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

February 1, 2026 | April 1, 2026 | October 1, 2026

Up to $3,600 per project; no match required but encouraged; project duration up to 14 months.

Supports mid-career artists and culture bearers in Minnesota’s Region 7E for projects fostering artistic growth, experimentation, or career advancement.

--- ## Description The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) Mid-Career Artist Grant, funded by the McKnight Foundation, provides financial support for mid-career artists and culture bearers residing in Minnesota’s Region 7E (Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine counties, or Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands). The program is designed to help artists pursue specific projects that enhance their skills, enable artistic experimentation, foster collaboration, or advance their art business. All disciplines are eligible, and applicants must be recognized by peers and have a record of independent work, commissions, projects, or exhibitions. --- ## Due Dates - February 1, 2026 (applications due by 11:59 p.m.) - April 1, 2026 (applications due by 11:59 p.m.) - October 1, 2026 (applications due by 11:59 p.m.) Applications must be submitted online by the deadline. Project start dates must be at least two months after the application deadline, and projects must be completed within 14 months of the deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - Maximum request: **$3,600** per project. - No matching funds required, but a match is encouraged and demonstrates support for the proposal. - Funding may cover materials, time, training, mentorship, equipment (with restrictions), and project-related expenses. - Projects must be completed within 14 months of the grant deadline. --- ## 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 Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine counties, or 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 McKnight funding in the past two years. - Applicants must not have outstanding or unacceptable final reports with ECRAC. - Only one active ECRAC artist grant (Mid-Career Artist Grant or Essential Artist Award) at a time (except for Resiliency Grants). - Projects must not be underway before the allowable start date and must not duplicate funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board for the same project. - Not eligible for projects involving relocation outside Region 7E, tuition/degree work, or activities with excessive entry/exhibition fees. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted through the [ECRAC Grant Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ecrac). - The portal opens 4–6 weeks before each deadline. - Required materials include: artist résumé, project description, work samples, detailed budget (use provided [budget template](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/Budget%20Template%20-%20Mid-Career%20Artists_3.xlsx)), and any relevant documentation (e.g., mentor or workshop résumés, equipment use plan). - Review the [current grant guidelines (PDF)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/ECRAC%20Mid-Career%20Artist%20FY%202026-2027%20Grant%20Guidelines.pdf) before applying. - Applications are reviewed for artistic quality, project quality, and alignment with the artist’s résumé. - Notification of funding decisions is typically within 2–3 months after the deadline. --- ## Additional Information - Technical assistance is available from ECRAC staff prior to the technical assistance deadline (about two weeks before the application deadline). - Grantees must include ECRAC and McKnight Foundation credit lines and hashtags in all publicity. - Grant payments are made after contract execution; partial payments and stipulations may apply. - Final report is required within 30 days of project completion. --- ## External Links - [ECRAC Mid-Career Artist Grant Program Page](https://www.ecrac.org/grants/individual/ecrac-mid-career-artist-grant) - [ECRAC Grant Portal (Apply Online)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ecrac) - [Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/ECRAC%20Mid-Career%20Artist%20FY%202026-2027%20Grant%20Guidelines.pdf) - [Budget Template (XLSX)](https://www.ecrac.org/sites/default/files/Budget%20Template%20-%20Mid-Career%20Artists_3.xlsx) - [McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | ECRAC General Email | [grantinfo@ecrac.org](mailto:grantinfo@ecrac.org) | | Phone | 320-336-0200 | | ECRAC Office Address | 540 Weber Ave S, Suite 109, Hinckley, MN 55037 | | Website | [www.ecrac.org](https://www.ecrac.org) |

ECRAC Mid-Career Artist Grant

Sign in to see full grant listing