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: 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

FEE: Free | Application Required

Jerome Early Career Printmakers Residency at Highpoint

Application Deadline: Friday, July 3, 2026 | Highpoint Center for Printmaking, Minneapolis, MN

Applications are now open for the Jerome Early Career Printmakers Residency at Highpoint Center for Printmaking. Supported by the Jerome Foundation, this year-long residency has supported more than 50 emerging printmakers since 2003 and provides Minnesota artists with access to professional printmaking facilities, mentorship, and career development opportunities.

Three artists are selected annually for the residency, which begins September 1, 2026 and concludes with a group exhibition in June 2027. Residents receive twelve months of access to Highpoint’s professional printshop facilities, technical support, storage space, use of inks and standard supplies, a $500 class/instruction credit, professional exhibition documentation, and a $3,500 stipend.

The residency is open to early career Minnesota printmakers with demonstrated proficiency in at least one traditional printmaking technique, including intaglio, lithography, relief, monotype, or screenprinting. Priority is given to artists with limited access to professional non-academic printshop environments. Applicants must have maintained Minnesota residency for at least one year prior to the residency start date and may not be enrolled in degree-granting programs during the residency period.

An online information session will take place Thursday, June 11 at 7:00 PM.

Residency Timeline:
April 17, 2026 – Applications Open
June 11, 2026 – Online Information Session
July 3, 2026 – Application Deadline
August 11, 2026 – Applicant Notification
September 1, 2026 – Residency Begins

Applications are accepted through Submittable only.

FEE: Free | Application Required

LRAC Emergency Relief Fund – Round 3

Application Deadline: Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 5:00 PM

Artists and creatives in LRAC’s 9-county region experiencing a recent emergency are encouraged to apply for Round 3 of the Lake Region Arts Council Emergency Relief Fund.

Eligible applicants may receive a non-competitive $500 stipend to assist with emergency-related needs including housing, healthcare, equipment, and legal expenses. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis through June 25, meaning eligible applicants may receive funding as applications are processed rather than waiting until the final deadline.

To be eligible, applicants must:
• Be 18 years of age or older
• Have lived within LRAC’s region for at least 6 months
• Apply as an individual (not an organization or LLC)
• Have experienced an emergency within the past 12 months

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.

For questions, contact:
218-739-5780
grants.manager@lracgrants.org

FEE: Free to Apply

Call for Artists: Fall Into Art Festival Art Competition

Application Deadline: Monday, September 7, 2026 | Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance, Morris, MN

The Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance (PRCA) is seeking artists to participate in the Fall Into Art Festival Art Competition on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at East Side Park in Morris, Minnesota.

This year’s competition theme is “Celebrating the Prairie,” and artists are invited to submit original three-dimensional artwork inspired by prairie landscapes, nature, flora and fauna, regional history, or culture. Eligible works may include sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, woodworking, metalwork, mosaics, mixed media, furniture, garden art, planters, bird baths, rain barrel art, and other creative three-dimensional forms.

All submitted works must be original, viewable in three dimensions, and have a minimum value of $100. Contest entries will be considered donations to the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance and will be auctioned during a live auction following the competition, with proceeds supporting PRCA programming and community arts initiatives.

Cash prizes will be awarded through public voting during the festival:
• First Place — $300
• Second Place — $200
• Third Place — $100

Artists donating a contest piece will also receive a free vendor booth space during the festival to display or sell additional artwork.

The Fall Into Art Festival takes place from 11:00 AM – 5:30 PM and features live music, food trucks, art vendors, beverages, and free family-friendly art activities throughout the day.

To participate, artists should email prca@prairierenaissance.org by September 7 with their name, address, phone number, artwork value, and — if possible — a photo of the work. Artists should also indicate whether they would like a free vendor booth space.

For additional information, contact Diane Trew at 320-314-2262 or prca@prairierenaissance.org.

