FEE: Free to apply - see link for booth and vending fees

Call for Applicants

Street Faire at the Lakes

Friday & Saturday, May 29- 30, 2026

The 26th Annual Art & Craft Experience, Downtown Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

Applications Open: December 1st 2025

Applications Close: May 28th 2026 (or until we have reached capacity)

The Historic Holmes Theatre is gearing up for the 26th annual Street Faire at the Lakes in beautiful Downtown Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, May 29-30th. HHT, as a part of the Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center, has dedicated itself as a hub of arts to the area, and works to uplift and organize for the vibrant and thriving arts community in the region. With 130 artist booths, Street Faire at the Lakes is the first outdoor art show of the season in the Lakes Region and takes place on the beautiful Washington avenue in Detroit Lake’s downtown center. We see thousands of shoppers in We are looking for vendors who are ready to sell handmade/designed/crafted wares to visitors in the lakes area. Vendors are required to be present for the two full days of the faire. This is the earliest street faire in the region this year (happening before the Edina Art Fair the first weekend of June) and we always have a great turn out!

Jury Process:

All artist applicants, when filling out an application, must submit 4 digital images for jury process -- 3 images of work and 1 image of booth display. Artist images will be viewed anonymously and scored by a panel of jurors based on originality and craftsmanship. No scores or explanation of results will be given. Artists will be invoiced for booth payment upon acceptance.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• -December 1st 2025- Applications will open online.

• -February 2nd 2026- The first round of Jurying will be complete for anyone who applied from

• December 1st to January 30th and applicants will be notified of their status.

• March 2nd 2026-  The end of Early Bird pricing. The second round of Jurying will be completed for anyone who applied from January 31st to February 28th and applicants will be notified of their status.

• April 30, 2026 - Last day for full refund (cancellation request must be received in writing)

• May 1, 2026 - All certificates of insurance must be received.

• May 28, 2026- Food Vendor registration & set-up from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Artist registration & set up from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m.

• May 29, 2026 - Final registration & set up from 6:30 - 9:00 a.m. All artists/vendors must be ready by 9:30 a.m. Show opens at 10:00 a.m..

Booth Prices:

11 X 11 foot space: Early Bird $195 After March 1st $245

22 X 11 foot space: Early Bird $390 After March 1st $490

33 X 11 foot space: Early Bird $585 After March 1st $735

Corner Booth Request is an additional $60

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— Registration required

Creative Power, Civic Purpose:
How Artists Strengthen Democracy

Six-Part Virtual Series | 2026

Creative Power, Civic Purpose is a six-part virtual series exploring how artists and culture bearers strengthen civic health, deepen democratic participation, and help renew the civic fabric of communities nationwide. Grounded in civic health frameworks and national conversations around democratic renewal, the series combines field-framing dialogue with practical learning for artists, cultural leaders, civic partners, funders, and community practitioners.

Across six sessions, speakers and facilitators examine the role of arts and culture in civic infrastructure, public understanding of systems, belonging and trust, artist–government collaboration, and funding creative civic work. Registration provides access to all sessions, including calendar holds, Zoom links, updates, and recordings.

Dates & Times (all sessions):
Thursdays, 12:00–1:30 PM (CT)

• Feb 26, 2026

• Mar 26, 2026

• May 28, 2026

• June 25, 2026

• Sept 24, 2026

• Oct 29, 2026

Format: Virtual
Registration: Single registration covers the full series; individual sessions also available

FEE: Free to apply

The Sister Dennis Frandrup Artist Residency

College of Saint Benedict in Saint Joseph, MN
& Saint John’s University in Collegeville, MN

Residency Session: April 5–May 16, 2027
Applications due May 15, 2026

Applications are now open for the Sister Dennis Frandrup Artist Residency at CSB/SJU!
Spend six weeks in Minnesota (April 5–May 16, 2027) with studio access on both campuses, private lodging, and a modest stipend. The selected artist will also present a public talk and open studio event.

Residency Session: Six Weeks; April 5, 2027-May 15, 2027.

Application materials should include:

• A portfolio of 10 images compiled into a single PDF file

• An image list with titles, mediums, and dimensions

• A current CV

• An artist statement

• A proposal describing how the residency and dedicated studio time will support and advance your artistic practice

FEE: Free to apply

CALL FOR ARTISTS
Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council

Artists Wanted!

Muralists, illustrators, graphic designers, typographers, photographers—and more—are invited to join one of the largest public art programs in the Upper Midwest. Metro Transit and the Metropolitan Council are expanding their roster of pre-qualified artists for paid public art projects across the transit system, from station walls to bus and train exteriors.

