Artist Support Grants - McKnight Foundation
Artist Support Grants support individual artists through creative projects and professional development, helping them strengthen their artistic practice, overcome barriers, and advance their careers.
Funder: McKnight Foundation
Due Dates: November 6, 2026 (next monthly deadline) | First Friday monthly (rolling until funds are exhausted)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,000 for projects lasting no more than one calendar year; no match required
Summary: Supports individual artists’ creative projects and professional development that advance their artistic practice and careers.
Key Information: Applicants must have maintained their primary residence in the eligible central Minnesota region for at least six months.
Description
Funded by the McKnight Foundation and administered by the Five Wings Arts Council (FWAC), Artist Support Grants support artists in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties and the Leech Lake Reservation. The program funds projects and professional development within an artist’s discipline, helping artists create work and build the skills and knowledge needed to sustain their practice.
Projects should help artists overcome barriers to long-term success, professionalize or improve artistic output, strengthen artistic or career skills, complete a career milestone, or reach a new community or market. Support can include creative production, equipment essential to artistic development, mentoring, workshops, research, documentation, and promotion. Artists at any career stage may apply; art need not be their profession or primary livelihood.
