Flexible Support Grant Program

The Flexible Support grant, offered by the Metro Regional Arts Council (MRAC), aims to foster access to the arts for Minnesotans. This program aligns with a broader mission of sustaining and developing the arts within the community. It provides funding for a variety of activities including organizational operations, capacity building, and direct arts programming. By supporting these core functions, MRAC seeks to strengthen arts organizations and groups, ensuring they have the resources to continue their work and reach a wider audience. The foundation's strategic priority is clearly to enhance the arts ecosystem in the Twin Cities metropolitan area by providing essential financial support where it's most needed. The primary beneficiaries of this grant are arts organizations and groups, particularly those serving Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington counties in Minnesota. A significant focus is placed on equitable access, with a portion of the funding specifically earmarked for groups whose leadership is majority Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC); disabled people/people with disabilities; and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+). The impact goals include sustaining arts access, strengthening organizational capacity, and supporting diverse arts programming across the region. This targeted approach demonstrates a commitment to both broad community benefit and specific support for historically underserved communities in the arts. The program prioritizes activities that directly enhance arts access, such as covering operational costs like staff salaries and rent, supporting organizational development through rebranding or website building, purchasing equipment, making facility improvements, and funding specific arts events or series. The theory of change behind this grant is that by providing flexible financial support for these critical areas, arts organizations will be better equipped to not only survive but thrive, leading to a more vibrant and accessible arts landscape for all Minnesotans. This includes improving the infrastructure of arts organizations and directly funding the creation and presentation of artistic works. Expected outcomes include improved organizational stability for arts groups, increased capacity for program delivery, and a broader array of arts experiences available to Minnesotans. Measurable results could include the number of organizations supported, the types of projects undertaken, the number of people reached through arts programming, and, for specific demographic groups, an increase in the number of grants awarded and the maximum funding received ($25,000 for BIPOC/disabled/LGBTQIA2+ led groups versus $15,000 for others). The availability of approximately $4 million in funding underscores the significant investment MRAC is making to achieve these outcomes and further its strategic priorities.