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

September 2026 (Full application) | September 2026 (Draft review request)

Up to $3,500 per grant; project duration up to 12 months.

Supports schools and nonprofits in central Minnesota to host artist residencies that engage students through creative, hands-on activities.

This is a forecasted opportunity; all dates are projected and subject to change.

--- ## Description The Artist in Residence program, administered by the Central Minnesota Arts Board with funding from the McKnight Foundation, provides grants to schools and nonprofit organizations in Minnesota's Region 7W (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties) to support residencies led by professional artists. The program aims to enrich educational environments by integrating artistic experiences into curricula, balancing artist demonstrations with hands-on student activities, and fostering creativity and arts learning among participants. Residencies must include both direct arts learning for a core group and a community engagement component. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026: Full application submission deadline (anticipated/projected) - September 2026: Draft review request deadline (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum grant request: $3,500 per project - Projects must be completed within 12 months of board approval - Eligible expenses include artist fees, supplies, publicity, and limited travel (up to 10% of grant for out-of-state artists) - Grant cannot be used for regular staff salaries, equipment purchases, or activities outside Minnesota --- ## Eligibility Eligible applicants: - Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations - Community groups with nonprofit fiscal sponsorship - Public schools - Local government entities (city, township, county) Additional requirements: - Must serve and benefit residents of Region 7W (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties, MN) - Proposals must occur within or directly benefit Region 7W - Applicants must not have overdue final reports from previous CMAB grants Not eligible: - Individuals or for-profit businesses - Projects without an arts focus or those substituting for required K-12 arts curriculum - Proposals paying the same artist for more than two residencies with the same organization within five years --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online via the [CMAB Grants Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=centralmnartsboard) - Required materials include: - Examples of artistic merit (photos, video, audio, or written) - Artist resume or significant experience list - 501(c)(3) determination letter (if applicable) - Fiscal sponsor agreement (if applicable) - Applicants may request a draft review by CMAB staff at least two weeks prior to the deadline - Applications are reviewed and scored on artistic merit, demonstrated need, outcomes/evaluation, and organizational ability - Awardees must sign a contract within 30 days of notification and submit a final report within 60 days of project completion --- ## Additional Information - Projects must start after board approval and be completed within 12 months - Community engagement is required; the public must be informed of residency activities - Accessibility accommodations are available upon request - Grantees must acknowledge CMAB funding in all publicity - A minimum average score of 15 (out of 30) is required for funding consideration --- ## External Links - [Program Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FY26_ArtistInResidence_Guidelines.pdf) - [Program Guidelines (DOCX)](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FY26_ArtistInResidence_Guidelines.docx) - [Central MN Arts Board – Artist in Residence Program Page](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/grants/for-others/artist-in-residence/) - [CMAB Grants Portal (Apply)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=centralmnartsboard) - [Applicant Tutorial Video](https://youtu.be/rQ8z7agUGWc?si=lJjupfhJ_sQN1kKz) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |------------------|---------------------|------------------------------------------|---------------| | Kaitlin Pohland | Grant Manager | kaitlin@centralmnartsboard.org | 320-968-4290 | | Su Legatt | Program Officer | Su@centralmnartsboard.org | 320-968-4290 | | General Inquiries| - | [Contact Form](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/contact/contact-form-page/) | 1-866-825-1471 (toll free) | ---

Artist in Residence

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