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

April 2026 (Full application deadline, projected)

Up to $2,000 per applicant; total available funds approximately $20,000 per cycle; project duration up to 12 months.

Supports individual artists in the Lake Region Arts Council’s nine-county region for projects that foster artistic growth and career development.

All dates are projected; check the program page for updates.

--- ## Description The Career Development Grant is designed to support individual artists residing in the Lake Region Arts Council’s (LRAC) nine-county region. The grant aims to foster career development and artistic achievement by funding specific projects that expand an artist’s current work or launch them in new directions. Eligible activities include training, production or presentation, supplies, equipment, services, as well as creative time and travel, provided the primary focus is fine arts and the project contributes significantly to the artist’s growth. The program emphasizes artistic quality, professional growth, and a serious commitment to the arts. --- ## Due Dates - April 2026 (anticipated/projected full application deadline; application due by 5:00 pm) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum award: $2,000 per applicant per cycle. - Total available funds per cycle: approximately $20,000 (subject to change). - Projects must be completed within 12 months of the start date. - 80% of funds disbursed upon contract signing; remaining 20% upon approval of final report. --- ## Eligibility ### Applicant Eligibility - Must be a practicing artist (any discipline: literary, music, performance, visual arts, etc.). - Must be 18 years or older. - 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 US citizen or have permanent resident alien status. - Must submit a complete application with all required documents and work samples. ### Additional Restrictions Applicants are NOT eligible if they: - Have received a LRAC Artist Quick Start Grant within the last 12 months. - Have received a LRAC Career Development Grant within the last 3 years. - Have received a LRAC Fellowship Grant within the last 5 years. - Have outstanding LRAC final reports past due. - Are LRAC employees, contractors, Board members, or their immediate family. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online via the LRAC Foundant grant system. - Applicants must create an account and complete all required fields, attaching supporting documents and work samples. - Required work samples vary by discipline (e.g., visual images, literary samples, music/performance recordings). - Application must be submitted by 5:00 pm on the deadline date. - LRAC staff review applications for completeness and may request corrections within one week. - Applications are reviewed and scored by the LRAC Board based on artistic quality, professional growth, and commitment. - Notification of funding decisions is typically within two weeks after the review. --- ## Additional Information - Eligible expenses include: training, production/presentation costs, new work supplies, equipment (with quotes for items $500+), services, and creative time/travel. - Ineligible expenses include: college tuition/materials, routine work completion, curriculum/teaching materials, prior expenses, religious or political activities, non-art-focused travel, and projects benefiting secondary groups. - Projects must be new work or have a new focus/audience, and events must be open to the public. - Grant recipients must sign a contract, complete the project within 12 months, submit a final report with proof of expenses, and use the LRAC credit line in all publicity. - Significant project changes require prior approval. - Failure to submit final report or comply with requirements may result in ineligibility for future funding. --- ## External Links - [Career Development Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/586d9f8ee3df286381b4a20d/t/67a2787f7c0de7306b785922/1738700928023/FY25+Career+Development+Grant+Guidelines.pdf) - [Lake Region Arts Council – Individual Grants Page](https://lrac4.org/individual-grants) - [McKnight Foundation – Grant Seekers](https://www.mcknight.org/grants/for-grant-seekers/) - [LRAC Grant Calendar & Deadlines (PDF)](https://lrac4.org/s/LRAC-Grant-Calendar-FY26-Draft.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Organization | Phone | Email | Website | |-------------------------------|------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC)| 218-739-5780 | lrac4@lracgrants.org | [https://lrac4.org](https://lrac4.org) | | McKnight Foundation | +1 612-333-4220 | [Contact Form](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) | [https://www.mcknight.org](https://www.mcknight.org) | ---

Career Development Grant

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