FEE: Free to apply

NOW OPEN: Nordic Folk Arts & Cultural Traditions in the Upper Midwest Competition

Application Deadline: September 15, 2026

The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) is now accepting applications for its 2026–2027 Nordic Folk Arts & Cultural Traditions in the Upper Midwest Competition. This annual program supports the preservation, practice, and public celebration of Nordic folk arts and cultural traditions throughout the Upper Midwest, including Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Fellowship Opportunities for Artists

Artist fellowships are designed to:

• Strengthen traditional artistic and cultural skills

• Support mentorships between master artists and apprentices

• Encourage the continuation of folk traditions across generations

• Increase public awareness of Nordic cultural heritage through visible and engaging projects

Grants for Public Programs & Community Projects

Nonprofit organizations may apply for support of:

• Community festivals and heritage celebrations

• Workshops, classes, and demonstrations

• Performances and cultural events

• Programs that preserve and share Nordic traditions with public audiences

Applicants for public program grants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations.

About the American-Scandinavian Foundation

Founded to promote cultural exchange between the United States and the Nordic countries—Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden—the American-Scandinavian Foundation supports fellowships, grants, cultural programming, publishing, and educational opportunities throughout the United States and abroad.

Through this program, ASF continues its commitment to preserving Nordic cultural traditions while fostering connections between communities in the Upper Midwest and the Nordic world.

Deadline: September 15, 2026

For more information, contact Sally Yerkovich, Director of Educational Exchange & Special Projects, at grants@amscan.org or (212) 847-9714.

FEE: $25

Call for Artists & Vendors: Pickletoberfest Outdoor Market

Event Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026 Location: Main Avenue, New York Mills, MN

Artists, makers, bakers, and creative businesses are invited to participate in the Outdoor Market at the 3rd Annual NYM Pickletoberfest — a free community celebration hosted by Continental Divide Brew Pub and NYM Cultural Center. Vendor booths are $25 each, first-come, first-served.

To register, call 218-385-3339 or email info@kulcher.org.

FEE: Free to apply

Upstream Creative Writers/Grassroots Journalism Residency: Writing About Natural Places, Stewards, and the Spaces We Care For

Applications Open: June 8, 2026

Deadline to Apply: July 6, 2026, 11:59 PM

Location / Venue: Remote Residency

Applications are now open for the Upstream Creative Writers/Grassroots Journalism Residency: Writing About Natural Places, Stewards, and the Spaces We Care For. This nine-month remote residency invites creative writers, poets, storytellers, and grassroots journalists to explore Minnesota’s parks, waterways, forests, natural places, and the people who care for them.

Selected artists will receive a $3,000 stipend, up to $500 in mileage reimbursement, a Minnesota State Parks Pass, mentorship and creative support, and opportunities to publish and share their work statewide.

Eligible applicants must be Minnesota residents age 18 or older and reside in one of the following regions: East Side St. Paul, West Central Minnesota (Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin Counties), or the Iron Range (Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis Counties).

Applications are open through July 6, 2026, at 11:59 PM. For questions, contact Naomi RaMona Schliesman at naomi@mnupstream.org or call (320) 288-5369.

FEE: Free to Apply

America250 – Detroit Lakes Community Art Showcase

Application Deadline: July 12, 2026

VFW Post 1676, in partnership with Project 412, invites artists of all ages and experience levels to participate in the America250 – Detroit Lakes Community Art Showcase, a community exhibition celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Artists are encouraged to create original artwork exploring what America means to them and to share their unique perspectives on the nation's past, present, and future through creative expression.

The exhibition is open to artists of all ages, and there is no fee to apply.

Awards:
• First Place – $1,500
• Second Place – $750
• Third Place – $500
• People's Choice Award – $750

Selected artwork will be exhibited during Art in the Park on Sunday, July 26, 2026, from 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at Detroit Lakes City Park. Accepted artists will be asked to deliver artwork during the week of July 20 and pick up their work following the exhibition on July 26 between 3:00–3:30 PM.

Application guidelines and submission details are available at Project412mn.org/call-for-art.

Completed applications must be submitted by July 12, 2026 to Hello@Project412mn.org.

Presented by VFW Post 1676 and Project 412, this community exhibition celebrates creativity, civic reflection, and the stories that shape America.

FEE: Free to Apply

LRAC Artist Quick Start Grant Applications Open

Application Opens: June 25, 2026 | Lake Region Arts Council

The Artist Quick Start Grant provides $2,000 to support activities and projects that advance artistic achievement and career development. This opportunity is open to individual artists in all disciplines—including visual, literary, music, performance, and interdisciplinary arts—who live within LRAC's nine-county region and have never previously received artist funding through an LRAC grant program.

