Artists and Culture Bearers in the Schools Grant

The Artists and Culture Bearers in the Schools grant by the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council aims to enhance the arts curriculum in K-12 non-religious schools by providing students opportunities to collaborate directly with artists and culture bearers during school hours. This initiative not only supports artistic growth but also fosters a deeper appreciation for cultural expression within the community. Grant amounts range from $2,000 to $4,000, and applications are accepted until funding is exhausted.

NOTE: Application deadlines: August 1, October 1 and December 1, until funds run out.
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council
Through our six grant programs, SEMAC supports arts programming in every corner of our region by awarding close to $1,000,000 per year to individuals, arts organizations, non-arts nonprofits, schools, and local government entities.
SEMAC is one of eleven Regional Arts Councils designated by the State of Minnesota to make final decisions on the use of appropriations from the state’s general fund and from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund | Minnesota’s Legacy to support local and regional arts development.
These residency grants are meant to provide students in grades K-12 non-religious schools with opportunities to work directly with artists and culture bearers during the school day. Grant activities must supplement the school’s arts curriculum and not be a substitute for these basic requirements and can be in any discipline, including but not limited to, painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, and traditional arts.
The applicant for this grant can either be an individual artist or culture bearer living in the 11-county SEMAC region or the non-religious school in which the residency will take place. Written acknowledgement from the partner applicant (school or artist) confirming their commitment and role in the proposed activities is required.
No public event is required. However the participating school must agree to share the residency in their district’s communications to families, with the School Board, and/or with any local press contacts to raise awareness of the importance of the arts.
Award Amount: $2,000 to $4,000
Purpose: To provide students in grades K-12 with opportunities to work directly with artists and culture bearers during the school day.

Eligibility

Individuals in the SEMAC region or the school where the residency will take place.Every K-12 school applicant must meet ALL of the following conditions:
Must be located in the SEMAC regionMust be a non-religious K-12 schoolMust have a clearly defined Mission StatementNo overdue final reports. Final reports that are due before a new grant deadline must be approved before applying in the new round.

Ineligibility

K-12 schools may not apply for funding of:

• Equipment (such as band instruments, kilns, etc.)Student transportation or field tripsPrograms designed to fulfill K-12 Minnesota Academic Standards in the Arts
• The following budget items may not be included:

Out of state travel or activitiesExpenses incurred prior to the Start Date (including publicity)Legal fees (exception copyrights or royalties)Alcoholic beveragesGrant writing expenses