Arts Access Grant
Arts Access Grant supports organizations’ new or expanded public arts programming to remove participation barriers and widen access for communities across five north-central Minnesota counties.
Funder: Region 2 Arts Council
Due Dates: November 15, 2026, 11:59 pm (Application) | January 5, 2027 (Review) | January 21, 2027 (Approval) | February 5, 2027 (Earliest start) | June 30, 2028 (Completion and approved report)
Funding Amounts: Up to $6,000 per award; up to two awards annually for different arts activities
Summary: Supports new or expanded public arts programming that removes participation barriers and strengthens arts access across five north-central Minnesota counties.
Key Information: Applicants must maintain a physical address in Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen County.
Description
Region 2 Arts Council’s Arts Access Grant supports the creation, production, and presentation of high-quality, accessible arts activities that embed the arts in community and public life. Supported activities include public art, arts festivals, guest artist engagements, field trips, workshops, exhibitions, presentations, and performances benefiting residents of its five-county service area.
Projects must reach wider audiences through new or expanded programming or accessibility initiatives, with participation extending beyond an organization’s own membership or institutional community. Funding prioritizes historically underrepresented artists and cultural communities, or access for youth and historically underserved audiences. Projects must establish measurable outcomes and an evaluation plan. The program is funded through a Minnesota legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
