Arts Midwest Incorporated
Arts Midwest Incorporated is a public charity based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and one of six nonprofit U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. Formed in 1973, it supports, informs, and celebrates arts organizations and creative communities across nine Midwestern states, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond.
Key facts about Arts Midwest Incorporated
In short: Arts Midwest Incorporated gave $5.0M across 149 grants in 2025 (avg $34K), top state Georgia. 61% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 41-1000424
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,008,062
- Grants made (2025)
- 149
- Average grant
- $33,611
- Median grant
- $20,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 61% first-time grantees (91 of 149, 2025)
- Total assets
- $12,028,701
- Primary geography
- Georgia (22% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- How to apply
- Arts Midwest does not accept unsolicited requests. Full details ↓
- Deadline
- For GIG Fund: Interstate Touring, Phase 1 is due November 4, 2026, and Phase 2 is due November 17, 2026.
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$12.0M
-18.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.0M
+121.8% YoY
Grant Count
149
+40.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$34K
+57.8% YoY
Is Arts Midwest Incorporated open to new grantees?
61%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 91 of 149 grantees (61%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $38K; repeat grants $26K. How we count
Medians: $20K first-time, $25K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
Arts Midwest’s mission is to build unprecedented opportunity across the Midwest by advancing creativity. Its programs include Regional Prosperity, which supports artists, arts leaders, organizations, and communities; National Initiatives, including Shakespeare in American Communities and the NEA Big Read; and awards and storytelling that celebrate Midwestern creativity.
Grantees in its 2025 filings illustrate the range of organizations it supports. Racing Magpie describes its work as elevating Native and other artists and their communities through education, cultural, and research programs. Victoria Theater Arts Center says it builds community power by providing a creative home and amplifying neighborhood voices. Youth Art Team describes its work as helping young people develop creative potential and pursue personal and social change through art. Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre says it uses traditional arts to preserve and share African heritage and promote cultural awareness.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Arts Midwest reported 149 grants totaling $5,008,062. Grant amounts ranged from $6,000 to $1,000,000, with a median of $20,000. Its largest listed grant was $1,000,000 to South Arts for ArtsHERE. Other notable awards included $75,000 to the Regents of the University of Colorado for Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024–2025 and $67,000 each to nine organizations for Cultural Sustainability, including Racing Magpie, MASA Center, River West Theatre, and TBEY Arts Center.
Current program information includes Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants, a pilot offering general operating grants of $55,000 or $67,000 to eligible arts and culture organizations rooted in communities of color. The program describes 18 awards across the nine-state region, with grant amounts tied to operating-expense bands. Other listed opportunities include the NEA Big Read, with grants of $5,000–$20,000, and the Peter Capell Award, a $2,500 award for an individual arts leader. GIG Fund: Interstate Touring offers $2,000–$10,000 cost-share grants to eligible smaller Midwestern nonprofits and tribal organizations presenting professional artists from outside the applicant’s state; a 1:1 match is required, and federal funds cannot be used as match.
Review Cycle
For GIG Fund: Interstate Touring, Phase 1 is due November 4, 2026, and Phase 2 is due November 17, 2026. The Peter Capell Award is listed with an October 6, 2026 due date.
How to Apply
Arts Midwest does not accept unsolicited requests. Each opportunity has its own eligibility requirements and guidelines; applicants should review the relevant program information before applying. The GIG Fund: Interstate Touring process includes an eligibility review followed by a full proposal.
Open Grants
12 open opportunities from Arts Midwest Incorporated
Arts Midwest GIG Fund Grant
Arts Midwest Incorporated
Amount
US $2,000 - US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Cultural Sustainability: Equity-Based Operating Grants
Arts Midwest Incorporated
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
GIG Fund
Arts Midwest Incorporated
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with Arts Midwest Incorporated?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
Arts Midwest serves Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin, as well as the Native Nations that share this geography. Some programs have a wider reach: its national initiatives support organizations across the country, and the GIG Fund: Interstate Touring page identifies eligible applicants in the nine states and those Native Nations.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 149 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.3M (2024) to $5.6M (2021). In 2025 it made 149 grants totaling $5.0M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was South Arts ($1.0M). Together the top 10 received $1.6M.
