Sudden Opportunity Grant

The Sudden Opportunity Grant is offered by the Region 2 Arts Council to support both individual artists and small arts organizations located in specific counties within Minnesota. The fund is designed to respond rapidly to time-sensitive needs or short-term opportunities in the arts and culture sectors. The Region 2 Arts Council oversees this initiative with a commitment to promoting creative activity within its service area, which includes Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, and Roseau Counties. This grant provides awards of up to $500 based on submitted cost estimates. Funds can be used to support essential travel within Minnesota, transportation costs, project-related supplies, minor equipment repair, participation in arts-related workshops or classes, and marketing of creative work. Academic-credit programs, personal vehicle repair, and activities already funded through other R2AC grants are explicitly ineligible. Grants are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, and applications are reviewed within two weeks of submission. Funding is renewed each quarter, and if funds are exhausted for a particular period, applicants are encouraged to reapply during the next quarter. The program is open to individual artists and culture bearers who are enrolled tribal members or descendants residing in eligible counties, as well as to organizations located in a defined subset of counties including Beltrami, Hubbard, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens or hold resident alien status. Organizations must operate with average annual expenses under $174,000 to be considered eligible. Additional criteria require that projects not serve as fundraising mechanisms or involve unreasonable fees for participating artists. Applications must be submitted online and include a detailed cost estimate justifying the request. The proposal must clearly articulate the urgent need for funding. Eligible applicants may not have received this grant within the past year. All awarded grantees must submit a final report within 45 days of project completion, including a breakdown of expenditures and the location of the funded activity. The grant is designed to be responsive and timely. Once an application is submitted, it is forwarded to the Executive Director and reviewed by the Grants Committee. Notification of approval or denial is issued within two weeks. The program does not maintain fixed application deadlines but instead operates on a rolling basis, meaning it remains open until quarterly funds are depleted. The Region 2 Arts Council provides assistance for eligibility questions via email and phone, ensuring access and support throughout the application process.

Apply early in the quarter before funds run out. Submit all required documentation to avoid delay.