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

September 18, 2024 | February 26, 2025

Up to $4,000 per project; one-year project period; two rounds per year.

Supports Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color in Southwest Minnesota to advance their artistic skills and careers.

Applicants must be permanent residents of the SW MN Arts Council region and at least 18 years old.

--- ## Description This grant program provides funding to Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color at any career stage for projects that foster artistic skill development, expand audiences, and increase the ability to live and work as an artist in Southwest Minnesota. All arts disciplines are eligible. The program aims to address historic inequities in arts funding and support artists in writing their own narratives by providing dedicated resources and recognition. --- ## Due Dates - **Round 1** - Request staff draft review by: September 4, 2024 - Application deadline: September 18, 2024 - Panel review: October 15, 2024 - Board action: October 22, 2024 - Earliest project start date: November 1, 2024 - **Round 2** - Request staff draft review by: February 12, 2025 - Application deadline: February 26, 2025 - Panel review: March 18, 2025 - Board action: March 25, 2025 - Earliest project start date: April 1, 2025 Projects must be completed by June 30, 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: **$4,000** per project - Funding is provided as a single payment upon contract signing and project start - Grant counts as taxable income --- ## Eligibility - **Who can apply:** Black, Indigenous, and other artists of color (including but not limited to African/African American, Afro Latino, Caribbean, Chicano/Mexican, Central/South American, Middle Eastern/North African, Southeast Asian/Asian/Pacific Islander, Dakota/Lakota, Hispanic/Latinx, Hmong, Karen, Micronesian, Somali, etc.) - **Geographic requirement:** Permanent residents of the SW MN Arts Council region (18 counties and 2 tribal nations: Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, Yellow Medicine, Pezihutazizi/Upper Sioux Community, Cansayapi/Lower Sioux Community) - **Residency:** At least 6 months prior to application and throughout the grant period; proof of residency required - **Age:** 18 years or older - **Other:** Only one pending SMAC grant request at a time; must be up to date on previous grant reporting **Ineligible activities** include projects without an art focus, for-profit ventures, degree requirements, curriculum development, fundraising, religious or political activities, and projects started before the grant period. --- ## 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 budget - Artist resume or bio - Work samples (attachments or links) - Optional: supplemental info on equipment, study opportunities, or mentor qualifications - **Application assistance:** - Staff draft review available if requested at least one week before the deadline - [Schedule a meeting with the grants administrator](https://calendly.com/carolinekoska-smac) - [Workshops, Q&A sessions, and open office hours](https://swmnarts.org/workshops-assistance/) - **Review process:** - Staff check for eligibility and completeness - Panel review based on feasibility, artistic excellence, and project’s contribution to artist’s growth - Board approval and notification by email --- ## Additional Information - **Eligible expenses:** Supplies, equipment, compensated time, childcare, research, mentorship, workshops/conferences, facility rental, website/portfolio, framing, recording, editing, publishing, etc. - **Reporting:** Final report due within 60 days of project completion; failure to report may affect future eligibility - **Acknowledgement:** Grantees must credit the McKnight Foundation and the SW MN Arts Council in all publicity --- ## External Links - [Program Details & Guidelines (SW MN Arts Council)](https://swmnarts.org/grants-for-individual-artists/artist-equity-grants-2/) - [FY 2025 Artist Equity Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/FY25-AE-Guidelines.pdf) - [Application Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=smahc) - [Application Questions (Word)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY25-AE-App-Questions.docx) - [Scoring Criteria](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY25-AE-Criteria.pdf) - [Scoring Rubric](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/FY25-AE-Scoring-Rubric.pdf) - [Workshops & Assistance](https://swmnarts.org/workshops-assistance/) - [Video Tutorial for Online Grant System](https://support.foundant.com/hc/en-us/articles/4479853059991) - [FY25 Grants for Artists – YouTube Overview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5saO__CKik) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | Scheduling Link | |---------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Caroline Koska | Grants Administrator | [info@swmnarts.org](mailto:info@swmnarts.org) | 800-622-5284 / 507-537-1471 | [Schedule a meeting](https://calendly.com/carolinekoska-smac) | | SW MN Arts Council | General Inquiries | [info@swmnarts.org](mailto:info@swmnarts.org) | 800-622-5284 / 507-537-1471 | | | McKnight Foundation | Funder | [Contact Form](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) | +1 612-333-4220 | |

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