Artist Equity Grant Program

The Artist Equity Grant offered by the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) is designed to support Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color residing in the 18-county region of Southwest Minnesota, including the Upper and Lower Sioux communities. This initiative aligns with SMAC’s mission to close access gaps in the arts and to support historically marginalized voices. Funded primarily through the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, the grant seeks to enhance artistic skills, expand audiences, and help recipients sustain a professional artistic career within the region. Eligible applicants may request up to $4,000 for a range of professional development and project-related expenses. These include but are not limited to, supplies, equipment, studio space rental, portfolio or website development, childcare during project execution, attending workshops, mentoring, and research. While comprehensive in allowable uses, the program excludes activities not centered in the arts, for-profit ventures, religious instruction, curriculum development for teaching credentials, and projects designed to repay prior debts or deficits. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have maintained permanent residency in the SMAC service region for at least six months. Proof of residency is required. Only one SMAC individual grant may be active at any time. Ineligibility also applies to SMAC board members, their households, and current grant panelists during their review term. Applications must be submitted via SMAC’s online portal, by email using a Word form, or by mail, with all required attachments including a budget, artist resume or bio, and samples of work. Accommodations for alternative formats are available upon request. Each application will be evaluated based on three criteria: project feasibility (10%), excellence of work (45%), and contribution to the artist’s professional growth (45%). Applicants must clearly articulate how the project fits their artistic vision and development goals. A review panel will assess eligible submissions and make recommendations to the SMAC Board of Directors for final approval. Notifications are sent via email after board action. Grant recipients are required to submit a final report within 60 days after project completion. For FY 2026, two application rounds are offered. The Round 1 deadline was September 17, 2025, with the earliest start date of November 1, 2025. Round 2 closes February 11, 2026, with an earliest start date of April 1, 2026. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. Grant contracts must be signed within 30 days of award notification, and funds will be disbursed in full after contract execution. Grant support must be acknowledged publicly using prescribed credit lines and logos. Contact Caroline Koska, SMAC Grants Administrator, at info@swmnarts.org or 800-622-5284 for questions or assistance.

Clearly demonstrate the artistic quality of past work, articulate personal and professional growth goals, and submit well-organized budgets to support feasibility scoring.