Artist Equity Grant Program 2026

The Artist Equity Grant for Fiscal Year 2026, administered by the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC), aims to support the development and sustainability of Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color residing in Southwest Minnesota. The program emphasizes equity in the arts and seeks to reduce historical barriers by funding artists at any stage of their careers. Funded activities are intended to expand artistic skills, broaden audience reach, and enhance artists' ability to live and work creatively within the region. This grant is inclusive of all art forms and disciplines. Funded by The McKnight Foundation and Minnesota voters through a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund, the grant offers up to $4,000 per award. Acceptable uses of funds include supplies, equipment, childcare during artistic work, mentorship, workshops, facility rentals, website or portfolio development, framing, recording, and publishing costs. However, projects must begin after the designated start date, and expenditures prior to this date are not reimbursable. Eligible applicants must be 18 years or older, identify as artists of color or Indigenous, and be permanent residents of one of the 18 counties or 2 tribal nations within the SMAC service region. They must have lived in the region for at least six months before applying and remain residents throughout the contract period. Only one SMAC individual grant may be active at a time, and applicants with overdue reports are ineligible. The application process includes describing the project, providing a budget, resume or bio, and artistic samples. Applicants may also submit additional information about specific supplies or mentor qualifications. The application can be submitted online, by email, or via mail, and accommodations are available for alternate submission formats. Application deadlines for Round 1 are September 17, 2025, and for Round 2, February 11, 2026. Draft reviews must be requested by September 3, 2025, and January 28, 2026, respectively. Applications are evaluated on project feasibility (10%), artistic excellence (45%), and the project’s contribution to artistic growth (45%). Panel reviews are open to the public, though applicants must notify SMAC in advance to observe. Final decisions are made by the SMAC Board of Directors, and all applicants are notified by email. Appeals must be submitted within ten days if applicants believe procedures were not followed. Grantees must sign an electronic contract and submit a W-9 form to receive funds, which are disbursed in full within 30 days of the project start date. A final report is required within 60 days of project completion. Failure to report on time may result in penalties or affect future eligibility. Proper acknowledgment of funding sources is mandatory in all promotional materials.