Applications are open for individual artist grants from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC), and the deadline is earlier than usual. It’s time to start writing your grant application!
Applications are open for arts grants to individuals from the seven-county Minnesota service area, including Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau counties. This year, individual Artist Grants for $5,000, $3,000, and $1,500 have a September 15 deadline, and then a January 15, 2027 deadline. These grants are awarded to performing artists, visual artists, media artists, and creative writing artists from the seven-county Minnesota service area.
Individuals must be out of high school and at least 18 years of age to be eligible. College tuition is not an eligible expense. This is the main category that individuals use to support their artistic business or advance their technical skills. This category is for non-hobby artists who make a substantial yearly income from their art. Grants are awarded annually, with $1,500 to four individuals, $3,000 to three individuals, and $5,000 to three individuals. Support for this program comes from The McKnight Foundation and the State of Minnesota.
Individuals absolutely must reside in the Northwest Minnesota region (for one year prior) and remain living in the region during their entire grant year (2027). For college students, your school or home mailing address must be in the region. You will have to show proof of residency, usually your driver’s license.
The NWMAC offers free grant writing sessions to help you write your grant application or to answer any questions. The upcoming session will be on Tuesday, September 1, at 3:30 p.m.
These free Grant Writing Workshops are on Zoom — contact the NWMAC office for a link. You can also come to their office in Warren to attend the grant-writing station. You must RSVP to attend! Email NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com to RSVP or with questions. Don’t let your questions about the grant process keep you from applying! NWMAC staff are here to help. This is a great opportunity to come to the office and work on your grant in their grant writing space. If you can’t attend this training session but would like assistance, please contact the office.
To learn more about these grant programs and start an application, visit www.NorthwestMinnesotaArtsCouncil.org. The grant application process is completely online, and NWMAC’s Director, Mara Hanel, can help walk you through using the grants portal to get accustomed to it. Please contact her at NWArtsCouncil@gmail.com, or call 218-745-8886, extension 1.
