Author: Region 2 Arts Council

The Minnesota State Arts Board has posted application materials for two new grant programs:
Creative Support for Individuals
The grant range is $2,000 – $6,000

Creative Support for Organizations
The grant range is $5,000 – $15,000

These programs will provide flexible support for individuals and organizations whose practices and programming have been disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. In each program, funds can be used to help individuals and organizations maintain their core activities and their connections to Minnesota residents and communities.

These are statewide grant programs. Any person or organization who meets the eligibility requirements is welcome to submit an application.

Eligibility requirements are listed in the Program Overview and Application Instructions document posted on each program Web page (linked above)

There will be two deadline options for each program, one in August and one in September. Deadlines are listed on the Arts Board Web calendar.

More detailed information on each program is posted on the Arts Board Web site.

A free, recorded training Webinar is available for each program and can be found on the grant program page.

For accessibility inquiries and accommodation requests contact:
Natalie Kennedy Schuck, accessibility coordinator
Phone: (651) 539-2666, toll-free (800) 866-2787
Minnesota Relay 711
E-mail: natalie.kennedy@arts.state.mn.us

The Minnesota State Arts Board is a state agency that stimulates and encourages the creation, performance, and appreciation of the arts in the state. It works to ensure that all Minnesotans can participate in and benefit from the arts.

While we have always known the financial need among artists at this time is great, we did not anticipate the immediate responses of so many on Day 1 to Round 1 of our Artist Relief Grant.

Our application processes are now closed to online submissions.

If you requested a paper grant application to be sent in the mail, once you receive it, please complete the application as soon as you are able and send it in for consideration. Beyond that, we will not be releasing further paper applications until closer to the opening of Round 2.

We will announce our Round 1 Artist Relief Grant recipients by Friday August 7, 2020.

Our plan is to open Round 2 on August 31, 2020.  

If you would like to be put on the list to receive a paper grant application in the mail for Round 2, please contact our office via staff@r2arts.org or 218 751-5447 / 800 275-5447.

In good health,

Laura, Kathryn, & Holly

We are excited to announce that applications for the Artist Relief Grant are now OPEN!

This relief grant is open to artists whose anticipated arts income has been impacted due to COVID-19. All eligible*artists must rely on the creation of art to generate income and have no overdue final reports with Region 2 Arts Council.

Details and application for this grant are available HERE

If you’d like a paper application sent to you in the mail, contact staff@r2arts.org or 218 751-5447 / 800 275-5447.

Important: Keep in mind that funds are limited and grants will be awarded based on submission order

• Submitted applications that are eligible and complete will be placed in order based on their submission and postmark dates/times
• Any incomplete applications will be placed in order once they are corrected and complete

Round 1 closes August 15, or when all funds for this cycle have been awarded

Round 2 opens August 31

Summary of Eligibility*

• Working artists who have/ have had a marketable presence as an artist
• Minnesota residents who are 18 years or older and live in our five-county region (includes Beltrami, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, and Hubbard Counties)
• Minnesota residents who are enrolled tribal members and descendants living in Itasca, Roseau, Cass, and Becker Counties (our additional Anishinaabe Arts Initiative counties)
• Eligible artists must be in good standing with Region 2 Arts Council, rely on the creation of art for a portion of their income, and must have lost/will lose income due to COVID-19 impacts

NOTE: Artists who are not in good standing with Region 2 Arts Council, that is, those who have overdue final grant reports, are not eligible in round one, but may complete their final reports and become eligible for the 2nd round of Relief Grant funding.

Background

Since March 2020, income generating activity for artists has been cut off or greatly altered due to COVID-19. Our Region 2 Artist Relief Grant, made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation, is meant to offer some relief for artists whose anticipated income from March onward has been cut short.

Region 2 Artist Relief Grant is made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation

NOTE: We are announcing the July 31 OPENING of this grant application. This grant application is not yet open. Contact us at staff@r2arts.org if you would like to be placed on our list to receive a paper grant application in the mail.

