Prairie Star Award
The Prairie Star Award recognizes a Southwest Minnesota artist for exceptional artistic achievement and regional impact across any discipline.
Funder: McKnight Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2026 | April 2028
Funding Amounts: $5,000 per award; awarded every other year
Summary: Biennial recognition and support for a Southwest Minnesota artist with an outstanding body of work and significant career achievements.
Key Information: Nomination-based; only open every other year; for established SW MN artists.
Description
The Prairie Star Award is a biennial honor recognizing a Southwest Minnesota region artist for the exceptional artistic quality of their body of work and a substantial history of accomplishments, such as significant exhibitions, published works, or performances. The award celebrates sustained artistic excellence and regional impact over an extended career. It is intended to highlight artists whose work has garnered recognition from peers and the broader community within the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) region.
