Artist Growth Grant Program 2026

The Artist Growth grant program for Fiscal Year 2026 is administered by the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) and funded through the McKnight Foundation and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. It is designed to support individual artists at any career stage who reside in the SW MN region. The grant aims to help artists enhance their skills, expand their audiences, and increase their capacity to sustain their careers as artists in the region. The grant supports a wide variety of arts disciplines and allowable expenses. Artists can request funding for project-specific costs such as purchasing supplies or equipment, compensating time or childcare during work on an artistic project, conducting research, engaging in mentorships, attending workshops or conferences, renting space for studios or presentations, producing websites or portfolios, framing, and editing or publishing work. The maximum grant award is $4,000, and funds are considered taxable income. Eligible applicants must be permanent residents of one of the 18 counties or 2 tribal nations within the SMAC region and have maintained residence for at least six months prior to applying. Applicants must be 18 years or older by the time they sign the grant contract. Applicants are limited to one active SMAC individual grant at a time and must not have any outstanding reports. Conflicts of interest exclude SMAC board members, certain relatives, and grant panelists from applying in specific rounds. Applications must be submitted through the SMAC online grant system, via email using a Word document, or through mail. Assistance is available, including draft reviews if requested by a specific deadline. Round 1 draft reviews are due by October 1, 2025, with final submissions due by October 15, 2025. Round 2 reviews are due by April 8, 2026, with submissions closing April 22, 2026. Notification dates follow panel and board reviews, and projects must begin no earlier than December 1, 2025, or June 1, 2026, depending on the round. All projects must conclude by June 30, 2027. Evaluation is based on three primary criteria: project feasibility (10%), artistic excellence (45%), and contribution to the artist's growth (45%). Additional points may be awarded for first-time applicants, applicants from underserved communities, or from underrepresented counties. Observing panel reviews is permitted with prior notice, though applicants must refrain from interacting with reviewers or board members during evaluation. Following award notification, grantees must sign a contract and submit a W-9 form. Full funding is distributed within 30 days of the project start date. Grant recipients must acknowledge SMAC and the McKnight Foundation in all promotional materials. A final report, including receipts and outcome assessments, is due within 60 days of project completion. Penalties apply for late or missing reports.