On March 15, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council, Inc. (SEMAC) awarded 40 grants for a total of $251,635 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota.

This included 13 General Operating Support Grants for $50,100, 16 McKnight Individual Artist Grants for $68,855, and 11 Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants for $132,680. The latter funding is made possible by the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on Nov. 4, 2008.

SEMAC is the State Arts Board designated granting authority for local and regional arts producing and sponsoring organizations and disburses funds allocated for this purpose by the Minnesota State Legislature. The SEMAC region includes the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

2011 SEMAC Grants

Freeborn County

•Albert Lea Art Center received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for operating expenses for calendar year 2011.

Mower County

•Austin Symphony Orchestra received a $4,000 General Operating Support grant for continued compensation of their business manager/coordinator.

•Matchbox Children’s Theatre received a $2,100 General Operating Support grant to help cover rent, insurance, office supplies and phone expenses.

•Riverland Community College received a $7,805 Arts & Cultural Heritage grant for their community corrections partnership public mural project. 4330629