Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc. (SEMAC) is a public charity based in Rochester, Minnesota, and the designated regional arts council for an 11-county southeastern Minnesota region. It supports regional arts development through grantmaking, outreach, advocacy, mentorship, and services, serving individuals, arts organizations, non-arts organizations, schools, and local government entities.
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc at a glance
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.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $758,370
- -5.8% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 58
- -3.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $13,075
- -2.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $517,318
- -4.7% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 7% first-time grantees (4 of 58, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
- How to Apply
-
Submit an application online through SEMAC’s grant interface. Review the instructions for the relevant grant category; requirements and restrictions differ by applicant type and program.
- Contact
Mailing address: 2510 Superior Dr Nw Suite B, Rochester, MN 55901
Phone: (507) 281-4848
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
Programming and Project Support Grants for Organizations
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
Amount
US $3,000 - US $11,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Programming Grants for Arts Organizations [formerly Presenter/Production Assistance Grants]
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc
Amount
US $5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc funds
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%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
SEMAC serves Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties in southeastern Minnesota, including the Prairie Island Indian Community. All reported 2025 grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 58 itemized grants.
States
Cities
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.
Giving History
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.
Grants by year
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 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $517,318 | $1,468,012 | $1,471,455 | $758,370 | 58 | $1,637 |
| 2024 | $543,107 | $1,580,768 | $1,575,653 | $804,955 | 60 | $1,630 |
| 2023 | $381,693 | $1,258,283 | $1,256,174 | $536,409 | 45 | $828 |
| 2022 | $551,106 | $1,469,801 | $1,485,709 | $528,435 | 43 | $74 |
| 2021 | $706,176 | $777,550 | $750,110 | $197,000 | 28 | $86 |
| 2020 | $326,643 | $1,049,653 | $1,056,764 | $301,020 | 33 | $494 |
| 2019 | $164,508 | $1,092,045 | $1,094,000 | $466,092 | 48 | $462 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
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 stated vision includes broader community participation in the arts, partnerships that promote arts and artists, and artistic opportunities that incorporate new work while preserving existing artistic heritage.
Its programs include support for individual artists and culture bearers, arts organizations, non-arts organizations, and K–12 schools. Examples include project support for individual artists creating new work with a public engagement component, arts programming grants, arts management training, and opportunity grants.
The grantee missions in the 2025 awards illustrate the range of supported work. Frozen River Film Festival says it offers documentary films and programming intended to engage, educate, and activate its community. Rochester Repertory Theatre describes a mission centered on high-quality theater and developing artists’ skills. Austin Symphony Orchestra Society says it provides public symphony concerts and supports the local music community. Rochester Art Center describes offering contemporary-art experiences that encourage questioning, creativity, and critical thinking.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, SEMAC reported 58 grants totaling $758,370. Awards ranged from $8,740 to $25,000, with a median of $10,000; all reported grant dollars went to recipients in Minnesota. The largest awards included $25,000 to Southeast MN Bluegrass Association, Frozen River Film Festival, and $24,890 to Mantorville Theatre Company. Other notable awards were $23,565 to Rochester Repertory Theatre Company and $20,000 each to Gallery 24 Artists Collaborative, Sing Out Loud, Midwest Music Fest, Austin Symphony Orchestra, Theatre du Mississippi, Mainspring, Med City Arts Festival, and Widespot Performing Arts Center. The listed purposes for these awards include general operating support and programming grants.
SEMAC’s website says applications are submitted online through its grant interface and that grant categories are competitive. Application requirements vary by program. For individual-artist project grants, requirements include work samples, a proposal narrative addressing SEMAC’s review criteria, and an itemized project budget. The project must include accessible public engagement benefiting the region; specified rules also address project timing, eligible expenses, and venue accessibility. The website says applications generally become available on or shortly before 30 days before the submission deadline. An earlier-dated program listing described Arts Management Training Grants of up to $300 per person, Opportunity Grants of up to $500, and Programming Grants for Arts Organizations of $5,000; those listing dates precede October 2, 2026.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Anastasia Shartin as executive director and Elisha A Marin as president. Listed directors include Tony Boldt, Sophia Chai, Amy Wightkin, Laurel Stinson, Kjellgren Alkire, Melissa Wray, and Steve Dietz, who is listed as at-large director. Rob Hardy is listed as vice president.
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.
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?
Submit an application online through SEMAC’s 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 October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
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
Live grants for the work Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc funds
Arts, Culture & Humanities Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/southeastern-minnesota-arts-council-inc-morg_e709c02fa4c047ba827dc6c621d8be10
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_411417579_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/southeastern-minnesota-arts-council-inc-morg_e709c02fa4c047ba827dc6c621d8be10},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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