FEE: Free to apply

The Leslye Orr Fund for Artists with Disabilities

The Leslye Orr Fund provides non-competitive direct support for artists with disabilities in Minnesota to create work and invest in their careers. Inspired by Leslye Orr’s advocacy for “the possibilities of disabilities,” this fund fosters artistry, inclusivity, and community joy. 

4 Minnesota-based artists will be selected through a randomized drawing process of eligible applicants

• Each artist will receive a $2500 unrestricted grant in recognition of their work

• This opportunity is open to artists of all disciplines that self-identify as an individual with disabilities.

Deadline: Apply by Sunday, April 6, 2026

FEE: Free to nominate

NEA National Heritage Fellowships

The NEA is now accepting nominations for the 2027 NEA National Heritage Fellowships. These fellowships are the nation’s highest honor in the folk and traditional arts and recognize artists and individuals who have significantly contributed to our nation’s rich cultural heritage. Nominees must be actively participating in their respective art form, whether as practitioners, mentors, instructors, or scholars, and must be worthy of national recognition.

Note: Beginning this year, nominations are active for one year only. Nominations made previously must be resubmitted this year to remain active.

Deadlines: 

·     Submit the online nomination form through the NEA's website
(Part 1): Monday, May 11, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EST.

·     Additional required materials through Applicant Portal
(Part 2): Friday, May 22, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. EST.

FEE: Free to apply

Artist Resources & Relief: Minnesota

In response to ongoing community disruption and its impacts on artists and creative workers across Minnesota, this evolving resource list brings together emergency relief funds, creative business recovery support, calls for artist-led community projects, mutual aid networks, toolkits, and legal resources.

Compiled by Springboard for the Arts in collaboration with arts organizations and community partners statewide, these resources are intended to support artists through immediate challenges and longer-term healing, recovery, and connection. Offerings include emergency and small business relief, opportunities for community-based creative action, mutual aid and solidarity networks, training resources, and practical toolkits.

This list will continue to be updated as new resources become available.

FEE: Free to apply

Minnesota State Arts Board Grant
FY 2027 Arts Experiences

Grant Opportunity for Individuals and Organizations

Application materials are now available for the Arts Experiences grant program. This pilot program supports individuals and organizations in providing meaningful arts experiences for Minnesotans within their communities. Funds may be used for a variety of arts projects such as creating and/or presenting concerts, plays, tours, exhibitions, arts festivals, public art, or other kinds of activities that provide Minnesotans opportunities to engage in arts activities that are instilled into community or public life.

Applications must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on May 1, 2026.

Details, including full program guidelines, more details on who is eligible to apply, and resources for applicants can be found on the Arts Experiences program page. https://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/arts-experiences.htm

A free, virtual information session will be offered on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m

FEE: Free to apply

LRAC McKnight Fellowship

Music & Visual Arts

The LRAC Fellowship is $5,000 given to recognize, reward & encourage an outstanding individual artist living in the LRAC nine-county region. The 2026 Fellowship is open to music and visual arts disciplines.

Deadline to apply: May 7, 5PM

FEE: Free to apply

Blandin Foundation: Small Communities Grants

Deadline: Letter of Inquiry due Thursday, April 17, 2026
Location: Rural Minnesota

The Blandin Foundation is now accepting Letters of Inquiry for its Small Communities Grant Program, supporting rural Minnesota communities—especially those with populations under 5,000.

This program prioritizes funding for projects that strengthen rural communities through:

• Planning

• Implementation

• Capacity Building

Projects should support positive economic, physical, and social change in rural communities and may include community development, beautification, leadership engagement, partnerships, workforce capacity, and more.

Timeline:

• Letter of Inquiry Opens: April 1, 2026

• Letter of Inquiry Closes: April 17, 2026

• Proposal Opens: April 27, 2026

• Proposal Closes: May 15, 2026

• Award Notifications: June 19, 2026

Eligibility: Statewide rural nonprofit organizations

More information & application details:
https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/grants/

FEE: Free to apply

Blandin Foundation: Rural Placemaking Grants

Deadline: Letter of Inquiry due Thursday, April 17, 2026
Location: Rural Minnesota

The Blandin Foundation is accepting applications for Rural Placemaking Grants, which support projects that help rural residents feel more connected, invested, and proud of where they live.

