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Organizations

Grant programs for organizations provide funds to stimulate and encourage the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts in the region and also to provide financial and technical assistance to aid in the organization’s stability or development.

Organization grants are made possible by the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund and an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund.

FY 2021 Grant Calendar

Going Virtual: Equipment, Technology & Training Grants

Provides up to $1,000 to arts organizations in the SMAC service region for equipment or technology that will allow them to provide virtual events and programming. Applicants can also use the funds to participate in “go-virtual” training or consultations. No cash match required.

Photo of a photography show. A middle aged man with light skin and hair is looking at a wall with many framed photographs hanging on it. Some photos have ribbons.

Art Project Grants

Provides organizations in the SMAC region with up to $7,000 in matching funds to stimulate and encourage the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts. No cash match required in fiscal year 2021.

Photograph taken in the late evening of an old tractor that has been converted to an art sculpture by the wheel and body being replaced with stained glass window art that is very colorful. Depicts abstract flowers. There is light behind it, making the portions that are glass light up.

Art Legacy Project Grants

Provides organizations in the SMAC region with up to $20,000 to stimulate and encourage the creation, performance and appreciation of the arts through large-scale projects that will leave an arts legacy in Southwest Minnesota. No cash match required in fiscal year 2021.

Outside mural on a building. The mural is comprised of many different squares done by the different artists, but all connecting into one picture of a historic building with lots of windows. These artwork squares are painted in different styles and color schemes.

Art Legacy Project Planning Grants

Provides organizations in the SMAC region with up to $2,500 to plan for a specific large-scale project or activity that will create or advance a strong arts legacy in Minnesota. No cash match required in fiscal year 2021.

Photo of people grouped at tables, discussing with each other. The table we can see the best has a printed text sign on the table that says "Arts Councils". There are approximately 30 people at the workshop, grouped at different tables.

Arts Organization Development Grants

Provides arts organization in the SMAC region up to $2,500 in matching funds to increase their long-term stability and capacity through organizational development and management projects. No cash match required in fiscal year 2021.

Photo of stage theatre lights. They are giving off shades of purple lights.

Equipment & Facilities Improvement Grants

Provides up to $10,000 in matching funds to arts organizations for the purchase of equipment items and facilities improvements that will strengthen the organization’s capacity to serve the arts needs of the SMAC region. No cash match required in fiscal year 2021.

A photograph of 7 people talking at a table during a workshop led by SMAC.

Arts Organization Start-Up Grants

Provides art organizations with at least two years of programming up to $2,000 to develop articles of incorporation, by-laws, and apply for their 501(c)(3) status. No cash match required.

There a a group of people (mixed ethnicities) sitting in a circle on chairs inside a meeting room. The speaker (who is also sitting) is talking animatedly with hands and the audience is mostly smiling in response.

Operating Support Grants

Two-year grants for arts organizations that have been designated by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) for a minimum of three years.

For organizations with an average operating budget of less than $25,000, this grant provides up to 35% of the organization’s average operating budget each of the two years. For organizations with an average operating budget more than $25,000, the grant provides up to 15% of the organization’s average operating budget each of the two years.