ECRAC Art in Our Schools Grant

The Art in Our Schools Grant offered by the East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) is designed to enhance the existing arts curriculum within educational facilities throughout Region 7E of Minnesota, which includes the counties of Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine, along with the sovereign Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands. ECRAC operates as a nonprofit regional arts council supported by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature and The McKnight Foundation, delivering funding through a range of grant programs to artists, organizations, and institutions throughout the region. The purpose of the Art in Our Schools program is to fund artistic excellence by supplementing school arts programs with initiatives such as artist residencies, arts-related field trips, and special arts events. Grant funding of up to $5,000 is available per project, with no matching funds required, although matching contributions are encouraged. The program supports projects involving K-12 and community college students and may include student groups like drama clubs, gifted and talented cohorts, entire grade levels, or community education programming. Projects must include a public-facing component such as an exhibit, performance, or workshop. Eligible applicants are public and private non-parochial schools physically located in Region 7E. Each school may receive up to two Art in Our Schools grants per fiscal year. The program specifically excludes funding for projects already supported in the prior school year and prohibits use for routine school arts activities, capital improvements, travel outside Minnesota, and compensation for regular school staff. Applications must be submitted via the ECRAC online grant portal and include required documentation such as résumés, department budgets, field trip plans, and support materials. The grant portal opens approximately 4 to 6 weeks prior to each deadline. There are three annual deadlines: October 1, February 1, and April 1, for projects beginning at least 60 days after the deadline. Applications are reviewed based on artistic quality, planning, community impact, and equity. Evaluation of proposals considers artistic merit, applicant capacity, community need, and inclusive engagement. Projects must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility standards. Grantees must complete grant management training before receiving funds and submit final reports documenting budget and outcome evaluations. While the grant does not recur automatically, it is offered three times per year, and funding decisions typically occur 2–3 months after submission. For further guidance, applicants are encouraged to attend ECRAC workshops or contact staff for technical assistance before applying. Additional information and support documents are available at www.ecrac.org. Inquiries can be directed to [email protected] or 320-336-0200.

Projects must clearly demonstrate artistic merit and public accessibility; strong applications include clear alignment with curriculum, accessible public components, and documented community engagement; minimum review score of 20/36 required.