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

October 2026 (Full application/submission deadline for Mid-Career Project Grants, projected)

Five grants of $10,000 each; project period is 11 months (January–November).

Supports Minnesota-based mid-career public artists in creating new, accessible public artwork across all disciplines, with a focus on community engagement and diverse perspectives.

--- ## Description This grant supports Minnesota-based mid-career public artists in the creation of new, publicly accessible, temporary or permanent artwork in any artistic discipline. Projects can include performance, dance, storytelling, photography, film, sculpture, painting, and more. The program aims to enrich Minnesota communities through diverse, free, and accessible public art, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity—particularly supporting BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, womxn artists, immigrant artists, artists from rural areas, and artists with disabilities. Projects must be artist-initiated, secure site approval, and be original works developed during the grant period. The grant is intended to foster community engagement, artistic growth, and a wide range of creative expression in public spaces. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026 (anticipated/projected): Full application/submission deadline for Mid-Career Project Grants *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Five grants of $10,000 each are awarded annually. - Grant-funded project period: 11 months, typically January 1 – November 30. - No match required; projects may be additionally supported by public or nonprofit agencies or in-kind sources. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be mid-career public artists based in Minnesota, having physically lived in the state for 12 of the past 24 months, and must remain residents throughout the project period. - Mid-career artists are defined as those actively creating and exhibiting work for at least ten years, with a recognized body of work and some public or industry recognition. - Only one application per artist per annual cycle; not eligible if awarded a project grant in the previous year. - Projects must be original, artist-initiated, and not remounts, reinstallations, or continuations of previous/ongoing work. - Site approval documentation is required at the time of application. - Projects must be free and accessible to the public; no ticket sales or fees allowed. - Organizations, current students, and Forecast Public Art staff/board/partners/jury members are not eligible. - Private commissions are not eligible. - Former grantees with outstanding final reports are ineligible until reports are submitted and approved. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted online via [Submittable](https://forecastpublicart.submittable.com/submit) during the open application period. - Required materials include: - Project overview (75 words) - Project proposal (500 words) - Community connection (250 words) - Mid-career artist status statement (250 words) - Diversity of lived experience/perspective (250 words) - Artistic development/career impact (250 words) - Resume (2 pages max per team member) - Project budget (template available) - Written documentation of site approval - Work samples (up to 10 images or equivalent in video/audio/written work) - Work sample information - Video submissions are accepted. - Selection criteria: quality/clarity of proposal, value to artist’s development, community benefit, and quality of work samples. - Applicants are notified of funding decisions in December (following the deadline). --- ## Additional Information - Projects must be completed within the grant year (January–November). - The grant is designed to support new work, not the expansion of ongoing efforts. - Forecast offers professional development support, info sessions, and application tips for applicants. - Strong emphasis on equity, diversity, and supporting underrepresented artists. - [Grant writing tips](https://forecastpublicart.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/GrantWritingTips_2018.pdf) and [budget worksheet](https://forecastpublicart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PublicArtBudgetWorksheet.pdf) are available. --- ## External Links - [Grant Program Page](https://forecastpublicart.org/artist-support/mid-career-project-grant/) - [Public Artist Grants Overview](https://bit.ly/GrantsFPA) - [Online Application Portal (Submittable)](https://forecastpublicart.submittable.com/submit) - [Grant Writing Tips (PDF)](https://forecastpublicart.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/GrantWritingTips_2018.pdf) - [Sample Budget Worksheet (PDF)](https://forecastpublicart.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/PublicArtBudgetWorksheet.pdf) - [Info Session Video (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIWTldQ0Q30) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | Address | |-----------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|------------------|-----------------------------------------| | Jen Krava, Director of Learning, Grants & Research | jenk@forecastpublicart.org | (651) 641-1128 | 2380 Wycliff Street, Suite 200, St. Paul, MN 55114 | | General Inquiries (Forecast Public Art) | info@forecastpublicart.org | (651) 641-1128 | | | McKnight Foundation (funder) | [Contact form](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) | +1 612-333-4220 | 710 South 2nd Street, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401 | ---

Mid-Career Project Grants

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