Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) is a public charity based in Rochester, Minnesota. It supports regional arts development through grant programs and services for artists and culture bearers, arts and non-arts organizations, schools, and local government and tribal entities.
Key facts about Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
In short: Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc gave $758K across 58 grants in 2025 (avg $13K), mostly in Minnesota. 7% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 41-1417579
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $758,370
- Grants made (2025)
- 58
- Average grant
- $13,075
- Median grant
- $10,000
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (4 of 58, 2025)
- Total assets
- $517,318
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- How to apply
- SEMAC accepts applications through its online grant interface. Full details ↓
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 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
$517K
-4.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$758K
-5.8% YoY
Grant Count
58
-3.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$13K
-2.5% YoY
Is Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc open to new grantees?
7%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 4 of 58 grantees (7%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $10K; repeat grants $13K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $10K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). 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
SEMAC’s mission is to “encourage, promote, and assist regional arts development by providing leadership, outreach, advocacy, mentorship, grants, and services.” Its programs support individual artists and culture bearers, nonprofit arts organizations, non-arts organizations, K–12 schools, and local government and tribal entities.
In 2025, SEMAC grants included support for organizations across artistic disciplines. For example, Frozen River Film Festival received $25,000; its mission is to offer documentary films and programming that engage, educate, and activate its community. Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester received $10,000; it says its mission is to inspire, educate, and enrich the community through choral performance. Other 2025 recipients included visual arts organizations such as Owatonna Arts Center and Minnesota Marine Art Museum, each of which received $10,000.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, SEMAC reported 58 grants totaling $758,370. Grant amounts ranged from $8,740 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000. The largest reported awards included $25,000 each to Southeast MN Bluegrass Association and Frozen River Film Festival; $24,890 to Mantorville Theatre Company; and $23,565 to Rochester Repertory Theatre Company. Other listed awards included $20,000 each to Gallery 24 Artists Collaborative, Sing Out Loud, Midwest Music Fest, Austin Symphony Orchestra, Theatre du Mississippi, Mainspring, and Med City Arts Festival.
Review Cycle
.
Open Grants
11 open opportunities from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
Artists and Culture Bearers in the Schools Grant
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
Amount
US $2,000 - US $4,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Programming and Project Support Grants for Organizations
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
Amount
US $3,000 - US $11,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Programming Grants for Arts Organizations [formerly Presenter/Production Assistance Grants]
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
Amount
US $5,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Ready to take the next step with Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SEMAC serves Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties, including the Prairie Island Indian Community. In filing year 2025, all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 58 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $197K (2021) to $805K (2024). In 2025 it made 58 grants totaling $758K.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Southeast MN Bluegrass Association ($25K). Together the top 10 received $218K.
Grant Size Distribution
234 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 234 grants of 234 (100%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast MN Bluegrass Association Rushford, MN | Achf: General Operating Support and Programming Grant | $25,000 |
| Frozen River Film Festival Winona, MN | Achf: General Operating Support Grant and Programming Grant | $25,000 |
| Mantorville Theatre Company Mantorville, MN | Achf: General Operating Support Grant and Programming Grant | $24,890 |
| Rochester Repertory Theatre Company Rochester, MN | Achf: General Operating Support and Programming Grant | $23,565 |
| Gallery 24 Artists Collaborative Rochester, MN | Achf: General Operating Support and Programming Grant | $20,000 |
| Sing Out Loud Rochester, MN | Achf: General Operating Support and Programming Grant | $20,000 |
| Midwest Music Fest Winona, MN | Achf: General Operating Support and Programming Grant | $20,000 |
| Austin Symphony Orchestra Austin, MN | Achf: General Operating Support and Programming Grant | $20,000 |
| Theatre Du Mississippi Winona, MN | Achf: General Operating Support and Programming Grant | $20,000 |
| Mainspring Caledonia, MN | Achf: General Operating Support and Programming Grant | $20,000 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $517,318 | $1,468,012 | $1,471,455 | $758,370 (58 grants) |
| 2024 | $543,107 | $1,580,768 | $1,575,653 | $804,955 (60 grants) |
| 2023 | $381,693 | $1,258,283 | $1,256,174 | $536,409 (45 grants) |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $517,318 | $543,107 | $381,693 |
| Revenue | $1,468,012 | $1,580,768 | $1,258,283 |
| Expenses | $1,471,455 | $1,575,653 | $1,256,174 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,637 | $1,630 | $828 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS July 1, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 14, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 14, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS May 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 25, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 15, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 15, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2024
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Elisha A Marin as president; Rob Hardy as vice president; and Anastasia Shartin as executive director. Listed directors are Tony Boldt, Sophia Chai, Amy Wightkin, Laurel Stinson, Kjellgren Alkire, Steve Dietz (at-large director), and Melissa Wray.
