Art Project Grant for Individuals

The Individual Art Project Grant, administered by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council (ARAC), offers financial support to individual artists residing in the Arrowhead Region of Minnesota. With a maximum award of $4,000, the grant is designed to foster artistic creativity and enrich local communities through projects that are meaningful to both the artist and the public. ARAC’s funding comes from appropriations by the Minnesota State Legislature, drawing from the State’s General Fund and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) established by the 2008 Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. This amendment earmarks a portion of sales tax revenue to fund arts initiatives statewide. ARAC also benefits from a grant by The McKnight Foundation, making the Individual Art Project Grant part of a broader initiative to democratize access to public arts funding across Minnesota’s diverse populations. This grant supports a wide range of artistic endeavors, including but not limited to the creation, performance, exhibition, or publication of artistic works. Additional eligible activities include organizing arts events, workshops, and festivals, participating in non-academic arts learning, offering non-academic arts education, and engaging in professional development opportunities. However, the program has specific restrictions on fund use: expenses such as capital improvements (unless for ADA accessibility), for-profit business costs, permanent equipment purchases, and activities conducted under business names or outside Minnesota are ineligible. The use of Artificial Intelligence to generate artwork or written proposals is also explicitly prohibited. Additionally, applicants may not use grant funds to cover activities completed before the project start date or after the grant period ends. Applicants must be individual artists, aged 18 or older, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents and have lived in ARAC’s seven-county service region or designated tribal nations for at least six months prior to the deadline. Those who identify as Black, Indigenous, People of Color, individuals with disabilities, military veterans, LGBTQIA2+ individuals, and those aged 65 or older are especially encouraged to apply. Artists must apply as individuals and not on behalf of businesses or organizations. To ensure broad and equitable distribution, ARAC includes additional scoring points for first-time applicants, members of priority groups, and those from rural areas with limited historical funding. The application process for the grant is structured and multi-phased. It begins with an open application window starting February 2, 2026, and closing on March 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Following submission, applications undergo an eligibility review and then are evaluated by a panel between April 20 and April 30, 2026. Applicants are notified of awards during the week of May 21, 2026. The earliest start date for funded projects is July 1, 2026, and all projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. Recipients are expected to retain records and receipts of grant-related activities for at least three years post-project and may be subject to audits. Evaluation criteria emphasize artistic vision, project impact, feasibility, and alignment with ARAC’s goal of serving underserved populations and promoting artistic diversity. The application must demonstrate how the project will benefit the artist and the community while meeting civil rights and accessibility requirements. Applications should include all components as specified in the guidelines. ARAC provides support throughout the application process, including accommodations for applicants with disabilities. For assistance, applicants are directed to contact [email protected] or call (218) 722-0952 during business hours.

Do not use AI-generated content; clearly demonstrate artistic vision, impact, and feasibility; emphasize community benefit; ensure accessibility and civil rights compliance.