 and in operation for at least three years can apply for these biennial support grants designed to strengthen and stabilize organizations.

Grant Structure includes $5,000 for year one, with an additional $5,000 for year two pending successful interim reporting. Eligible expenses include staffing, salaries, equipment, facilities, maintenance, and administrative costs. All 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations are eligible, excluding colleges and universities.

The application timeline features an Early Bird Advantage for applications submitted by Aug. 1, with notification by the end of November. A Second Round is available if funding remains, with applications due Nov. 1 and notification by the end of January. Applications are reviewed monthly until program funding runs out. Find more information or apply at semac.org/grant-programs

Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools Grants

Applications also open July 1. This program funds interactive arts residencies in public and non-religious private K-12 schools, creating meaningful educational experiences while providing professional development opportunities for artists and culture bearers.

Program requirements include residencies of one full day and not more than four weeks. Grant activities must supplement the school’s arts curriculum and not be a substitute for these basic requirements. No matching funds are required, and previous recipients may reapply. Individual artists, culture bearers, and schools may all apply.

The application timeline includes three rounds: applications received by Aug. 1 receive notification in mid-September; applications received by Oct. 1 receive notification by the end of November; and applications received by Dec. 1 receive notification in mid-January.