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

October 2026

Two grants of $8,000 each; supports projects January–November of the grant year.

Supports early-career Minnesota-based artists to create new, original, publicly accessible art projects that reflect and engage the diversity of their communities.

Site approval documentation is required at application; only one application per artist per cycle.

--- ## Description This grant supports early-career artists based in Minnesota to create new, temporary or permanent public artworks anywhere in the state. Projects may encompass a wide range of public art media and practices—including murals, sculptures, performances, storytelling, sound and light installations, and more—with the aim of making art accessible to all community members. The program values diversity and is especially committed to supporting artists from BIPOC, Native, LGBTQIA+, womxn, immigrant, rural, and disabled communities. Projects must be artist-initiated, original, and site-specific, with written documentation of site approval required at the time of application. The grant is intended to foster artistic development, innovation, and meaningful community engagement. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026 (anticipated/projected; full application deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Two grants awarded annually, each for $8,000. - Funding period: January 1 – November 30 of the grant year. - Funds support the creation of new work; budgets must demonstrate completion within the grant amount. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be early-career artists with 2–10 years of generative experience (excluding time in degree programs or away from artistic practice for life circumstances). - Must be based in Minnesota, having physically lived in the state for at least 12 of the past 24 months, and remain a resident throughout the project period. - Applicants must not be currently enrolled students (K-12, undergraduate, or graduate). - Only one application per artist per annual cycle. - Projects must be original, artist-initiated, and not remounts, reinstallations, or continuations of previous/ongoing work. - Projects must be freely accessible to the public; no ticket sales or fees. - Organizations, staff, board, consulting partners, jury members, and previous grantees with outstanding final reports are not eligible. - Artists cannot receive project grants from Forecast in two consecutive years. - Site approval documentation is required at the time of application. --- ## Application Process - Applications are accepted only via the [Submittable online system](https://forecastpublicart.submittable.com/submit) during the open period. - Required materials: - Brief project overview (75 words) - Full proposal (500 words) - Statements on community connection, early-career status, career impact, and diversity of lived experience (each up to 250 words) - Resume (2 pages max; each team member if applicable) - Project budget (template available) - Written documentation of site approval - Work samples (up to 5 images or equivalent in video/audio/written work) - Work sample information (title, year, medium, location, etc.) - Applications may be submitted as video; instructions provided in the application portal. - Selection criteria include proposal clarity, value to artist's development, community benefit, and quality of work samples. --- ## Additional Information - Projects may receive additional support from public or nonprofit agencies or in-kind sources, but private commissions are not eligible. - Professional development support is provided to grantees during the grant period. - The program is committed to equity and encourages applications from artists reflecting Minnesota’s racial, cultural, gender, and geographic diversity. - For application assistance or questions, applicants can contact the grants team for support in English or other languages. --- ## External Links - [Program Page & Guidelines](https://forecastpublicart.org/artist-support/early-career-project-grant/) - [Apply via Submittable](https://forecastpublicart.submittable.com/submit) - [Forecast Public Art – Artist Grant Program Overview](https://forecastpublicart.org/consulting/artist-support/artist-grant-program/) - [Budget Template (PDF)](https://forecastpublicart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PublicArtBudgetWorksheet.pdf) - [Grant Writing Tips (PDF)](http://forecastpublicart.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/GrantWritingTips_2018.pdf) - [FAQs](https://forecastpublicart.org/artist-support/artist-grant-program/#faqs) - [McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Address | |------------------------|--------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------| | Forecast Public Art | info@forecastpublicart.org | (651) 641-1128 | 2380 Wycliff Street, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55114 | | Grants Program Contact | jenk@forecastpublicart.org | | | For further details, visit the [Forecast Public Art contact page](https://forecastpublicart.org/contact/).

Early-Career Artist Project Grant

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