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

April 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)

Up to $3,000 per artist; typically one-year project period; total available funds may vary per cycle.

Supports individual artists in Minnesota’s LRAC region for projects that advance their careers and foster creative growth.

For individual artists in LRAC's nine-county region only; project must focus on fine arts and professional development.

--- ## Description The Career Development Grant, administered by the Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) with funding from the McKnight Foundation, provides financial support to individual artists in Minnesota’s LRAC nine-county region. The grant is designed to foster career growth and artistic achievement across all artistic disciplines—including literary, music, performance, and visual arts—by funding specific projects that expand an artist’s current work or launch new creative directions. Eligible activities include training, production or presentation of new work, acquisition of supplies or equipment, professional services, and creative time or travel. Projects must have a primary focus on fine arts and be intended to significantly advance the artist’s professional development. --- ## Due Dates - April 2026 (anticipated/projected full application deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: Up to $3,000 per artist per grant cycle (recent cycles have seen increases from $2,000 to $3,000; verify on the program page for the current limit) - Project period: Up to 12 months from the approved start date - Payment structure: 80% upon contract, 20% after final report approval - Total available funds per cycle may vary and are subject to change --- ## Eligibility ### Applicant Eligibility - Must be a practicing artist (any discipline: literary, music, performance, visual arts, etc.) - Must be at least 18 years old - Must have lived in the LRAC nine-county region (Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin counties) for at least six months - Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident - Must not have received: - An LRAC Artist Quick Start Grant in the past 12 months - An LRAC Career Development Grant in the past 3 years - An LRAC Fellowship Grant in the past 5 years - Must not have any overdue LRAC final reports - LRAC staff, board, contractors, and their immediate family members are ineligible ### Project Eligibility - Project must have a primary focus on fine arts and contribute significantly to the artist’s professional growth - Eligible expenses: training, workshops, master classes (not for academic credit), production/presentation, supplies, equipment (with restrictions), professional services, creative time, and travel for artistic purposes - Ineligible expenses: tuition/materials for academic credit, routine completion of past work, teaching programs, general travel/living expenses, projects already funded by the Minnesota State Arts Board, religious or political activities, and any activities started before grant approval --- ## Application Process - Review the [Career Development Grant Guidelines](https://lrac4.org/s/FY25-Career-Development-Grant-Guidelines.pdf) for detailed instructions - Applications are submitted online via the LRAC Foundant grant system; create a logon profile to begin - Submit all required supporting documents and work samples (requirements vary by discipline) - Applications are reviewed by LRAC staff for completeness and eligibility, and applicants may be asked to make corrections within a week of notification - Eligible applications are reviewed and scored by the LRAC Board based on artistic excellence, contribution to professional growth, and evidence of professional commitment - Notification of funding decision is typically within two weeks of the review meeting - If awarded, grantees must sign a contract and submit a W-9; 80% of funds are disbursed upfront, with the remaining 20% after submission and approval of the final report --- ## Additional Information - Projects must be completed within 12 months of the start date - All grant-funded events must be open to the public and not limited to select groups - Grantees are required to credit LRAC and the McKnight Foundation in all publicity and materials - Any significant project changes must be approved in advance by LRAC staff or Board - Failure to submit the final report within 30 days of project completion may result in ineligibility for future funding --- ## External Links - [Career Development Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://lrac4.org/s/FY25-Career-Development-Grant-Guidelines.pdf) - [LRAC Individual Grants Overview](https://lrac4.org/individual-grants) - [Lake Region Arts Council Home](https://lrac4.org) - [McKnight Foundation Home](https://www.mcknight.org) - [LRAC Grant Management Policies](http://www.LRAC4.org/grant-management) --- ## Contact Information | Organization | Contact Details | |-----------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Lake Region Arts Council | 133 South Mill Street, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 | | | Phone: (888) 735-9622 or (218) 739-5780 | | | Email: [lrac4@lracgrants.org](mailto:lrac4@lracgrants.org) | | McKnight Foundation | Phone: +1 612-333-4220 | | | [Contact Page](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) | ---

Career Development Grant

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