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

April 2026 (application deadline, projected)

Up to $3,000 per award; typically one-year projects; total program funds and award size may vary annually.

Supports individual artists in the Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) region for projects that advance artistic careers and professional growth.

Grant is forecasted; all dates are projected and subject to change.

--- ## Description This grant supports individual artists residing in the Lake Region Arts Council (LRAC) nine-county region of Minnesota by funding activities and projects that promote career development and artistic achievement. Open to artists across all disciplines—including literary, music, performance, and visual arts—the program seeks to fund projects that will significantly contribute to the artist’s professional growth. Eligible projects may include training, production, presentation, acquisition of supplies or equipment, or creative time and travel. The grant is made possible by the McKnight Foundation and administered through a structured application and review process, emphasizing artistic excellence and a clear impact on the artist’s career trajectory. --- ## Due Dates - April 2026 (anticipated/projected 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 applicant (recent guidelines and web sources reference both $2,000 and $3,000; confirm with the program page for the current cycle) - Project duration: Up to 12 months from project start date - Typical disbursement: 80% upon contract, 20% upon final report approval - Total available funds per cycle: Subject to change --- ## Eligibility Applicants must: - Be a practicing artist (any discipline: literary, music, performance, visual, etc.) - 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 - Be at least 18 years old - Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident - Submit a complete online application with all required documents and work samples Additional restrictions: - Cannot have received a Career Development Grant within the past 3 years, Artist Quick Start Grant within the past 12 months, or Fellowship Grant within the past 5 years - Must not have overdue final reports from previous LRAC grants - Cannot be an LRAC employee, contractor, board member, or immediate family member of such Project eligibility: - Must be a specific project with clear impact on artistic growth (not unrestricted support) - Must focus on fine arts - Ineligible expenses include: tuition for credit, routine completion of prior work, general travel/living expenses without artistic focus, projects with prior Minnesota State Arts Board funding, and activities begun before grant contract is signed --- ## Application Process - Review the [Career Development Grant Guidelines](https://lrac4.org/s/FY25-Career-Development-Grant-Guidelines.pdf) for detailed instructions - Create an account and apply via the LRAC Foundant online grant system (see [LRAC Individual Grants page](https://lrac4.org/individual-grants)) - Required materials: artist resume or bio, relevant work samples (visual images, literary samples, music/performance recordings), supply/equipment quotes if over $500, and other supporting documents as specified - Submit the application by the deadline (anticipated April 2026) - Applications are reviewed for eligibility and completeness; corrections may be requested by staff within a week of notification - Applications are scored based on artistic quality, professional growth, and commitment; average score of at least 65% is required for funding --- ## Additional Information - Funds must be used only for the approved project - Projects must be completed within 12 months of the start date - Grantees must credit LRAC and the McKnight Foundation in all publicity - Final report (with documentation) due within 30 days of project completion - Any significant project changes require prior written approval --- ## External Links - [McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org) - [Lake Region Arts Council Individual Grants](https://lrac4.org/individual-grants) - [Career Development Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://lrac4.org/s/FY25-Career-Development-Grant-Guidelines.pdf) - [Grant Management – LRAC](http://www.LRAC4.org/grant-management) - [LRAC Contact Page](https://lrac4.org/contact) - [Grant Calendar & Deadlines (PDF)](https://lrac4.org/s/LRAC-Grant-Calendar-FY26-Draft.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |--------------------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Lake Region Arts Council | 133 South Mill Street, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 | | Phone | [218-739-5780](tel:2187395780) / [888-735-9622](tel:+18887359622) | | Email | [lrac4@lracgrants.org](mailto:lrac4@lracgrants.org) | | Office Hours | Mon–Thu 9am–3pm; Fri–Sun CLOSED | | McKnight Foundation | [Contact Page](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) | ---

Career Development Grant

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