Placemaking projects may include:

• Community-centered design

• Public art and cultural activities

• Gathering spaces and public amenities

• Community beautification and revitalization

• Arts and cultural engagement initiatives

Funding is available in three categories:

• Capacity Building

• Planning

• Implementation

Projects should demonstrate how they will increase civic engagement, community pride, arts visibility, or local capacity for community development.

Timeline:

• Letter of Inquiry Opens: April 1, 2026

• Letter of Inquiry Closes: April 17, 2026

• Proposal Opens: April 27, 2026

• Proposal Closes: May 15, 2026

• Award Notifications: June 19, 2026

Eligibility: Statewide rural nonprofit organizations

More information & application details:
https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/grants/

FEE: Free to apply

Blandin Foundation: Community Wealth Building Grants

Deadline: Letter of Inquiry due Thursday, April 17, 2026
Location: Rural Minnesota

The Blandin Foundation is now accepting Letters of Inquiry for its Community Wealth Building Grants, which support projects that strengthen healthy rural communities by investing in local financial, cultural, social, and workforce assets.

This grant program supports work related to:

• Affordable housing and housing stability

• Community-based economic development

• Workforce and talent development

• Equitable access to capital

• Community-level wealth building strategies

The program is designed to help rural communities and Native Nations build long-term economic opportunity while reducing disparities tied to place, race, and class.

Timeline:

• Letter of Inquiry Opens: April 1, 2026

• Letter of Inquiry Closes: April 17, 2026

• Proposal Opens: April 27, 2026

• Proposal Closes: May 15, 2026

• Award Notifications: June 19, 2026

Eligibility: Statewide rural nonprofit organizations

More information & application details:
https://blandinfoundation.org/programs/grants/

FEE: Free to apply

LRAC Emergency Relief Fund — Round 2 Now Open

Lake Region Arts Council’s Emergency Relief Fund provides non-competitive $500 stipends to eligible artists and creatives in LRAC’s 9-county region experiencing a recent emergency.

Eligible emergencies may include:

• Healthcare

• Housing

• Equipment

• Legal needs

Round 2 Application Period:
Opens: Thursday, April 9, 2026
Deadline: Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Award Notification: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Funds Distribution: Friday, May 8, 2026

Basic eligibility includes:

• Must be age 18 or older

• Must have lived in LRAC’s service region for at least 6 months

• Must live in one of LRAC’s 9 counties: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, or Wilkin

• Must apply as an individual

• Emergency must have occurred within the past 12 months

Eligible applications are selected through a randomized drawing.

Please note: Applicants not selected in Round 1 do not need to reapply and will automatically be included in Round 2. Artists who have already received Emergency Relief Fund support are not eligible to apply again.

Questions are welcome, and first-time applicants are encouraged to contact LRAC after reviewing the guidelines.

Contact:
Lake Region Arts Council
133 South Mill Street, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
218-739-5780
grants.manager@lracgrants.org

The Artists Emergency Relief Fund Network is stewarded by Springboard for the Arts and supported in part by the F. R. Bigelow Foundation, Jerome Foundation, McKnight Foundation, John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.

FEE: Free to apply

Grant Opportunity for Individuals and Organizations: FY 2027 Cultural Expression

Application Deadline: Friday, June 5, 2026 by 4:30 p.m.
Info Session: Tuesday, May 5, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Location: Online

The Minnesota State Arts Board is now accepting applications for the FY 2027 Cultural Expression grant program. This pilot program supports arts activities that share, explore, preserve, pass on, express, or celebrate the culture of a community through traditional and contemporary art forms rooted in cultural traditions.

Eligible projects may include cultural festivals, performances, exhibitions, apprenticeships with master artists or culture bearers, documentation projects, and opportunities for community members to learn or practice traditional cultural art forms.

Application materials, eligibility details, program guidelines, and applicant resources are available here: https://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/cultural-expression.htm

A free virtual information session will be held on Tuesday, May 5 from 12:00–1:00 p.m.