Arts Equipment for Schools
Arts Equipment for Schools supports northwest Minnesota school arts departments with equipment for visual, performing, media, and writing arts to strengthen repeated student learning and community arts use.
Funder: McKnight Foundation
Due Dates: October 31, 2026 (Competitive review) | November 1, 2026 (Guidelines deadline) | April 30, 2027 (Final rolling close, subject to available funds)
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match
Summary: Supports schools in northwest Minnesota purchasing equipment for visual, performing, media, and creative writing arts.
Key Information: Schools must have a permanent legal address in NWMAC’s seven-county service region.
Description
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council (NWMAC) administers Arts Equipment for Schools to help school arts departments purchase artistic equipment. Supported by general allocation funds from the Minnesota State Legislature, the program covers equipment for visual art, performing art, media arts, and creative writing rather than general school purchases. Past purchases include lighting equipment, microphones, musical instruments, kilns, and display racks.
The program prioritizes equipment used by both the school and the surrounding community solely for arts purposes. Auditorium lights are one example of a shared-use purchase with a better chance of receiving support. Equipment should support repeated student learning, and applications describe the students served, the need for the purchase, and how the school will showcase it to parents and the community.
