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

January 30, 2026 (References due) | February 5, 2026 (Full application due)

$2,000 per scholarship; up to four awards per individual over a lifetime

Supports first-time undergraduate students from Region 7W pursuing arts-related degrees with education costs.

Applicants must be residents of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright County in Minnesota.

--- ## Description This scholarship provides $2,000 to support individuals pursuing their first undergraduate degree in an arts-related field. Funded by the Minnesota State General Fund and administered by the Central Minnesota Arts Board, the award covers education costs that can be charged directly to an accredited institution, such as tuition, room and board, and books. Applicants must reside in Region 7W (Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright County) but may attend college or university anywhere. Individuals may apply annually and receive up to four scholarships in their lifetime. --- ## Due Dates - January 30, 2026: Deadline for three non-relative reference forms to be completed and submitted (must be done before submitting application) - February 5, 2026: Full application submission deadline (applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM on this date) --- ## Funding Amount - Each scholarship is $2,000. - Recipients may receive up to four scholarships in their lifetime (one per year). - Funds are paid directly to the accredited institution and can be used for tuition, room and board, books, and similar education expenses. --- ## Eligibility - Must be pursuing a first undergraduate degree in an arts-related field. - Must attend (or plan to attend) an accredited institution full-time. - Must be a current Minnesota resident of Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, or Wright County (Region 7W) for at least six months prior to application and maintain residency during the scholarship period. - U.S. citizens or permanent resident aliens. - Not eligible if: - You have previously completed an undergraduate degree. - You do not reside in Region 7W. - You have received four Student Arts Scholarships already. - You have overdue final reports from previous CMAB grants. --- ## Application Process - Create an account and apply through the [Central Minnesota Arts Board grants portal](https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=centralmnartsboard). - Required materials: - Most recent high school or unofficial college transcript (or equivalent) - Artist work samples with descriptions (see guidelines for accepted formats and types) - Three non-relative references (references must submit their forms online by January 30, 2026) - Applications must be submitted online by 11:59 PM on February 5, 2026. - Late or incomplete applications (including missing references) will not be reviewed. - Review criteria include Artistic Merit & Quality and Applicant Ability, evaluated by a panel. - Awardees must submit a signed contract and registration confirmation for funds to be disbursed. --- ## Additional Information - Applicants under 18 must provide parent/guardian contact information and signature. - The Central Minnesota Arts Board offers alternative formats and language assistance upon request (with advance notice). - All review meetings are open to the public. - Appeals may be filed if procedures were not followed, but not for merit-based decisions. - The Board may use submitted art samples for promotional purposes, but artists retain full copyright. --- ## External Links - [Scholarship program page](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/grants/for-artists/student-art-scholarship/) - [FY26 Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FY26_StudentArtScholarship_Guidelines.pdf) - [FY26 Guidelines (DOCX)](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/FY26_StudentArtScholarship_Guidelines.docx) - [Applicant tutorial video](https://youtu.be/rQ8z7agUGWc?si=lJjupfhJ_sQN1kKz) - [Central Minnesota Arts Board contact page](https://www.centralmnartsboard.org/contact) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |------------------|--------------------|-----------------------------------------|---------------| | Kaitlin Pohland | Grant Manager | [kaitlin@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:kaitlin@centralmnartsboard.org) | 320-968-4290 | | Su Legatt | Program Officer | [Su@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:Su@centralmnartsboard.org) | 320-968-4290 | | General Inquiries| - | [media@centralmnartsboard.org](mailto:media@centralmnartsboard.org) | 1-866-825-1471 | Office hours: Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM ---

Student Arts Scholarship

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