Arts Grants for Schools: Arts Equipment for Schools

The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council offers the Arts Grants for Schools program, providing funding up to $3,000 for artistic equipment in schools across seven counties. Eligible applicants include Minnesota non-profit organizations and school districts, with a 25% cash match required. This initiative aims to enhance the visual arts, performing arts, media arts, and creative writing departments in educational institutions, fostering creativity and artistic development.

NOTE: Competitive deadline is September 30 and then we fund on a first come, first served basis as funds remain.
Background
The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council was designated as the regional arts council for northwestern Minnesota by the Minnesota State Legislature.The Council works with local and area arts organizations and individuals to develop the arts in Region 1. The Arts Council submits a biennial Regional Arts Plan to the Minnesota State Arts Board. The NWMAC then receives a block grant from the Minnesota State Legislature, with the Minnesota State Arts Board serving as fiscal agent. This source of funds is used to provide grants for the 7 counties which comprise the region:

• KittsonMarshallNorman Pennington Polk Red Lake Roseau
• Arts Equipment for Schools

Supported by general allocation funds from the Minnesota state legislature, schools can apply to purchase artistic equipment for their visual art, performing art, media arts, or creative writing departments. Grants are for up to $3,000 with a 25% cash match.

Eligibility

The applicant must be a Minnesota non-profit, tax-exempt organization as described in Section 501(c)(3) of the United States Internal Revenue Code with Articles of Incorporation on file with the State of Minnesota; or, a governmental unit or department or agency of the State of Minnesota.All school districts within our service area may apply for the Arts Equipment in Schools grant. Private schools are also eligible if they show that the equipment will not be used for religious socialization.Two or more eligible organizations or governmental units may form a partnership to present arts activities in their community and apply under one organization and submit one application.An organization not meeting this requirement may apply to the regional Arts Council through a fiscal agent. A fiscal agent is a Minnesota non-profit, federally tax-exempt organization or governmental unit which applies to the regional Arts Council on behalf of an organization not meeting non-profit, tax-exempt requirements. The fiscal agent must sign the application and, if funds are received, sign the grant Arts Grant Contract and Request for Payment. The fiscal agent is legally responsible for the completion of the project and for the proper management of the grant. A contract or letter of agreement between the fiscal agent and the organization clarifying the responsibilities and authority of each, is required.

Ineligibility

Applications for grant assistance will not be accepted for review if any of the following conditions exist:Funds are for out of state travel.

Funds are for a project that occurs outside Minnesota.
Funds are requested from the regional Arts Council and the Minnesota State Arts Board for the same work or expenses incurred while carrying out the same project in a single fiscal year, without the expressed consent of both the Regional Arts Council and Minnesota State Arts Board.State funds requested from the regional Arts Council and/or the State of Minnesota exceed 90% of the total cost of a project.Artists are required to pay high entry or exhibition fees in order to exhibit or perform in the project.
Funds are requested for capital improvement or construction; purchase of real property (land or buildings); or, endowment funds.Funds are requested for projects limited in access to, or only serving, those attending educational institutions, including the staff.Funds are requested to account for fund deficiencies in projects begun prior to the project starting date.Funds are requested for projects which are essentially for the religious socialization of the participants.An organization has a report overdue from a past grant.
Funds are requested for non fine arts portions of festivals or art fairs, including humanities and historical portions.The activity is not open to the public.
Funds are requested for publications to be distributed only to the organization’s members.