McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies
The McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies support accomplished music creators from outside Minnesota to engage in community-focused artistic residencies within the state.
Funder: American Composers Forum
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (application deadline for McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies)
Funding Amounts: Two awards of $10,000 each, plus up to $3,000 for travel/lodging; residency is ~30 days over 18 months.
Summary: Supports accomplished music creators from outside Minnesota to engage in community-focused creative residencies within the state.
Key Information: Applications are not invited every year; check program page for current cycle status.
Description
The McKnight Visiting Composer Residencies, administered by the American Composers Forum, invite accomplished music creators living outside of Minnesota to spend approximately 30 days in the state over an 18-month period. The program is designed to foster artistic exploration and meaningful engagement with Minnesota communities, encouraging projects that respond to the unique qualities of local people and places. The emphasis is on community engagement and creative inquiry—creation of new work is welcome but not required. The program recognizes and supports artists and culture bearers who have demonstrated sustained achievement and high-level proficiency, including those from cultures where “artist” may not be the preferred term, but whose work centers on cultural transmission and preservation.
