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

April 15, 2026 (FY 2026 nomination deadline) | April 15, 2018 (FY 2018 nomination deadline)

$5,000 award; given biennially to one artist

Biennial award recognizing an individual artist for significant, high-quality contributions to the arts in the SMAC region.

--- ## Description The Prairie Star Award is a biennial honor presented to an individual artist whose body of work has made a significant and lasting contribution to the arts within the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC) region. The award celebrates artists recognized by their peers and who exemplify the highest quality of artistic achievement. By publicly acknowledging these individuals, the program aims to elevate the profile of the arts both within their communities and across the SMAC region. --- ## Due Dates - April 15, 2026: Nomination deadline for the Prairie Star Award (FY 2026) - April 15, 2018: Nomination deadline for the Prairie Star Award (FY 2018) SMAC Board action regarding nominations will typically occur in late April of the award year. --- ## Funding Amount - $5,000 cash award to a single recipient - Awarded every other year (biennially) --- ## Eligibility - Nominee must be an individual artist whose body of work has significantly contributed to the arts in the SMAC region. - The nominee must have resided in the SMAC region for at least one year. - The award can be received only once in a lifetime. - Current SMAC board members are not eligible. - Nominations must be made by someone other than the nominee. - Nominations do not carry over; previous nominees must be re-nominated. --- ## Application Process 1. **Nomination Submission**: Nominations must be submitted online via the [SMAC grant system](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=SMAHC). 2. **Required Materials**: - Resume or background information of the nominated artist - Work samples demonstrating the artist's quality (see guidelines for formats and limits) - At least two letters of recommendation from the nominee's artistic peers 3. **Supporting Documents**: Uploads should be in PDF or JPEG format where possible; a "Fax-to-File" tool is available if needed. 4. **Certification**: The nominator must certify the accuracy of the nomination and provide an electronic signature. For detailed nomination guidelines and questions, see the [Nomination Guidelines & Questions (FY26)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY26-PS-Guidelines-Questions.docx). --- ## Additional Information - Past recipients represent a wide range of artistic disciplines, including visual arts, music, literature, pottery, and more. - The Prairie Star Award is distinct from the Prairie Disciple Award, which recognizes arts advocates and educators. - The winner is publicly recognized to help raise the profile of the arts in southwest Minnesota. --- ## External Links - [Prairie Star Award Program Page](https://swmnarts.org/prairie-star-award/) - [Special Awards Overview (SMAC)](https://swmnarts.org/special-awards/) - [Online Grant System Login](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=SMAHC) - [Nomination Guidelines & Questions (FY26)](https://swmnarts.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/FY26-PS-Guidelines-Questions.docx) - [Contact SMAC](https://swmnarts.org/contact-us/) --- ## Contact Information | Organization | Website | Phone | Address | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | McKnight Foundation | [mcknight.org](https://www.mcknight.org) | +1 612-333-4220 | 710 South 2nd Street, Suite 400, Minneapolis, MN 55401, USA | | Southwest MN Arts Council (SMAC) | [swmnarts.org](https://swmnarts.org/contact-us/) | (See website) | 509 West Main Street, PO Box 55, Marshall, MN 56258 |

Prairie Star Award

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