Title

Essential Arts Alert

Authored on
Body
Arts Action Week

 

JOIN YOUR FELLOW ARTS ADVOCATES FROM ACROSS MINNESOTA TO CREATE ACTION FOR THE ARTS

 Click here to attend Arts Advocacy Week and help protect the arts funding you love.


WHAT ART GRANTS ARE OPEN NOW?!

The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) is currently accepting applications for the April 1st deadlines. Funding is available to artists and eligible organizations located in Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine Counties in Minnesota (Region 7E).

Available grants include:

Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Grant for Artists due April 1st: up to $1,000 grants available for arts projects by individuals residing in Region 7E. This category provides support to individuals for a wide variety of arts projects involving the creation, sponsorship, performance, and/or exhibition of art. Arts producing activities and an arts activity which is open to the public should result from the project. 

Mid-Career Artist Grant for Artists due April 1st: up to $2,500 for a specific art project designed to: enhance artistic skills, artwork, experimentation, collaboration, or an art business career. Applications are encouraged from artists in all disciplines. What is a Mid-Career Artist? Mid-career artists are recognized by their peers and arts professionals, have produced an independent body of work and have a record of commissions, projects, or exhibitions.

Art in Our Schools Grant for schools due April 1st: up to $3,000 to supplement an existing school arts curriculum with such programs as artistic residencies, arts related field trips, or special arts events or projects. No match is required. Grants can be used to support all K- 12 students and/or student groups such as drama club, band or choir, visual art classes, community education, entire grades, or gifted and talented students.

Small/Arts Project Grant for organizations or government entities due April 1st: $500 to $5,000 grants available for local or regional arts projects sponsored or organized by groups, organizations, nonprofits, and units of government. This category provides support to organizations for a wide variety of arts projects involving the creation, sponsorship, publication, performance, and/or exhibition of art. Arts producing activities or services for artists or arts organizations should result from the project. 

Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Grant for organizations or government entities due April 1st: $5,000 to $15,000 grants available for arts projects sponsored by groups, organizations, nonprofits, and units of government located within the Region 7E service area. This category provides support to organizations for a wide variety of larger arts projects involving the creation, sponsorship, publication, performance, and/or exhibition of art. Arts producing activities or services for artists or arts organizations should result from the project.


WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?!

Grant Info Sessions: ECRAC is hosting online grant information sessions via zoom and in person for anyone interested in learning more about ECRAC and these grant programs. These sessions cover basic information about ECRAC grant programs, as well as recent changes to the grant application processes. These will be held on March 7 & 9, 2023. For further details, dates, and locations of the grant info sessions go to:

ECRAC Event Calendar


HOW CAN I HELP PLAN FOR ECRAC's FUTURE?

The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) serving Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine counties will present the draft Preliminary Biennial Plan for grant programs, priorities, and services to be delivered in fiscal years 2024-2025 beginning July 1, 2023 and ending June 30, 2025. 

Join us to learn how your taxpayer dollars return to you, and your community, through our needs driven processes and programming. Provide your input and suggestions during the public meeting on Tuesday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m. There will be a presentation of the plan and time for questions and discussion. You can register for the March 14 virtual meeting by emailing director@ecrac.org After your registration request you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

A preview of the Biennial Plan Draft will be available on the website starting March 10, 2023 at https://www.ecrac.org/about-ecrac/history-and-biennial-plan  You are invited to respond during the virtual presentation, through email at director@ecrac.org, via phone at 320-591-7033 or via mail at ECRAC, 540 Weber Ave, Ste 109, Hinckley, MN 55037.



For more than 40 years, the East Central Regional Arts Council has been funding the arts in region 7E. A visit to the website will provide a depth of information about the grant applications and guidelines for the grants listed above, past successful grant projects funded in region 7E, ECRAC art show information, local arts resources, a calendar of upcoming events, ECRAC’s permanent art collection and more. Even if you are not interested in applying for a grant with ECRAC a visit to their website is must for any art enthusiast.

These activities are funded in part by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature, with money from the State's general fund and its arts and cultural heritage fund. This fund was created by a vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008. These activities are also funded in part by The McKnight Foundation.

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