Funder: McKnight Foundation
Due Dates: October 1, 2025 | February 1, 2026 | April 1, 2026
Funding Amounts: Up to $3,600 per project; project must be completed within 14 months of the deadline.
Summary: Supports mid-career artists and culture bearers in east-central Minnesota for projects that enhance artistic skills, experimentation, collaboration, or art business development.
Key Information: Applicants must be permanent residents (6+ months) of Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine counties, or Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands.
Description
The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) Mid-Career Artist Grant, funded by the McKnight Foundation, provides financial support to mid-career artists and culture bearers committed to personal artistic growth. The grant is intended for specific art projects that enhance artistic skills, foster experimentation, support collaboration, or advance an art business career. Artists from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.
Projects may include the creation of new work, presentation of artwork (such as exhibitions or performances), or professional development activities (such as workshops or mentorships). The program aims to recognize and support artists who have established an independent body of work and are acknowledged by their peers and arts professionals.
Due Dates
- October 1, 2025
- February 1, 2026
- April 1, 2026
Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline date. The grant portal opens approximately 4 weeks before each deadline.
Funding Amount
- Maximum award: $3,600 per project
- No match is required, but matching funds are encouraged
- Projects must be completed within 14 months of the grant deadline
- Only one ECRAC artist award (Mid-Career Artist Grant or Essential Artist Award) may be received every two years
Eligibility
- Applicants must be mid-career artists or culture bearers recognized by peers and arts professionals, with a record of independent work, commissions, projects, or exhibitions.
- Must be a permanent resident (at least 6 months) of one of the following Minnesota counties: Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, or the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands.
- Must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Cannot have received ECRAC’s McKnight funding in the past two years.
- Must not have any outstanding or unacceptable final reports with ECRAC.
- Only one active ECRAC grant at a time (except for Resiliency Grants).
- Not eligible: students for in-school work, projects already underway, relocation projects, or those with overlapping Minnesota State Arts Board funding for the same project.
Application Process
- Review the ECRAC Mid-Career Artist Grant Guidelines (PDF).
- Prepare required materials: project description, budget, artistic résumé, work samples, and any relevant mentor or workshop details.
- Submit your application through the ECRAC Grant Portal.
- Applications can be saved and edited until submission.
- All materials must be submitted online; mailed or emailed applications are not accepted.
- Technical assistance is available from ECRAC staff before the technical assistance deadline (about 10 days before each grant deadline).
Additional Information
- Projects must not begin before the earliest allowable start date (typically 2–3 months after the deadline).
- Grant recipients must include the ECRAC logo and credit line in all publicity.
- Final reports are required within 30 days of project completion.
- Grants to individuals are subject to state and federal income tax.
- Special requirements apply for equipment purchases (must include a use plan and agreement not to sell without ECRAC approval).
External Links
Contact Information
For technical assistance or questions about eligibility, contact ECRAC well in advance of the deadline. Grant information sessions and workshops are available and strongly recommended.