Overview

Our Region 2 Artist Relief Fund, made possible with funding from the McKnight Foundation, is designed for artists whose anticipated arts income has been impacted due to COVID-19. All eligible artists must be in good standing with Region 2 Arts Council, and rely on the creation of art for a portion of their income.  

Artists living in Beltrami, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen, Hubbard Counties are eligible to apply.   The grant is also open to artists who are enrolled tribal members and descendants who are residents of Itasca, Roseau, Cass, and Becker Counties (our additional Anishinaabe Arts Initiative counties). Any artist with an overdue final report is not currently eligible for this grant. Contact us at 218 751-5447 / 1800 275-5447 or staff@r2arts.org to learn how to reinstate your eligibility for Region 2 Arts Council grants.

How to Apply?

Once the grant round opens, applications may be completed and submitted via login at r2arts.org or may be downloaded and printed from r2arts.org and mailed in once complete.  To receive a paper grant by mail contact us at 218 751-5447 / 800 275-5447.

Reviews and Fund Disbursement

Beginning on July 31, 2020, applications will be placed in the order in which they have been received, and reviewed for eligibility. Awards will be granted on weekly basis within the following grant rounds:

Round 1: July 31, 2020 – August 15, 2020 (will close sooner if all funding has been disbursed).

Round 2: August 31, 2020 – September 15, 2020 (will close sooner if all funding has been disbursed)

Award Amount:

$500.00

Thank you to the McKNIGHT FOUNDATION for providing funding for this Relief Fund grant opportunity!

We hope you can join others for this time to connect.

These conversations are hosted with the interest to allow Arts Leaders to connect, network, share ideas/resources and spark new possibilities . Or perhaps to simply be inspired and feel supported by each other.

Arts Leaders’ Gathering Hour
Thursday, July 23
10:00 a.m.

Click Here to Register
(Registration is Required)
**Zoom meetings can be accessed by phone or computer.

Please let us know if you need support to join in the conversation

Having problems or need support? Contact kathryn@r2arts.org

Quick reminder about this month’s convening time for Arts Leaders.

These conversations are hosted with the interest to allow Arts Leaders to connect, network, share ideas/resources and spark new possibilities . Or perhaps to simply be inspired and feel supported by each other.

Arts Leaders’ Gathering Hour
Thursday, July 23
10:00 a.m.

Click Here to Register
(Registration is Required)
**Zoom meetings can be accessed by phone or computer.

Please let us know if you need support to join in the conversation

Having problems or need support? Contact kathryn@r2arts.org

Calling all artists!

You are invited to convene in order to connect, network, share ideas /resources and spark new possibilities. Or perhaps to simply be inspired and feel supported by each other.

Artists’ Gathering Hour
Monday, July 20
1:00 p.m.
via Zoom

Click Here to Register
(Registration is Required)
**Zoom meetings can be accessed by phone or computer.

Please let us know if you need support to join in the conversation

Problems connecting?

Email kathryn@r2arts.org

There is real value in connection and we are here to support it! To that end, we continue to facilitate conversations via Zoom that support connections and networking opportunities among arts leaders.

These conversations are convened with the interest to connect, network, share ideas/resources and spark new possibilities . Or perhaps to simply be inspired and feel supported by each other.

Arts Leaders’ Gathering Hour
Thursday, July 23
10:00 a.m.

Click Here to Register
(Registration is Required)
**Zoom meetings can be accessed by phone or computer.

Please let us know if you need support to join in the conversation

We are excited to continue these Zoom Gathering Hours to support connections and networking opportunities via our Zoom platform.

This is a space for artists to convene together to connect, network, share ideas /resources and spark new possibilities . Or perhaps to simply be inspired and feel supported by each other.

Artists’ Gathering Hour
Monday, July 20
1:00 p.m.

Click Here to Register
(Registration is Required)
**Zoom meetings can be accessed by phone or computer.

Please let us know if you need support to join in the conversation