Minnesota State Arts Board
/OVERVIEW: Minnesota State Arts Board supports arts projects and organizations within the state.
IP TAKE: Grant seekers applying to these grants will have to compete with artists and arts organizations from all other disciplines. Those with a local or regional connection to their work will likely be the most successful. Though a state funder rather than a national one, the MSA board conducts extensive grantmaking in an unpopulated area of giving in the region under covered by national funders. It’s also an accessible funder, but since funds derive from state funds, there’s some red tape here.
PROFILE: Established by the Minnesota State Legislature in 1903, the Minnesota State Arts Board seeks to “advance the interest of the arts, develop the influence of art in education, and promote and encourage the performing and fine arts in Minnesota.” It provides support the arts through a series of grants for both organizations and individual artists.
Grants for Visual Arts, Music, Theater, Dance, Film, Writing, and Arts Education
The Minnesota State Arts Board makes grants to both individual artists and arts organizations. Among the programs supporting only individuals, the Artist Initiative Grant Program supports Minnesota artists’ professional and artistic development. Grants fund “projects that will enhance or expand the applicant's artistic skills or process and advance the applicant's career by helping the artist generate greater visibility with and exposure to potential audiences.” Grant amounts range from $2,000 to $10,000. Different artistic disciplines have different deadlines, so grant seekers should be sure to check the Calendar page for their deadline.
Creative Support for Individuals grants “are meant to help artists and culture bearers adapt to a changing and challenging environment in which to work.” Grant amounts vary between $2,000 - $6,000. View eligibility requirements here.
Programs that support both individuals and organizations include Arts Access Grant Program, which supports long-term collaboration between arts organizations and traditionally underserved communities “to create and/or increase access to meaningful art experiences.” Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $75,000. Check eligibility requirements here.
Arts Learning Grant Program supports projects that facilitate lifelong learning in the arts. Projects must partner learners with skilled artists for high quality artistic experiences. Grants range from $5,000 to $100,000. Visit the program’s page for eligibility requirements and to apply.
Arts Tour Minnesota Grant Program seeks to fund projects that provide increased access to high quality arts experiences throughout the state. Grants support hosting organizations presenting tours by literary, visual, and performing artists. Grants range from $10,000 to $150,000 and cover up to 75% of the total cost.
Folk and Traditional Arts Grant Program supports programs that enrich communities by passing on, documenting, practicing, and sharing folk and traditional art forms. Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000. Check eligibility requirements here.
The Cultural Community Partnership Grant Program supports individual artists of color, at any stage of their career. It also funds 501(c)(3) organizations seeking to enhance the career of an artist of color. Grant amounts range from $1,000 to $8,000. Check eligibility requirements here.
Among the programs that only support arts organizations, the Community Arts Education Support Grant Program supports programs and organizations that provide Minnesotans with access to high quality community arts education opportunities. Grants range from $8,000 to $25,000. Visit the program’s page for eligibility requirements and to apply.
Creative Support for Organizations works to “help arts organizations and nonarts organizations that regularly offer arts programming as an integral part of their mission adapt to the changing environment caused by the global pandemic.” Grants may be used to support people and activities. Grant amounts range between $5,000 - $25,000. Check eligibility requirements here.
MN CARES Act Grants are backed by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and awards grants “to arts organizations across the state to help these entities, their employees, and their contracted artists and workers weather the economic hardships caused by the forced cancellation of their activities or closure of their operations due to the spread of COVID-19.” Grant amounts are fixed at $5,000 and $10,000 and are contingent upon the size of the applying organization’s operating budget.
Minnesota Festival Support Grant Program supports “festivals that celebrate the arts, build community, and expose communities to diverse art forms.” Grant amounts range from $5,000 to $50,000. Visit the program’s page for eligibility requirements and to apply.
Operating Support Grant Program supports established arts organizations that exhibit works of art, provide services for artists, and make arts education available to Minnesotans. Grant amounts range from $15,000 on up. Visit the program’s page for eligibility requirements and to apply.
Partners in Arts Participation Grant Program supports programs that increase opportunities for Minnesotans to participate in the arts, especially nonprofit health or human services organizations seeking “to integrate the arts into their programming or services.” Grants range from $5,000 to $25,000. Visit the program’s page for eligibility requirements and to apply.
New grant seekers can find a list of previous grantees here and a complete list of Minnesota’s regional arts councils and links to their websites here. Check the Calendar page for submission deadlines.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
