2026 Art Project Grant Program

The Art Project Grant program, administered by the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC), is designed to foster the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts within the southwest Minnesota region. Funded through legislative appropriations from the state’s arts and cultural heritage fund and general fund, this grant is available from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The purpose of the program is to support community arts projects including but not limited to public performances, visual art exhibitions, author readings, community arts classes (excluding in-school programs), public art installations, and arts festivals. Grants of up to $10,000 are awarded, and applicants may allocate up to 40% of their grant request for prorated operating expenses such as rent, utilities, or staff time, if they are not eligible for the Minnesota State Arts Board’s Operating Support grant. Notably, organizations already receiving SMAC operating support for the same period or non-arts organizations cannot include these expenses. The total amount an organization can receive from SMAC in one fiscal year is capped at $20,000. The application is open to nonprofit organizations recognized under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS code, as well as official government units and public schools with community-focused projects. Applicants must be located within SMAC’s eighteen-county service region or two tribal nations (Upper Sioux and Lower Sioux Communities). Newly formed groups without nonprofit status may apply through a fiscal sponsor that meets SMAC's eligibility requirements. Applications undergo a detailed review process involving eligibility checks and evaluations by a panel of arts and nonprofit professionals. This review includes scoring based on artistic quality, community impact, outreach to underserved populations, and organizational capability. Priority points are awarded to first-time applicants, those serving or led by underrepresented communities, and those from counties with historically low SMAC grant activity. Deadlines are divided into three application rounds, with earliest project start dates ranging from September 1, 2025, to May 1, 2026. Application submissions must include artist resumes, samples of work, budgets, board lists, and fiscal agreements if applicable. Projects must end by June 30, 2027. SMAC requires all grantees to acknowledge financial support in publicity materials and to submit a final report within 60 days of project completion. For assistance, applicants may contact SMAC by email at [email protected] or by phone at 507-537-1471 or 800-622-5284.