SEMAC Individual Artist: Grants for Advancing Artists

The SEMAC Individual Artist Grants support artists in the SEMAC Region by providing financial assistance to foster original artistic work. Grants ranging from $2,000 to $6,000 are available for various disciplines including Dance, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Eligible applicants include U.S. citizens aged 18 and over, who are full-time residents of the SEMAC Region. The program encourages diverse artists, including those from underrepresented communities, to apply and showcase their work in public events.

Competitive Individual Artist Grants are awarded to encourage the development of entirely original work by artists who are full-time residents of the SEMAC Region. Original creations in each of the five artistic disciplines – Dance, Literary Arts, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts, as well as interdisciplinary work, will be considered. The original work must culminate in a public showcasing or Capstone Event, via publication, performance, or exhibition, at an accessible venue provided by a non-profit or other approved organization.
Individual Artists may apply for $2,000 to $4,000 Emerging Artist Grant or $3,000 to $6,000 for Advancing Artist Grant.Matching funds are never required for Individual Artist Grants.Grants to individual artists are taxable income. Consult a tax adviser if you have questions about taxable income.Both Individual Artist categories include a designation for Culture Bearers. Two deadlines are offered per fiscal year.Recipients of Individual Artist Grants who are in good standing are eligible to reapply every fiscal year.
The Advancing Artist category provides $5,000 in financial support to enable artists to further their work. It is intended to recognize, reward, and encourage outstanding individual artists in the region. An artist at this stage has created an independent body of work over a number of years and has received regional or statewide recognition of their work. Artists at this stage are often, but not always, committed to making a living as an artist, whether or not they are doing so. They may struggle with the balance of producing art and marketing their art. They usually have a well-defined audience and show their art locally, regionally, and perhaps nationally.
Artists from all disciplines are welcome to apply for a broad range of study or activities, including exploration of new directions or expansion of previous work.

Eligibility

Applicants must be age 18 or older on the grant deadline and not currently enrolled in high school.You must be a United States citizen or resident alien.You must have been a full-time resident of the SEMAC Region for at least six months and agree to reside in Minnesota for the duration of the proposed grant activity.

Ineligibility

You may not apply until all final reports from all previous SEMAC grants have been submitted and approved.You may not be enrolled full or part time in a related degree granting program when you apply or for the duration of the project. Contact the SEMAC office with questions about this restriction.