McKnight Fellowships for Musicians Grant

The McKnight Fellowships for Musicians, administered by the MacPhail Center for Music, support mid-career musicians in Minnesota who have demonstrated artistic excellence and commitment. Each year, four $25,000 fellowships are awarded to solo artists or small ensembles. These funds enable musicians to focus on their craft, pursue new projects, and enhance their artistic growth. This program emphasizes inclusivity across various musical genres, celebrating the vibrant culture of Minnesota's music scene.

NOTE:
Letter of Inquiry - Deadline to submit four-minute work sample for consideration in Round 1Pre-Proposal - Invite Only - Deadline for selected applicants to submit additional work samples, live performance video, artist statement, and resume for consideration during Round 2Full Proposal - Invite Only - In person final auditions held for 9 finalists
The McKnight Foundation
Founded on the belief that Minnesota thrives when its artists and culture bearers thrive, the McKnight Foundation’s arts and culture program is one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the country. Support for individual working Minnesota artists and culture bearers has been a cornerstone of the program since it began in 1982. The McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowships Program provides annual, unrestricted cash awards to outstanding mid-career Minnesota artists in 15 different creative disciplines. Program partner organizations administer the fellowships and structure them to respond to the unique challenges of different disciplines. Currently, the foundation contributes about $2.8 million per year to its statewide fellowships.
McKnight Fellowships for Musicians are intended to recognize and support mid-career musicians living and working in Minnesota who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, artistic excellence, a distinctive musical voice, and a significant performing career over a period of time. The program’s musicians are committed to honoring the breadth of Minnesota musicians of all genres; aesthetically, geographically, and culturally. If you are a performing musician in any genre, MacPhail Center for Music invites you to apply for a McKnight Fellowship for Musicians.
Funding
With the generous support of the McKnight Foundation, MacPhail awards four $25,000 fellowships to outstanding and distinctive mid-career solo artists or small ensembles/bands. A McKnight Fellowship in Music can help an artist set aside periods of time for study, reflection, experimentation, and exploration; take advantage of an opportunity, or work on a new project. Ensembles/bands recognized as finalists and/or fellowship recipients will split awards between members; individual ensemble/band members will not each receive the full award amount.

Eligibility

The intent of this program is to recognize and support midcareer artists living and working in Minnesota who demonstrate a sustained level of accomplishment, commitment, and artistic excellence. Artists who are eligible for these fellowships:Have or maintain MN residency for at least one year before application and for the fellowship year.
Are beyond emerging with a body of work that demonstrates a sustained level of accomplishment and commitment to an artistic practice.
Can only apply to one McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship in any artistic discipline within a year.
Can only apply as a solo artist or an ensemble/band member within a year.
Have not been a recipient of a McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship within any artistic discipline in the last five award years. Demonstrate growth and ongoing artistry since their most recent McKnight Artist & Culture Bearer Fellowship.
Are not staff, board, or immediate family of the McKnight Foundation or fellowship administrative partners.Independent contractors and faculty are not considered staff and are therefore eligible to apply.Are not enrolled full-time in an academic program.Ensemble/Band:Have performed together for three or more years with the same members and name as stated on the application.
Be made up of no more than five members.
Be an active ensemble/band, having at least four significant performances in each of the last three years. If the pandemic prevented your ensemble from performing four times in the stated time period, please call to ask about eligibility.

Ineligibility

Recipients of 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 McKnight fellowships in any discipline are not eligible.