Arts Access Grant

The Arts Access Grant for Organizations is administered by the Region 2 Arts Council and is funded through a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, supported by the voters of Minnesota. Region 2 Arts Council is dedicated to fostering creativity and supporting artistic expression throughout its five-county service area, including Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties. The Council upholds a culture of inclusivity, equity, respect, and curiosity, aiming to empower organizations to bring quality arts programming into community life. This grant is designed to support arts creation, production, and presentation projects that are accessible to the public and contribute meaningfully to community enrichment. The funding seeks to expand access to the arts by eliminating barriers and promoting inclusive, public-facing artistic activities. Eligible uses for grant funds include, but are not limited to, public art projects, arts festivals, field trips, workshops, exhibitions, performances, presentations, and guest artist engagements. Projects must be completed within a designated timeframe, with earliest start dates beginning January 30, 2026, and all activities completed by June 30, 2026. Applicants must be nonprofit organizations located within the eligible five-county area and may include arts organizations, public or charter schools, community education programs, higher education institutions, and local or tribal government entities. Fiscal sponsorship is allowed for groups without 501(c)(3) status, provided the sponsor is a Minnesota-based nonprofit or eligible public entity. Organizations that received a 2026 Season/Series Arts Support Grant in October 2025 are not eligible for this cycle. Moreover, no organization may receive more than two Arts Access Grant Awards per year, each for separate projects. The application process is conducted online and includes demographic questions for reporting purposes, as well as narrative and budget sections tied to scoring criteria. Applicants are required to submit work samples, resumes, and detailed cost breakdowns. Activities funded by this grant must not begin before the earliest start date, and expenses incurred prior to that date are not eligible for reimbursement. Furthermore, projects may not include prohibited activities such as fundraising, proselytizing, or legislative advocacy. Applications are due by November 15, 2025, at 11:59 PM. An online grant review session is scheduled for January 6, 2026, with award decisions finalized by January 15, 2026. The Region 2 Arts Council emphasizes fair review and encourages applicants to review its budget and eligibility guidelines carefully prior to submission. All eligible projects must demonstrate public benefit and accessibility and avoid overlapping funding with other R2AC grants or those exceeding state funding thresholds.

Avoid early project starts; ensure all activities are public-facing; carefully follow budget and eligibility rules