The artist roster is the primary resource project managers and planners use to find artists. Signing up is free at metrotransit.org/artist-roster-form

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

Call for Artists: Summer 2026 Artist-in-Residence

Deadline: May 8, 2026
Location: Otter Cove Children's Museum, Fergus Falls, MN

Otter Cove Children's Museum is currently accepting applications for its Summer 2026 Artist-in-Residence program.

This 8-week, part-time residency is designed to support community-centered, process-based artmaking with children and families in a rural setting. Artists of all disciplines are encouraged to apply, especially those interested in participatory work, teaching, and community engagement.

The selected artist will:

• Lead hands-on art classes for children ages 5–12

• Facilitate a family workshop

• Create a collaborative community art project

The residency includes:

• $5,000 artist stipend

• $2,500 materials budget

• Staff support for logistics, marketing, and participant registration

This opportunity is ideal for artists interested in expanding their practice through creative community engagement and youth-centered programming.

Learn more + apply:
https://www.ottercoveff.org/artist-opportunities

Application deadline: May 8, 2026

FEE: Free to apply

Call for Artists: Joyful World Mural Park 2026

Deadline: May 18, 2026 at 8:00 PM CDT
Location: Minnesota State Fair, Saint Paul, MN

The Minnesota State Fair and Forecast Public Art are seeking four muralists to create new murals for the 2026 Joyful World Mural Park.

Selected artists will paint their murals on-site during the 2026 Minnesota State Fair as part of a public art experience that invites fairgoers to watch artists at work and engage with a wide range of creative styles. This year’s theme, “Joyful World,” invites artists to imagine and depict a world they want to live in through welcoming, vibrant, and family-friendly work.

Eligibility & Details:

• Open to artists 18+ who reside in Minnesota

• Four muralists will be selected

• Stipend: $4,500 (includes materials)

• Murals will be approximately 8' x 8'

• Artists must be available to paint on-site during the Fair: August 27 – September 6, 2026

• Previous Joyful World Mural Park artists are not eligible to apply again

Application Requirements:

• Responses to artist narrative questions

• Brief mural concept description

• Rough design sketch

• 2–4 examples of previous mural or large-scale paint-based work

Info Session:
April 25, 2026 at 11:00 AM CT (Zoom)

Apply:
bit.ly/JoyfulMuralPark

Questions may be directed to: tricia@forecastpublicart.org

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.

FEE: Vendor fee—$125

Call for Artist Vendors: Sauk Centre Festival of the Arts

Artists and makers are invited to apply as vendors for the Sauk Centre Festival of the Arts.

Application Deadline for Marketing Inclusion: August 15, 2026

Event Dates: Friday, August 29 – Saturday, August 30, 2026
Event Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (both days)

Selected vendors will receive approximately a 10’ x 10’ booth space (additional space available for purchase), along with promotion through festival social media and website. Coffee, donuts, water, and restroom access will be provided. This is a rain-or-shine event.

Vendors are required to provide their own tables, tents, and 40 lb. weights or sandbags, and must commit to both full days with no early teardown.

For questions, volunteer opportunities, or to sign up, contact Cathy at cathy@510artlab.com or cathy@510artlab.art

FREE to Apply!

The Rural Regenerator Fellowship is an 18-month fellowship that brings together rural artists, creatives, and culture bearers to deepen their relationships, grow their work, and support rural exchange and solidarity across the Upper Midwest.

Artists, culture bearers, and makers are essential to the future of rural places—and to the ways those places help our society develop and build new systems or policies that are human-centered, equitable, and resilient. Since 2021, Springboard for the Arts’ Rural Regenerator Fellowship has invested more than $1 Million in rural cultural organizers across the Upper Midwest, building a lasting and resilient network of support, solidarity, and exchange. 

For this next Fellowship cycle, we will support artists who are organizing their rural places for care, safety and solidarity. This includes, but is not limited to: artists who use creative processes to develop mutual aid networks, provide spaces for vulnerable communities to gather and connect, share stories to combat harmful narratives, and more. 

This year’s Fellowship will support six rural artists, creatives, and culture bearers with an unrestricted award of $15,000, one in-person retreat, $3,000 to support travel for Fellow Exchanges, and the opportunity to attend and present at Springboard’s Rural Futures Summit.

The Rural Regenerator Fellowship brings rural artists into a supportive peer network, helping to sustain and deepen their existing work, while cultivating a network of geographic exchange, mutual support, and solidarity across the rural midwest. 

The 2026-28 Fellowship will take place over 18 months (September 2026 – March 2028).

Applications due: June 18, 2026.