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The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council announces a call for arts programming proposals by nonprofit  organizations. Proposed grant activities must begin no earlier than Dec. 1, 2024 and be completed  within 12 months, culminating with a capstone event that is accessible and open to the public. Online  applications will be available throughout September for the Oct. 1 grant deadline.

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

For information about the grant application process, eligibility, or 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 our website at semac.org. With limited funding available each fiscal year, every SEMAC grant  category is competitive and includes an LOI stage used as an initial screening for eligibility.

Organizational grants

Online grant applications are in two parts. The LOI stage (part 1) for all organizational grants is due no  later than Oct. 1. This stage will require applicants to provide programming data and declare  their intent to apply for one of the following grants. Upon approval of the LOI, part 2 of the application  will be released, with an October 11, 2023 final submission deadline.

1. Legacy Grants: Proposals for Legacy Grants are accepted from qualified nonprofit organizations located in the  SEMAC Region. Matching funds are not currently required.

The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund will support arts focused activities in three key areas: 1)  Arts and Arts Access, 2) Arts Education, and 3) Arts and Cultural Heritage. SEMAC encourages  applicants to research and develop proposals that incorporate two or more of the key areas with  an emphasis on creating lasting partnerships among regional nonprofit arts organizations and  other nonprofit groups. In addition to eligible arts organizations, nonprofits that do not have arts  as a primary focus, such as schools, senior centers, community education, cultural groups and  colleges are invited to apply for $5,000.

Future funding of Legacy Grants depends on appropriate use of current funding. SEMAC urges  arts organizations, non-arts organizations with an arts component, and government entities to  apply. This is a highly competitive category.

2. Programming Grants for Arts Organizations: Proposals for Programming Grants offer funding of $5,000 to qualified applicants located in the  SEMAC Region. Matching funds are not required at this time.

Programming may be in one of two forms: Production Assistance is designed to support  activities by arts organizations directly involved in the creation, performance, publication, and  exhibition of art Presenter Assistance helps regional arts organizations and public or non religious private K-12 schools sponsor appearances by touring artists or companies who have  demonstrated high levels of artistic quality. These grants cannot be used for artist residencies in  schools.

3. Small Towns/Rural Areas Grants: The Small Towns/Rural Areas grants offer funding of $5,000 to qualified applicants located in  areas of the SEMAC Region with populations under 7,500. No matching funds are currently  required.

SEMAC wishes to support and encourage the creation and development of art and arts  organizations in communities with populations under 7,500. This support may be used for  assistance in activities which directly involve the creation, performance, publication, or exhibition  of art. Applicants may include arts organizations, local government entities and public or non religious private K-12 schools, either individually or in cooperation.

These grants cannot be used  to cover the costs of school residencies.