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

January 15, 2026 (Application) | February 19 or 20, 2026 (Panel Review) | March 12, 2026 (Board Review)

$3,500 per award; artists may receive up to $5,000 total in their lifetime.

Recognizes and supports outstanding artists in Minnesota’s Region 7W (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties) to foster creative growth.

--- ## Description The Individual Artist Award, funded by the McKnight Foundation and administered by the Central Minnesota Arts Board (CMAB), provides $3,500 grants to outstanding artists residing in Minnesota’s Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright counties (Region 7W). The award aims to recognize artistic achievement and encourage continued growth and creativity among artists at various career stages, supporting their contributions to the region’s cultural vitality. All artistic disciplines are eligible, including visual, literary, performing, interdisciplinary, and folk/traditional arts. --- ## Due Dates - **Application Deadline:** January 15, 2026 (11:59 pm) - **Panel Review:** February 19 or 20, 2026 - **Board Review:** March 12, 2026 (in person) --- ## Funding Amount - **Award Amount:** $3,500 per individual artist. - **Lifetime Limit:** Artists may receive up to $5,000 in Individual Artist Awards from CMAB during their lifetime. --- ## Eligibility Applicants must meet the following criteria: - Be a self-identified artist at least 18 years of age. - Be a current resident of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright County, Minnesota, and have lived in Minnesota for at least six months prior to application. - Be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien. - Artists who have already received $5,000 in Individual Artist Awards from CMAB are not eligible. - Applicants with overdue final reports on previous CMAB grants are ineligible. - All artistic disciplines and mediums are encouraged to apply. --- ## Application Process 1. **Prepare Application:** - Submit an online application via the [CMAB Grants Portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=centralmnartsboard). - First-time applicants must create an account. - Applicants are encouraged to contact the CMAB office to discuss eligibility. 2. **Application Components:** - Work samples (created within the past five years) demonstrating artistic ability (see guidelines for discipline-specific requirements). - Brief artist statement describing your work and artistic vision. - Description of process, technique, and tools used in your art. - Required demographic and discipline data for state reporting. 3. **Submission:** - Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on the deadline date. - Incomplete or late applications will not be reviewed. 4. **Review and Award:** - Applications are scored based on originality, technical skill, artistic vision, and the impact of work samples. - Panel and board meetings are open to the public. - Awardees must sign a contract within 30 days of notification and submit a final report by the specified deadline. 5. **Support:** - Reasonable accommodations (alternative formats, interpreters) available upon request at least 10 working days in advance. - [Applicant tutorial video](https://youtu.be/rQ8z7agUGWc?si=lJjupfhJ_sQN1kKz) available for guidance. --- ## Additional Information - Artists may apply in any discipline, including but not limited to: visual arts, music, dance, theater, literature, media arts, crafts, folk/traditional arts, and interdisciplinary forms. - Work samples must be original and not violate copyright. - Awardees are responsible for any taxes; those receiving $600 or more will receive an IRS form 1099. - Appeals are permitted only for procedural errors, not for disagreements on artistic merit or funding decisions. --- ## External Links - [Individual Artist Award Program Page (CMAB)](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/grants/for-artists/grants-for-individuals/) - [McKnight Foundation – Arts & Culture](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/arts/) - [CMAB Grants Portal (Apply/Manage)](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=centralmnartsboard) - [FY25 Individual Artist Award Guidelines (DOCX)](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FY25_IAA_Guidelines.docx) - [Applicant Tutorial Video](https://youtu.be/rQ8z7agUGWc?si=lJjupfhJ_sQN1kKz) - [Central MN Arts Board Grants Calendar](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/grants/calendar/) - [Sign Up for Regional Arts News](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/enews-sign-up/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |---------------------|---------------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------| | Central MN Arts Board | General Inquiries | [Contact Form](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/contact/contact-form-page/) | 320-968-4290 / 866-825-1471 | | Leslie Hanlon | Executive Director | [leslie.hanlon@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:leslie.hanlon@centralmnartsboard.org) | | | Kaitlin Pohland | Grant Manager | [kaitlin@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:kaitlin@centralmnartsboard.org) | | | Su Legatt | Program Officer | [Su@centralmnartsboard](mailto:Su@centralmnartsboard) | | | Melissa Marudas | Content Manager | [melissa@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:melissa@centralmnartsboard.org) | | - [CMAB Contact Page](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/contact) ---

Individual Artist Award - McKnight Foundation

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