Small Grants
This grant provides funding up to $1000 to any adult artists, in any arts discipline at any stage of their career. You are limited to receiving 1 small grant per fiscal year (July 1 - June 30, 2025). We have funding for 14 small grants per quarter in the remainder of fiscal year 2025.
This grant is intended to offer funding outside the timeframe of the 2 main rounds we offer.
This grant offers funding for costs associated with the exhibition, performance, or production of creative work, purchase of materials or equipment to create works of art, overcome a barrier to long term success, reach a new community or market, educational opportunities in the arts (excluding academic credit), and other opportunities to enhance your artistic development, such as working with a mentor artist, attending a conference, taking part in an artist residency program, or marketing yourself or your work.
Qualified applicants should apply regardless of their race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, national origin, status as a documented alien, or status as a qualified individual with a disability or protected veteran. Individuals who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, People with Disabilities, and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+) are encouraged to apply.
Important Dates for FY25:
Round 1
Open: January 1, 2025
Deadline: March 2, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Earliest Project Start Date: April 1, 2025
Maximum Award: $1,000
Round 2
Open: April 1, 2025
Deadline: June 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.
Earliest Project Start Date: July 1, 2025
Maximum Award: $1,000
Deadlines are firm, applicants are encouraged to finish in advance of the deadline, staff is available during normal business hours to assist. Email admin@aracouncil.org or grants@aracouncil.org with questions or to schedule an appointment for longer consultations.
The applicant must be a permanent resident (for at least 6 months) in Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, or St. Louis counties as well as the Fond du Lac , Grand Portage, Bois Forte, or Leech Lake (within Itasca county) nations.
The applicant must remain a resident of one of the above locations throughout the duration of their project.
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, or have attained permanent resident alien status.
The applicant must be at least eighteen years of age.
Use of the funds include, but are not limited to:
Costs associated with the exhibition, performance, or production of creative work
Purchase of supplies or equipment to create works of art
Educational opportunities in the arts (excluding academic credit)
Overcome a barrier to long term success
Reach a new community or market
To enhance your artistic development, such as working with a mentor artist
Attending a conference or workshop online or physically in MN
Taking part in an artist residency program in MN
Hiring as editor for line and copy editing or self-publishing service
Marketing yourself or your work
Artist payment/stipends; consultant fees; and/or contractual services
Payment to self for time spent related to the project
Transportation and lodging in Minnesota
Space/venue/equipment rental
Eligibility
Grant funds may NOT be used for:
Re-granting; activities that are principally recreational, therapeutic, or rehabilitative
Travel outside Minnesota
School programs previously supported by state funds
Activities not open to the general public
Capital improvements or purchases of permanent equipment
Contributions to any political party, organization, action committee, or lobbying
Religious socialization
Requirements for ALL grant recipients:
Must comply with Title VI, Section 601, of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which states that no persons, on the grounds of race, color, or national origin, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination related to, the arts
Must comply with Title IX, Section 1681 et seq. of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, Section 6101-6107, which prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex or age
Must maintain complete and accurate records of all activities connected with the grant
Must have filed satisfactory reporting with ARAC for the most recently completed fiscal year
Must file a final report in alignment with the program requirements. Failure to report may jeopardize any future grant being received by the organization and may result in the organization being required to repay grant funds
Must give credit to ARAC in accordance with the Logo Guidelines whenever and wherever credit is being given - https://aracouncil.org/logo-guidelines (Neglecting to do this may result in you having to return the funding)
Must seek permission from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council in writing if a significant change is made in any ARAC funded program or project, please contact grants@aracouncil.org
All applications are submitted via our secure online grants management system
Applicants are required to complete and submit their applications by electronic means, including the use of an electronic signature 4
If you don’t have access to a computer you can arrange a time to use a computer at the ARAC offices, or your local library
Please contact us before, or early in the round, if you need special assistance
Our staff is available to help you sort through your ideas, navigate through the application, provide feedback, and serve as a sounding board for all parts of the process
Note: requests for review and feedback must be made in writing BEFORE 10 business days out, February 17, from the deadline, March 2, 2025. Second round, May 19th is 10 days out from deadline of June 1, 2025
Requests made after this time are not guaranteed a response as we answer requests in the order received (Email requests to grants@aracouncil.org)
Late applications are the responsibility of the applicant and will not be accepted. We recommend submitting well before the deadline to avoid technical difficulties that may delay your submitting the application. There are no exceptions, applications are closed automatically at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 15, 2024
ADA requires that organizations make access to publicly funded projects available to people with disabilities Accessibility Resources:
Application Process
Artistic Vision (Inspiration), both of past work and of the proposal presented
Impact of the project on the artist’s career
Ability to carry out the project
For assistance in setting goals and evaluating outcomes, go to Getting Started with Program Evaluation https://gaarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/georgia-evaluation_final.pdf
(This is designed for organizations but can be applied to individuals as well. )
Criteria
How Does ARAC Choose Who Gets Funded?
Decisions about the small grants are made by ARAC staff to ensure a faster turnaround time.
Funding Source
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council’s Operating Support Grants are made possible through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and an appropriation from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s General Fund. In 2008, Minnesota voters passed a constitutional amendment creating a new 3/8-cent sales tax to support outdoor heritage, clean waters, sustainable drinking water, parks and trails, arts, history and cultural heritage projects and activities. This amendment is called the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. Of the total proceeds from the sales tax, 19.75% are dedicated to the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF). Those proceeds must be spent only on “…arts, arts education and arts access and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage.” A large amount of that funding has been allocated to the Minnesota State Arts Board, Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and the 10 other regional arts councils across the state. ACHF programming must be rooted in principles that guarantee the greatest positive impact with as many Minnesotans as possible and lead to the kind of social, cultural and economic development outlined in this vision. These principles are intended to inform decisions made by the Legislature regarding disbursement of the overall fund. Funding decisions [both at the appropriations level as well as at the grant-making level] will respect the constitutional requirement that ACHF funds not be a substitute for traditional sources of funding, including public operating and capital funds, both state and local. You can find more information on ACHF’s 25-Year plan here.