The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council announced a call for proposals by individual artists and general operating support of arts organizations. All proposed projects must take place between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017, and culminate in a capstone event that is accessible and open to the public. The online application process opens Jan. 1, 2016, and the application deadline is Feb. 1, 2016.

SEMAC, a non-profit arts agency, is designated by the State of Minnesota Arts Board as the regional arts council for 11 southeastern Minnesota counties: Mower, Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

For information about the grant application process, eligibility, or grant writing assistance, contact the SEMAC office at 2778 D Commerce Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901 or call 507-281-4848. Information may also be found on the website at www.semac.org.

General Operating Support Grants

General operating support is designed to strengthen and stabilize arts organizations with operating expenses of less than $160,000 in the previous year. The accounting period or fiscal year for which funding is requested must not begin before April 1, 2016 and must conclude within one calendar year.

Proposals will be accepted from eligible arts organizations in the SEMAC region that have been programming for a minimum of three years. Colleges and universities are not eligible. The maximum amount for this grant is $4,000. No match is required.

 Individual Artist Grants

To encourage development of entirely original artistic works, SEMAC offers two distinct grants for individual artists: Established artist grants recognize, reward, and encourage outstanding individual artists and provide some financial support to enable them to continue their work. Emerging artist grants offer small but critical support for specific projects by developing artists from all disciplines who are committed to advancing their work and careers.

Proposals will be accepted from individual artists who are full-time residents of the SEMAC region. The maximum amount for established artists is $5,000. The maximum amount for emerging artists is $2,500. No match is required.

The individual artist grant program is supported by the McKnight Foundation of Minneapolis. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.