Arts in the Schools Grants
Arts in the Schools Grants support public schools and community education programs with artist residencies, arts field trips, and student exhibits to deepen arts learning and community involvement.
Funder: McKnight Foundation
Due Dates: November 1, 2026 (Monthly) | December 1, 2026 (Monthly) | January 1, 2027 (Monthly) | February 1, 2027 (Monthly) | March 1, 2027 (Monthly) | April 1, 2027 (Monthly) | May 1, 2027 (Final monthly)
Funding Amounts: Up to $4,000 per project; projects must conclude by June 30, 2028
Summary: Supports public schools and community education with school-related artist residencies, arts field trips, and juried student art exhibits.
Key Information: Applicants must serve the SMAC region, and projects must supplement—not replace—regular school arts programming.
Description
The Arts in the Schools program is administered by the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) for public schools and community education programs. It supports school-related arts experiences such as professional artist residencies involving in-depth student engagement, juried student art exhibits, and field trips to art galleries or professional performances. Projects may take place during the school year or summer.
The program emphasizes artistic quality, age-appropriate student learning, accessibility, and measurable improvements in students’ arts knowledge, skills, attitudes, or behaviors. Activities must be open to all students within a grade, subject discipline, or activity rather than selected students or an exclusive student organization. Community involvement broadens the project’s impact, for example through an exhibition, a Meet the Artist night, or a community education class.
