Artist Growth Grant Program

The Artist Growth grant, offered by the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council, provides funding for artists at any stage of their careers residing in the Southwest Minnesota region. The program is designed to support projects that help artists improve their skills, expand their audience, and increase their ability to sustain a career in the arts. It accepts all artistic disciplines and aims to foster artistic growth and career development through a wide range of eligible project types. Eligible expenses for this grant include supplies and equipment, artist compensation or childcare while creating work, research activities, mentorships, workshops, conferences, space rental, website or portfolio development, and costs associated with framing, recording, and editing. The grant offers up to $4,000 per artist, and funding contributes to the artist’s taxable income. Funding is made possible through support from the McKnight Foundation and Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund. Applicants must reside in one of the 18 counties or two tribal communities served by the council for at least six months prior to applying and throughout the grant period. Artists must be 18 years or older and can only have one active grant at a time. Ineligible uses include projects without an arts focus, degree fulfillment, religious or political activities, fundraising events, and retroactive expenses. All funded projects must conclude by June 30, 2027. Applications can be submitted online, via email with a Word document, or by mail. The application consists of a detailed project description, artist resume or biography, a project budget, and samples of work. Optional supplemental materials can be included to strengthen the application. Prior to submission, applicants may request a staff review to confirm eligibility and completeness. The review process includes an eligibility check followed by a scoring panel evaluation based on feasibility, artistic excellence, and the project's contribution to the applicant's growth. Points are also awarded to first-time applicants, those from underrepresented communities, or counties with few prior grants. Final funding decisions are made by the SMAC Board. Successful applicants sign a contract and receive full disbursement of funds within 30 days of their project start date. Important deadlines vary by round. Round 1 has an application deadline of October 15, 2025, with projects starting no earlier than December 1, 2025. Round 2 closes on April 22, 2026, with a start date no earlier than June 1, 2026. A final report is due within 60 days of the project’s conclusion. For assistance, applicants can contact SMAC staff or schedule a meeting with the grants administrator.

Highlight artistic quality in work samples; Clearly explain growth goals and outcomes; Use staff draft review for feedback before final submission