[McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org)

Up to $500 per award; one-time grant for each eligible student.

Supports young artists (grades 5–12) in Southwest Minnesota to attend enrichment camps, specialty studies, or standard lessons (for income-eligible students).

Applicants must reside in the 18-county SW Minnesota region and be entering grades 5–12; monthly deadlines until funds are expended.

--- ## Description This grant program provides financial support for young artists entering grades 5 through 12 who reside in the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) region. The funding is intended to help students pursue enrichment camps, specialty art studies, or, for those who qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program, standard weekly lessons (such as piano or voice). All artistic disciplines are eligible, and the grant is designed to foster artistic growth through specific training opportunities with professional artists, workshops, or special classes. --- ## Due Dates - Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with deadlines on the **1st of each month from August 2024 through May 2025** (or until funds are expended). - Applicants are encouraged to request a staff draft review at least one week before the deadline. - Board decisions are made on the 4th Tuesday of each month. - The earliest project start date is the first day of the month following the application deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - **Maximum award:** $500 per student. - **Eligible expenses:** Tuition/fees for enrichment camps, specialty studies, or standard weekly lessons (for students qualifying for free/reduced lunch); art supplies for students attending a Minnesota public arts high school. - **Grant is one-time per eligible student per cycle.** --- ## Eligibility - **Residency:** Permanent residents of the 18-county SMAC region (Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, Yellow Medicine) or the Pezihutazizi/Upper Sioux and Cansayapi/Lower Sioux tribal communities. - **Age/Grade:** Students entering grades 5–12 in Fall 2025. - **Duration of residency:** At least six months prior to application and throughout the grant period. - **Income eligibility (for standard lessons):** Must qualify for the federal free or reduced lunch program. - **Other:** Only one pending SMAC grant request per individual at a time; children of SMAC board or staff are ineligible. **Ineligible activities include:** - Projects without an art focus - School/organization band or choir trips - Equipment not tied to the project - Degree requirements, tuition, or class projects - For-profit or mass-market projects - Fundraising, construction, or real estate - Activities for religious socialization or political lobbying --- ## Application Process - **How to apply:** - [Online grant system](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=smahc) - By email (Word document and attachments) to [info@swmnarts.org](mailto:info@swmnarts.org) - By mail (PO Box 55, Marshall, MN 56258) or arrange drop-off - **Required materials:** - Project description and answers to application questions - Samples of student’s work (attachments or links) - For mentorships: mentor’s work samples and letter of commitment - Project budget - **Assistance:** Staff are available for draft reviews and questions; accommodations available for applicants with disabilities. **Application resources:** - [FY 2025 Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY25-ASOY-Guidelines.pdf) - [Application Questions (Word)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY25-ASOY-App-Questions.docx) - [Scoring Criteria (PDF)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY25-ASOY-Criteria.pdf) - [Scoring Rubric (PDF)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY25-ASOY-Scoring-Rubric.pdf) - [Video Tutorial for Online Grant System](https://support.foundant.com/hc/en-us/articles/4479853059991) --- ## Additional Information - **Review process:** Applications are reviewed for eligibility, then scored by a panel based on student experience and project potential for artistic growth. - **Priority points:** Additional points for first-time applicants, those from underserved/underrepresented communities, or from counties with few prior grants. - **Notification:** Applicants are notified by email after board decisions. - **Reporting:** Final report due within 60 days of project completion. - **Grant funds:** 100% of the award is disbursed upon contract signing and project start. --- ## External Links - [Program Details & Application Portal (SW MN Arts Council)](https://swmnarts.org/grants-for-individual-artists/art-study-opportunity-for-youth-grants-2/) - [Online Grant System](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=smahc) - [FY 2025 Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY25-ASOY-Guidelines.pdf) - [Grant Workshops & Assistance](https://swmnarts.org/workshops-assistance/) - [McKnight Foundation Home](https://www.mcknight.org) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Scheduling/Info | |------------------------|------------------------------|-------------------|--------------------------------------------------| | SW MN Arts Council | [info@swmnarts.org](mailto:info@swmnarts.org) | 800-622-5284 or 507-537-1471 | [Schedule with Grants Administrator](https://calendly.com/carolinekoska-smac) | | Website | — | — | [swmnarts.org](https://swmnarts.org) |

Art Study Opportunity for Youth Grants

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