To apply for an Art Project Grant, an organization must meet structural requirements.

• Eligible applicants must meet one of the following structural criteria:

  • Be a nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

  • Be an unincorporated arts organization/group working with a fiscal sponsor.

  • If the applicant is applying with a fiscal sponsor, the following are the requirements:

    • The fiscal sponsor must have been operating for at least one full fiscal year.

    • Fiscal sponsors based outside of Minnesota may not receive sponsor fees from grant funds.

    • The fiscal sponsor does not itself have to be an arts organization; however, the fiscal sponsor must have a mission that aligns with the proposed project and sponsored organization.

Note: A fiscal sponsor may apply for its own Operating Support grant and also sponsor multiple applications within a grant program, as long as each application is a distinct, different project with all funding separately tracked and reported.

• For-profit businesses, including those registered as LLCs, C-Corps, or S-Corps, are not eligible, regardless of fiscal sponsorship.

• Organizations that receive Operating Support from the Minnesota State Arts Board for the same fiscal year or grant period.

• Organizations that receive direct appropriations from the Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment.

• Organizations that receive direct funding from the State of Minnesota are ineligible to apply to all ARAC Grant Programs.

  • Note that this rule does not apply to fiscal sponsors.

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

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

• Organizations must be based in Minnesota, as determined by their voting address and/or the payment of Federal, State, and local taxes.

• Organizations must be located 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: 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).

• Organization must have been 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.

• NEW FY26! Proposed project and reporting must be completed within the specified grant period date range, typically over a 12-24 month duration. 

  • See “Important Dates” within the Grant Program Guidelines for the applicable project date range based on the program of interest.

• NEW FY26! While applicants may technically apply to multiple grant programs, 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.

  • Reach out to info@aracouncil.org with any general questions, or grants@aracouncil.org if you have a current open grant project and wish to apply.

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

• Funds may not be used for events not available/open to the public.

• 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.)

• Individuals/organizations associated with a proposed project cannot apply for multiple grants to fund the same project, regardless of the role within the scope of work or artistic production.

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

• All applicants are required to maintain complete records relating to the receipt and expenditure of the grant funds for at least three years beyond the end date of the grant period. Your records may be audited or inspected by ARAC staff at any time after reasonable notification during the grant period and for three years following the completion of your project.

• Applicants may not be in violation of any past contractual agreement with ARAC, such as an overdue Final Report from a previous ARAC grant.

• Applicants 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). Incomplete reporting could result in the applicant being required to repay grant funds and/or being subject to further investigation of potentially fraudulent activity.

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

Activities that take place outside the state of Minnesota.

Travel/Relocation outside the state of Minnesota.

• To cover purchases made prior to the program’s earliest start date.

• Activities that are principally recreational, therapeutic, or rehabilitative.

• 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, prizes, 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 the capital improvement is for ADA Accessibility.

    • If applicable, there are no financial restrictions on the requested amount.

• Marketing-related expenses totalling more than 50% of the total requested amount. 

  • I.e. $2,500 is the maximum allowable marketing request of a $5,000 grant program for organizations.

• Activities for the exclusive benefit of an organization’s members, unless they pertain to accessibility for current or potential employees (installing door openers and handrails, widening bathroom doors in employee areas, etc).

• 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, including copyright law.

• Contingency funds for any amount are ineligible for funding.

• The explicit use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the proposal and artwork is prohibited. Funds may not be used for AI products or generation. AI-generated work samples are prohibited.

  • Please see the AI Usage section for more information.

This is not a complete list. If you have any questions on eligibility, please contact info@aracouncil.org.