Whether you're pursuing a new creative project, attending professional development opportunities, or investing in your artistic practice, the Artist Quick Start Grant can help you take the next step in your career.

Application Opens: June 25, 2026

Deadlines: July 23, 2026

FEE: $375 | Registration Required

Summer Jazz Band Camp – FM Kicks Band, Session 2

Monday, July 6 – Thursday, July 9, 2026 | 9:00 – 11:45 AM | MSUM Roland Dille Center for the Arts, Moorhead, MN

Play jazz? This is for you. Never played jazz? This is for you.

All concert band wind instruments (including flute, clarinet, Euphonium, etc.) and drum set, piano, bass, and guitar, are accepted.

Each week builds on the last – registration for all three weeks is recommended.

The Kicks Band of Fargo Moorhead is pleased to announce open registration for musicians of all ages with two or more years of band experience. All wind instruments are accepted, including flute, clarinet, euphonium, etc. Space is limited for drums, piano, bass, and guitar; register early to secure a spot.

You will be performing in a jazz band/combo with others at a similar playing level, attending jazz history/listening/ear training sessions, studying jazz improvisation, and participating in a jazz combo or big band.

No prior jazz experience is required.

This activity is funded in part through an operating support grant from the Lake Region Arts Council through a Minnesota State legislative appropriation.

FEE: Free to Apply

Call for Artists: Self-Portraiture – Reflections of the Self

Applications Open: July 20 – August 17, 2026 | Lake Region Arts Council

Lake Region Arts Council invites visual artists from its nine-county region to submit work for Self-Portraiture: Reflections of the Self, a regional exhibition celebrating the many ways artists see, interpret, and express themselves.

This exhibition welcomes self-portraits in all visual mediums, embracing realistic, abstract, symbolic, conceptual, and imaginative interpretations of identity. Artists are encouraged to explore themes of memory, culture, place, emotion, lived experience, alter-egos, mythology, and the stories that shape who they are.

Eligible artwork includes:

• 2D artwork (painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, digital art, etc.)

• 3D and sculptural works

• Mixed media and multimedia artwork

• Installation proposals (space permitting)

Artists may submit up to three original works, and artist statements are encouraged, particularly for conceptual or symbolic pieces.

Eligibility: Open to artists age 18 and older residing within LRAC's nine-county region.

Important Dates:

• Applications Open: July 20, 2026

• Submission Deadline: August 17, 2026

• Artist Notification: August 28, 2026

• Exhibition Dates: September 28 – December 17, 2026

Reception & Artist Talks:
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Reception: 5:00–6:30 PM
Artist Talks: 5:30 PM

We look forward to seeing the many ways artists reflect, reveal, and reimagine themselves through art.

FEE: Free to Apply

Fall Project Grant for Organizations

Application Opens: July 20, 2026 | Deadline: August 27, 2026 | Lake Region Arts Council

The Fall Project Grant provides up to $4,500 to support arts programming by nonprofit arts organizations, nonprofit organizations, local governments, and educational institutions within LRAC's nine-county region.

Funding may be used for a variety of arts activities, including productions, exhibitions, touring artists, artist residencies, workshops, and other projects that engage communities through the arts.

A 20% cash or in-kind match is required.

Application Opens: July 20, 2026

Deadline: August 27, 2026

FEE: $375 | Registration Required

Summer Jazz Band Camp – FM Kicks Band, Session 3

Monday, July 27 – Thursday, July 30, 2026 | 9:00 – 11:45 AM | MSUM Roland Dille Center for the Arts, Moorhead, MN

Play jazz? This is for you. Never played jazz? This is for you.

All concert band wind instruments (including flute, clarinet, Euphonium, etc.) and drum set, piano, bass, and guitar, are accepted.

Each week builds on the last – registration for all three weeks is recommended.

The Kicks Band of Fargo Moorhead is pleased to announce open registration for musicians of all ages with two or more years of band experience. All wind instruments are accepted, including flute, clarinet, euphonium, etc. Space is limited for drums, piano, bass, and guitar; register early to secure a spot.

You will be performing in a jazz band/combo with others at a similar playing level, attending jazz history/listening/ear training sessions, studying jazz improvisation, and participating in a jazz combo or big band.

No prior jazz experience is required.

This activity is funded in part through an operating support grant from the Lake Region Arts Council through a Minnesota State legislative appropriation.