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

February 1, 2026 | April 1, 2026 | October 1, 2026 | February 1, 2027 | April 1, 2027

Up to $5,000 per grant; no match required; max two grants per school per fiscal year.

Supports enhancement of arts curriculum in Region 7E Minnesota schools through residencies, field trips, and special arts events.

Requires a public community component; only schools in Region 7E, MN are eligible.

--- ## Description This grant program is designed to enrich the existing arts curriculum in public or private non-parochial elementary, middle, secondary, charter, and community college schools located in Minnesota’s Region 7E (Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine Counties, and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands). Funding supports initiatives such as artist residencies, arts-related field trips, and special arts events or projects that supplement, rather than replace, core school programs. All funded projects must include a community component that is open and accessible to the public. The program prioritizes artistic excellence and encourages projects that foster inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility. --- ## Due Dates - February 1, 2026: Full application submission deadline (11:59 p.m.) - April 1, 2026: Full application submission deadline (11:59 p.m.) - October 1, 2026: Full application submission deadline (11:59 p.m.) - February 1, 2027: Full application submission deadline (11:59 p.m.) - April 1, 2027: Full application submission deadline (11:59 p.m.) Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date. Funded projects must begin at least 60 days after the deadline and be completed by June 30 of the following year. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $5,000 per grant - No matching funds required (match is encouraged but not mandatory) - Each school may receive up to two grants per ECRAC fiscal year (July 1–June 30) - Grants may cover 100% of total project expenses --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be public or private non-parochial schools (elementary, middle, secondary, charter, or community college) physically located in Region 7E (Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine Counties, and Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands). - Parochial (religious) schools are not eligible. - Projects must supplement, not supplant, existing curriculum and cannot have been funded by the school in the previous year. - Each school district may receive a maximum of two Art in Our Schools grants per year. - All projects must include a public, community-accessible component (e.g., art show, performance, demonstration). - All required attachments (project personnel résumés, board/advisory member lists, budgets, schedules, and certification page) must be submitted for eligibility. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the [ECRAC Grant Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ecrac). - The portal opens 4–6 weeks before each deadline. - Required attachments include: - Project and artist résumés - School board/advisory member information - Project budget and budget narrative - Annual department/school budget - Residency/field trip/special project schedule - Signed certification page - Incomplete applications or missing attachments will be deemed ineligible. - Technical assistance is available prior to the technical assistance deadline; early contact with ECRAC staff is recommended. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must be new or not previously funded by the school in the last school year. - No funds may be used for equipment purchases, travel outside Minnesota, construction, or routine school arts activities. - All grant-funded activities must be ADA accessible and open to the public. - A teacher must be present during all student activities. - Grantees must include required funding credit lines and logos in publicity and materials. - Final reports are required within 60 days of project completion, documenting outcomes and expenditures. --- ## External Links - [Art in Our Schools Grant Program Page](https://www.ecrac.org/grants/organization/art-our-schools-grant) - [ECRAC Grant Portal (Application Submission)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ecrac) - [FY 2026-2027 Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/ECRAC%20Art%20in%20Our%20Schools%20FY%202026-2027%20guidelines%20and%20instructions.pdf) - [Project Budget Template (XLSX)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/Budget%20Template%20-%20Art%20in%20Our%20Schools_1.xlsx) - [Residency Schedule Template (DOCX)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/Art%20in%20Our%20Schools%20Residency%20Schedule.docx) - [Field Trip Schedule Template (DOCX)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/Art%20in%20Our%20Schools%20Field%20Trip%20Schedule.docx) - [Certification Page (PDF)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/ECRAC%20Arts%20in%20Schools%20Certification%20-%20Org.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |---------------------------------|------------------------------------------| | Phone | 320-336-0200 | | Email | [grantinfo@ecrac.org](mailto:grantinfo@ecrac.org) | | Address | East Central Regional Arts Council, 540 Weber Ave S Suite 109, Hinckley, MN 55037 | | Website | [www.ecrac.org](https://www.ecrac.org) |

Art in Our Schools Grant

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