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc is led by Elisha A. Marin, President since 2025 (on filings since 2020); 5 of 10 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Elisha A. Marin
President
Director → Vice President, 2024
Vice President → President, 2025
On filings since 2020
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $0 (2025)
Anastasia Shartin
Executive Director
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$6K (2023) → $123K (2025)
Kjellgren Alkire
Director
Director → President, 2023
President → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.5 hrs/week
$2K (2023) → $600 (2025)
Sophia Chai
Director
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
$400 (2024) → $810 (2025)
Amy Wightkin
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
$1K (2025)
Steve Dietz
At-Large Director
Director → At-Large Director, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurel Stinson
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Melissa Wray
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Boldt
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rob Hardy
Vice President
Director → Vice President, 2025
On filings since 2024
0.5 hrs/week
$300 (2024) → $800 (2025)
Former officers (16)
- Former: Jonathan D. Swanson (2019–2024) — At-Large Director
- Former: Kara E. Maloney (2019–2024) — Treasurer
- Former: Andi Arnold (2024) — Director
- Former: Laura Helle (2019–2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Robin G. Pearson (2019–2023) — Past Executive Director · Filing note: Resigned
- Former: Scott E. Roberts (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Yelba Olson (2022–2023) — Director
- Former: Diane W. Crane (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Drew L. Medin (2019–2022) — Treasurer
- Former: Levi Livingood (2021–2022) — Director
- Former: Andrea L. Arnold (2019–2021) — President · Filing note: Resigned
- Former: Lee A. Gundersheimer (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Benjamin A. Assef (2019–2020) — At-Large Director · Filing note: Resigned
- Former: E. Jane Olive (2019–2020) — Director · Filing note: Resigned
- Former: John P. Becker (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Julie M. Fakler (2019–2020) — Director · Filing note: Resigned
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "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 $123K, to Anastasia Shartin (Executive Director). 5 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 2510 Superior Dr Nw Suite B, Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: (507) 281-4848
Website: https://semac.org
Frequently asked questions about Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
How much does Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc give each year?
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc gave $758K across 58 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $805K across 60 grants.
What is Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's typical grant size?
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's median grant in 2025 was $10,000, and its average grant was $13,075, across 58 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc that year got $10K on average.
Where does Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc give grants?
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc gives mostly in Minnesota: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Rochester, MN (15 grants), Winona, MN (10 grants), Red Wing, MN (8 grants) and Austin, MN (5 grants).
Does Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 53% of Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (31 of 58) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Achf: Programming Grant" (27 grants).
Who are Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's largest grantees?
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's largest 2025 grantees include Southeast MN Bluegrass Association ($25,000), Frozen River Film Festival ($25,000) and Mantorville Theatre Company ($24,890), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 10% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc?
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc reported $517K in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.5M.
What does Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc fund?
SEMAC’s mission is to “encourage, promote, and assist regional arts development by providing leadership, outreach, advocacy, mentorship, grants, and services.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc?
SEMAC accepts applications through its online grant interface. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's EIN?
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-1417579. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Here's the math on researching Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc by hand.
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