Projects may not be conducted under business names or structures. Individual applicants may not apply on behalf of a business or LLC. If funded, the W-9 form submitted must have the “Individual/Sole Proprietor” box checked in order to receive payment. 

• If the applicant uses an alternative/pen name, this is allowable in the application under “Organization Name”

• Contact info@aracouncil.org with any questions.

This grant is open to individual artists who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, People with Disabilities, people over 65, military veterans, and/or Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Agender, Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+)

• This grant is intended to provide funding to amplify these voices through projects and/or professional development

Applicant must be eighteen (18) years of age or older and be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status

Applicant/Organization must be a resident of the state of Minnesota, as determined by the address used for voting and the payment of taxes, and live in ARAC’s service region, consisting of the following seven (7) counties: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis, and/or one of the following four (4) tribal nations: the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe (District I)

Applicant must be a resident of ARAC’s service region for at least six (6) months prior to the deadline of this application, as well as throughout the duration of the project

Application must have arts and/or culture-bearing as the project’s primary focus

NEW! Project and reporting must be completed before the grant period’s latest project end date

NEW! Applicants may technically apply to multiple grant programs. However, only one (1) grant may be active at a time. If you are a returning applicant and have an open grant with ARAC, you must complete all funded activities and submit a final report through the Grant Portal before you can receive new funding.

• Does not apply to ARAC Operating Support grantees or first-time applicants

Project funds may not be used for any costs incurred before the grant period start date or after the end date

Project may not require artists to pay an unreasonable entry fee in order to sell, exhibit, perform, publish, or otherwise participate 

Project may not be primarily intended to raise funds for an organization, charity, or cause, or to start or build an endowment

Applicants may not be a current member of the ARAC staff, or a member of their immediate family. (Immediate family is defined as: spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, child’s spouse, brother, brother’s spouse, sister, or sister’s spouse)

Multiple applicants may not request funding to carry out the same or separate roles or activities within the same project or event

Returning applicants must have filed satisfactory final reports through the Grant Portal for all prior ARAC-funded projects

Applicant/project must maintain complete and accurate records of all activities connected with the grant for at least 3 years following the ending of the grant period in case of an audit

Applicant may not be in violation of any past contractual agreement with ARAC, such as an overdue final report from a previous ARAC grant 

Applicant must file a final report in alignment with the program requirements. Failure to report may jeopardize any future grants being received by the applicant from the MN State Arts Board (MSAB) or any other Regional Arts Councils (RACs) and may result in the applicant being required to repay grant funds, in order to reduce fraudulent grant activities

Applicant must not have failed to return grant funds to ARAC after having any ARAC grant contracts/agreements terminated or funding revoked

Applicant/project is required to abide by Acknowledgement Guidelines, giving credit to ARAC and the Funding Source online, in print, and in person whenever promoting the project

• Neglecting to do this may result in the grantee having to return the funding

Applicant must seek permission from ARAC in writing if a significant change is made in any funded program or project.

Changes such as vendor/partner updates, reporting extension requests and other unforeseen circumstances resulting in a change in the scope of work originally proposed.

Changes must be submitted, in writing, to the grants department at grants@aracouncil.org 

Activities that take place outside the state of Minnesota

Travel/Relocation outside the state of Minnesota

To cover purchases made prior to the project’s earliest start date

Classes, workshops, or projects relating to or resulting in academic credit, tuition for academic coursework, teaching licensure, or continuing education requirements (CEUs) to retain teaching licensure, or that replace discontinued activities that were formerly supported by state funds

Creating or distributing new grants or monetary awards to others. 

However, providing free access, such as non-competitive scholarships for project participation, stipends, reduced rates, or complimentary tickets, is allowed.

Expenses associated with the running of a registered for-profit business, including but not limited to LLC, C-Corp, S-Corp, etc. 

For rent, lease, or mortgage payments for space the applicant uses on an ongoing basis (i.e. home, studio, office space, storage, etc.)

However, it is allowable to lease or rent space that is necessary for the proposed project (e.g. for performance, production, exhibition, etc.), so long as it is not routinely occupied by the applicant.

Capital improvements or purchases of permanent equipment

Unless capital improvement is for ADA Accessibility

Equipment totalling more than 50% of the total request amount 

Does not apply to Operating Support Grant

Activities for the exclusive benefit of an organization’s members

Contributions to any political party, organization, action committee, or any person who holds, or is a candidate for, elected office

Lobbying activities, and/or activities in connection with any political campaign or referendum 

Activities that involve the religious socialization or proselytization of the audience or participants

For any activity that violates federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, or policies