Grant Size Distribution
862 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 778 grants of 862 (90%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| South Arts Atlanta, GA | ArtsHERE | $1,000,000 |
| Regents of the Univ of Colorado a body corporate Colorado Springs, CO | Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025 | $75,000 |
| Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre Cincinnati, OH | Cultural Sustainability | $67,000 |
| Masa Center Battle Creek, MI | Cultural Sustainability | $67,000 |
| Racing Magpie Rapid City, SD | Cultural Sustainability | $67,000 |
| River West Theater Inc Indianapolis, IN | Cultural Sustainability | $67,000 |
| South Asia Institute Chicago, IL | Cultural Sustainability | $67,000 |
| Tbey Arts Center Inc Milwaukee, WI | Cultural Sustainability | $67,000 |
| Victoria Theater Arts Center Saint Paul, MN | Cultural Sustainability | $67,000 |
| Youth Art Team Waterloo, IA | Cultural Sustainability | $67,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $12,028,701 | $7,118,776 | $9,565,787 | $5,008,062 across 149 grants |
| 2024 | $14,690,677 | $7,338,709 | $6,473,618 | $2,257,785 across 106 grants |
| 2023 | $13,146,086 | $9,028,042 | $9,421,779 | $3,804,763 across 191 grants |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $12,028,701 | $14,690,677 | $13,146,086 |
| Revenue | $7,118,776 | $7,338,709 | $9,028,042 |
| Expenses | $9,565,787 | $6,473,618 | $9,421,779 |
| Net Investment Income | $456,562 | $385,719 | $-206,885 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 11, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS January 25, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 21, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS December 4, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Brian Tiemann as chair until June 6, 2025, and Andre Perry as vice chair through that date and chair afterward. Ailithir McGill is listed as vice chair as of June 6, 2025. Other listed directors are Dionne Custer Edwards and Mia Khimm. The filing also lists Gregory Volan as treasurer/secretary through November 2024, Megan Langley as secretary as of November 2024, and Jane Rasmussen as member-at-large through November 2024. Jasmin De Forrest and Craig Howe are listed as directors through November 2024.
Arts Midwest Incorporated is led by Torrie Allen, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 5 of 25 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Torrie Allen
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$201K (2021) → $234K (2025)
Brian Tiemann
Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ellen Mueller
Director of Programs
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$101K (2025)
George Tzougros
Director
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Howe
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dionne Custer Edwards
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jasmin De Forrest
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mia Khimm
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cari Hatcher
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christine Her
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rishard Allen
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Woods
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Williams
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Miah Michaelson
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Spadafore
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Emily Tau
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Samantha Zhang
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Zach Van Harris Jr.
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Anne Romens
Vice President
On filings since 2023
45 hrs/week
$123K (2023) → $125K (2025)
Katelyn Shehu
Chief Financial Officer
On filings since 2024
45 hrs/week
$140K (2024) → $146K (2025)
Emily Anderson
Chief Administrative Officer
New on the 2025 filing
45 hrs/week
$101K (2025)
Ailithir McGill
Vice Chair
Director → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Volan
Treasurer & Secretary
Director → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Treasurer & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jane Rasmussen
Member-At-Large
Director → Member At-Large, 2022
Member At-Large → Member-At-Large, 2025
On filings since 2021
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Megan LangleyTreasurer
Secretary
New on the 2025 filing
3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (18)
- Former: Andre Perry Vice Chair (2025) — Chair · Filing note: Thru
- Former: Andre Perry (2021–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Brian J. Bonde (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Flavia Bastos (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Mary Pickard (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Matthew Harris (2021–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Matthew Wallace (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Michael Vinson (2021–2024) — Vice Chair
- Former: Omari Rush (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Sandi Clark (2021–2024) — Director
- Former: Megan Laudenschlager (2022–2024) — Director
- Former: Jan Webb (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kendra Whitlock Ingram (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Kymm Martinez (2021–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Peter Capell (2021–2022) — Chair
- Former: Rhoda Pierce (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Ken Fischer (2021) — Director
- Former: Sylvia C. Kaufman (2021) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $234K, to Torrie Allen (President & CEO). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 3033 Excelsior Blvd 380, Minneapolis, MN 55416-4695
Phone: (612) 341-0755
Website: https://artsmidwest.org
Frequently asked questions about Arts Midwest Incorporated
How much does Arts Midwest Incorporated give each year?
Arts Midwest Incorporated gave $5.0M across 149 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.3M across 106 grants.
What is Arts Midwest Incorporated's typical grant size?
Arts Midwest Incorporated's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $33,611, across 149 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Arts Midwest Incorporated that year got $38K on average.
Where does Arts Midwest Incorporated give grants?
Arts Midwest Incorporated's top state is Georgia, with 22% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (7%) and California (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (6 grants), Chicago, IL (4 grants), Atlanta, GA (3 grants) and Detroit, MI (3 grants).
Does Arts Midwest Incorporated give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 149 grants with a stated purpose on Arts Midwest Incorporated's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "NEA Big Read 2024-2025" (35 grants), "Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools 2024-2025" (34 grants) and "NEA Big Read 2023-2024" (26 grants).
Who are Arts Midwest Incorporated's largest grantees?
Arts Midwest Incorporated's largest 2025 grantees include South Arts ($1,000,000), Regents of the Univ of Colorado a body corporate ($75,000) and Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre ($67,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 23% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Arts Midwest Incorporated?
Arts Midwest Incorporated reported $12.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $7.1M.
What does Arts Midwest Incorporated fund?
Arts Midwest’s mission is to build unprecedented opportunity across the Midwest by advancing creativity. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Arts Midwest Incorporated?
Arts Midwest does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Arts Midwest Incorporated's EIN?
Arts Midwest Incorporated's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1000424. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Does Arts Midwest Incorporated accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Here's the math on researching Arts Midwest Incorporated by hand.
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