Small Arts Project and School Arts Project Grant

The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council is currently accepting applications for its Small Arts Project and School Arts Project Grant. This funding opportunity is designed to support arts activities within specific counties in Minnesota, including Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan. The grants aim to enhance community engagement through the arts by providing financial assistance to eligible organizations and schools that are involved in artistic endeavors. The purpose of the Small Arts Project Grant is to provide funding for organizations that are directly engaged in creating art, producing artistic performances, or sponsoring quality arts activities. Eligible projects may include arts and music festivals, community bands and choirs, theater events, dance performances, literary readings, and visual art exhibitions. Grants for this category can be as much as $2,500, with projects specifically benefiting underserved groups eligible for up to $4,000. The School Arts Project Grant, on the other hand, is aimed at public and private K-12 schools, providing up to $2,500 for activities such as residencies, live performances, mini-workshops, or arts-related field trips. To be eligible for the School Arts Project Grant, schools must provide arts programming within the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council region. This includes all public and private non-parochial elementary, middle, and secondary schools in the nine-county area. Collaboration between parochial and public schools is encouraged, allowing public schools to apply and include parochial students in their proposed arts activities. For the Small Arts Project Grant, eligible applicants include non-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) arts organizations, non-profit community groups, public organizations, and units of government that produce or sponsor arts activities within the region. Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) may apply with a fiscal sponsor. The application process requires that all applicants submit their proposals by the deadline of March 1, 2025. Specific submission requirements include providing detailed information about the proposed project, its objectives, and how it will benefit the community. Applications from individuals or businesses are not eligible, and all applicants must demonstrate their commitment to arts programming within the designated counties. Evaluation criteria for the grants will focus on the quality of the proposed project, its potential impact on the community, and the applicant's ability to successfully execute the project. The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council will assess how well the project aligns with the goals of enhancing arts access and engagement in the region. Important dates to note include the application deadline of March 1, 2025. Interested applicants are encouraged to visit the Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council website for more information and to access the application materials. For any inquiries, applicants can contact the council via email or phone. This grant opportunity represents a valuable resource for organizations and schools looking to enrich their communities through the arts.