Arts in the Schools Grants

The Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) administers the Arts in the Schools Grant program to support arts-based programming within public schools located in its 18-county service area and two tribal nations in Southwest Minnesota. Eligible projects include artist residencies, juried student art exhibits, and arts field trips. The program aims to provide in-depth artistic engagement for students while also encouraging community involvement through events such as student exhibitions, meet-the-artist nights, or related education programming. Eligible applicants include public schools and community education organizations within SMAC’s region, which includes the counties of Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine, as well as the Pezihutazizi/Upper Sioux and Cansayapi/Lower Sioux tribal communities. Schools outside the geographic boundaries of SMAC are ineligible unless they serve students who reside within the region. Parochial schools are not eligible. Grants are awarded in amounts up to $4,000. Funding is provided through Minnesota's arts and cultural heritage fund and the general fund via state legislative appropriations. Funds may not be used for general school staffing (except substitute teachers for involved staff), out-of-state travel, or non-arts-related expenses. Projects may be implemented during the school year or summer but must be open to all students in a specific grade or subject, not to pre-selected groups. Applications are accepted monthly, on the 1st of each month from August 2025 through May 2026, or until funds are depleted. All applications are due by 4:00 PM on the deadline day. If approved, the earliest project start date is the 1st day of the following month. Board decisions occur on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and applicants are notified shortly thereafter. All projects must be completed by June 30, 2027. Applicants must submit a full project budget, artist bios or resumes, lesson plans (if applicable), work samples, and any evaluation tools. Applications are scored based on feasibility, artistic merit, and participant impact. Priority points are available to first-time applicants, underrepresented groups, and those from counties with fewer prior awards. Applications can be submitted online, via email, or by paper mail. SMAC offers draft reviews and technical support upon request. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact SMAC via email at info@swmnarts.org or by phone at 800-622-5284 or 507-537-1471.

Draft reviews are encouraged. Applications must include complete materials and meet monthly deadlines. Ineligible costs include out-of-state travel, school staff salaries, and non-arts supplies.