Help Shape Arts Funding in East Central Minnesota

East Central Regional Arts Council

Seeks Board Members & Grant Review Panelists

As grantmaking continues to grow more competitive, community leadership has never been more important. The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) is seeking volunteers to serve as Board Members and Grant Review Panelists—and we invite your help identifying strong candidates.

Why this matters:

• Board Members provide governance and help guide ECRAC’s strategic direction, including decision‑making around arts funding priorities for the region.
• Grant Review Panelists review and score grant applications using ECRAC’s established criteria, helping ensure fair, thoughtful, and community‑informed funding decisions.

Who Should Consider Applying?

• Artists
• Bring your lived experience of creating, presenting, and producing artistic work. Your perspective helps ensure grants reflect real artistic and community needs.
• Arts Administrators & Educators
• Contribute your knowledge of organizational leadership, budgeting, program design, and compliance—skills essential to strong governance and grant review.
• Community Arts & Culture Leaders
• If you work at the intersection of arts, community, and public service, your insights help ECRAC remain responsive and accountable to the region it serves.

FAQ

What does an ECRAC Board Member do?

• Board Members provide oversight, set policy direction, participate in organizational planning, and act in the best interest of the Council and the communities it serves.

Is this a decision‑making role?

• Yes. Board Members play a leadership role in shaping funding priorities and guiding ECRAC’s mission and values.

Do I need prior board experience?

• No. Commitment to the arts, the region, and collaborative decision‑making is most important.

What about Grant Review Panelists?

• Panelists serve in an advisory role, reviewing and scoring applications based strictly on published criteria. Panelists do not set policy or make final funding decisions.

How to Get Involved

• If you are interested—or know someone who may be, please email Mary Minnick‑Daniels, Executive Director, at director@ecrac.org. You will be sent a link to the volunteer application form or simply click on the red button below.
• Applications for this cycle are due June 10, 2026.

Thank you for helping strengthen inclusive, informed leadership

for the arts in East Central Minnesota.

Apply to be a grant reviewer or a board member here!
 

For more than 40 years, the East Central Regional Arts Council has been funding the arts in region 7E. A look around the website provides information about the grant applications and guidelines for all grants, past successful grant projects funded , ECRAC art show information, local arts resources, a calendar of upcoming events, ECRAC’s permanent art collection and more. Applications will be due next on October 1! 
 

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.