Arts Legacy Grants - Regular

The Arts Legacy Grants - Regular program, managed by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, provides funding for art projects that enhance local artists and engage communities in Region 1. Grants range from $3,000 to $10,000, requiring a 10% cash match. Projects must be completed within 24 months and support public art initiatives. Eligible applicants include individuals and non-profit organizations within the specified counties of northwestern Minnesota.

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

Funds are available for art projects which develop or enhance local or regional artists, art resources, or art audiences. A project is an activity or series of closely related activities for which funds are requested. The project must be completed within 24 months of the notification of the receipt of a grant.
Some projects for individuals work well as Arts Legacy Grants these include projects that have a very strong community focus.
Examples include cooperative groups of artists that have retail location or an artist focusing on offering workshops to community members.
Arts Legacy Grants have deadlines throughout the year almost monthly and can be for up to $10,000 with a 25% cash match.
Arts organizations should apply in our main Arts Legacy Grant category if they are requesting between $3,000 and $10,000 in grant funds. This category is best suited for a series of projects and equipment expenditures that that arts organizations will need to make. Grants are for up to $10,000 with a minimum 10% cash match. We encourage one larger grant rather than several small grants for arts organizations. Main deadlines are July 31, October 31, February 28, and April 30.
This is also the main category to fund public art projects within communities such as murals and sculpture. There are many ideas for public art. We have worked with Forecast Public Art to develop a toolkit related to conducting a public art project in your community.
Examples related to public art projects that we have funded are on-line.

Eligibility

Individuals:Some projects for individuals work well as Arts Legacy Grants; these include projects that have a very strong community focus. Who is an artist? Although it does not include everything. In the case of college students, your school or your home mailing address must be in our region. Our region covers the Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau.Organizations: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.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.The primary impact of the project must be within the boundaries of the region.School Districts and schools can apply in our main Arts Legacy Grant category.

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 specified in the “Application Guidelines” section of this Program Information.Funds are requested for projects which are essentially for the religious socialization of the participantsAn 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