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

January 15, 2026 (Full application) | May 15, 2026 (Final report)

$3,500 per award; up to $5,000 lifetime cap per artist

Supports outstanding artists in Minnesota’s Region 7W to foster creative growth and recognize artistic achievement.

Applicants must reside in Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties for at least six months.

--- ## Description The Individual Artist Award is designed to recognize, celebrate, and support outstanding artists living in Minnesota’s Region 7W (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties). The award aims to foster continued creative growth by providing recipients with resources to advance their artistic practice, and highlights the contributions of individual artists to the cultural vitality of their communities. Funding is provided by the McKnight Foundation and administered by the Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB). Artists working in all disciplines and at various career stages are encouraged to apply. --- ## Due Dates - **Full Application Deadline:** January 15, 2026 (applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm) - **Final Report Due:** May 15, 2026 (required for award recipients) --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Amount:** $3,500 per recipient - **Lifetime Cap:** Artists may receive up to $5,000 in Individual Artist Awards in their lifetime --- ## Eligibility - Must be a self-proclaimed artist at least 18 years of age - Must be a current resident of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright County, Minnesota, and have lived in Minnesota for at least six months before applying - Must be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident alien status - Artists who have already received $5,000 in Individual Artist Awards from CMAB are ineligible - Applicants with overdue final reports on any CMAB grant are ineligible Artists from all disciplines (visual arts, literature, music, dance, performance, etc.) are encouraged to apply. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted online via the [CMAB Grants Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=centralmnartsboard) by 11:59 pm on the deadline date - First-time applicants must create an account; use your last name as your organization name - Application materials include: - Artist statement - Process and technique description - Work samples (created within the past five years; specific format requirements apply for each medium) - Data collection questions (demographics, discipline, etc.) - Work samples must follow specific guidelines for file type, length, and format (see [guidelines PDF](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/FY26_IAA_Guidelines.pdf)) - Applications are reviewed based on artistic merit and quality; a minimum average score of 15.0 (out of 30) is required for funding consideration - Awardees must sign a contract within 30 days of notification and submit a final report by May 15, 2026 --- ## Additional Information - Applications received after the deadline are ineligible and will not be reviewed; no exceptions - Awardees are responsible for any taxes owed (IRS form 1099 will be issued for awards totaling $600+) - CMAB can provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with accessibility needs (contact at least 10 business days in advance) - All review meetings are open to the public - Appeals can be filed if procedures were not followed or policies were not equitable (not for artistic merit decisions) --- ## External Links - [Program Details & Application](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/grants/for-artists/grants-for-individuals/) - [FY26 Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/FY26_IAA_Guidelines.pdf) - [Apply / Grant Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=centralmnartsboard) - [Applicant Tutorial (YouTube)](https://youtu.be/rQ8z7agUGWc?si=lJjupfhJ_sQN1kKz) - [Contact Central MN Arts Board](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/contact) - [McKnight Foundation Arts Program](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/arts/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |---------------------|--------------------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------| | Leslie Hanlon | Executive Director | [leslie.hanlon@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:leslie.hanlon@centralmnartsboard.org) | 320-968-4290 | | Kaitlin Pohland | Grant Manager | [kaitlin@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:kaitlin@centralmnartsboard.org) | 320-968-4290 | | Su Legatt | Program Officer | [Su@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:Su@centralmnartsboard.org) | 320-968-4290 | | General Inquiries | - | [media@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:media@centralmnartsboard.org) | 1-866-825-1471 | For technical help or accessibility accommodations, contact the CMAB office at least 10 business days before the deadline. ---

Individual Artist Award

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