EVENT LINK: https://forecastpublicart.org/consulting/artist-support/artist-grant-program/

FEE: Free to apply

Forecast Public Artist Grants

Forecast grants support Minnesota-based individual early- and mid-career artists looking to advance their work in public art.

We work to provide access to our grant applications for a diverse group of artists, who are working in all career stages and ranges of public art practices and media. We place particular emphasis on supporting and amplifying the artistic work of BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, womxn artists, immigrant artists, artists from rural communities, and artists with disabilities.

It is our value that our applicants, panelists, and grantees reflect the racial, cultural, gender, artistic, physical ability, and geographic diversity of Minnesota and the 11 Native Nations that share the same geography, and the stories and perspectives of the artists and communities we serve.

2026 grant applications are now open! Due October 15, 2025.

EARLY-CAREER GRANTS:

Early-Career Artist R&D Grant

Supports early-career artists in public art related research and development or with the planning phase of freely accessible public art installation or activity in Minnesota.

APPLY HERE

Early-Career Artist Project Grant

Supports creation of a temporary or permanent public artwork anywhere in the state of Minnesota by an early-career Minnesota-based artist.

APPLY HERE

MID-CAREER GRANTS:

Mid-Career Project Grant

Supports the creation of a new, publicly accessible, temporary or permanent artwork anywhere in the state of Minnesota by a Minnesota-based mid-career public artist.

APPLY HERE

Mid-Career Professional Development Grant 

Supports Minnesota-based mid-career artists seeking to expand or advance their careers in the field of public art, through a project idea or participation in career-enhancing activities.

APPLY HERE

EVENT LINK: https://lrac4.org/legacy-grants

FEE: Free to apply

FY26 Fall Legacy Grant rounds for both Individual Artists and Nonprofit Arts Organizations in the 9-county LRAC region are open from August 18 - October 2, 2025 at 5PM!

Individual Artists: The Legacy Individual Grant provides up to $6,000 to individual artists in the LRAC nine-county region, to increase Arts Access, Arts Learning and Arts and Cultural Heritage opportunities for all Minnesotans.

Nonprofit Arts Organizations: The Legacy Organization Grant provides up to $12,500 to increase Arts Access, Arts Learning and Arts and Cultural Heritage opportunities for all Minnesotans. This grant is open to Arts Organizations (nonprofit), nonprofits with project that have Arts as the primary focus, local governments, and educational institutions in the LRAC nine-county region.

Minnesota’s Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage funding is made possible from an appropriation by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

Proceeds from the fund may be spent only on requests that support arts access, arts education or arts and cultural heritage.  The fund is intended to create a strong arts legacy in Minnesota and will exist for a period of twenty-five years.

Lake Region Arts Council’s Legacy grant programs will be based on the three key areas of Arts Access, Arts Education, and Arts & Cultural Heritage.

EVENT LINK: https://forecastpublicart.org/consulting/artist-support/mid-career-professional-development-grant/

FEE: Free to apply

Forecast Mid-Career Professional Development Grants

Grant Amount: Two grants of $5,000 each
Grant Period: January 1 – November 30, 2026
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025 (11:59 PM CST)

This grant supports Minnesota-based mid-career public artists seeking to advance their careers through professional development opportunities. Funding may be used for activities such as residencies, apprenticeships, conferences, travel, study, skill development, or creating prototypes and project models. The goal is to help artists expand their practice and further their work in public art.

Who is eligible?
Mid-career artists (with at least 10 years of active practice and public recognition of their work) from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Forecast is especially committed to supporting BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, womxn artists, immigrants, rural artists, and artists with disabilities.

How to Apply:
Applications are accepted only through Submittable. Required materials include a proposal, community benefit statement, career impact statement, resume, work samples, and site information. Video applications are welcome.

These grants are made possible through funding from the McKnight Foundation. For assistance, contact jenk@forecastpublicart.org.

EVENT LINK: https://forecastpublicart.org/consulting/artist-support/early-career-project-grant/

FEE: Free to apply

Forecast Early-Career Artist Project Grant

Grant Amount: Two grants of $8,000 each
Grant Period: January 1 – November 30, 2026
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025

Forecast Public Art, with support from Jerome Foundation, invites Minnesota-based early-career artists to apply for the 2026 Early-Career Artist Project Grant. This grant supports the creation of a new temporary or permanent public artwork anywhere in Minnesota.

What We Fund

• Public art in all forms—murals, sculpture, performance, sound, light, storytelling, dance, spoken word, interventions, and more.

• Projects must be free and accessible to the public.

• Sites must be confirmed by the application deadline (written approval required).

Who Should Apply
Early-career artists are those with 2–10 years of generative experience who:

• Have a clear artistic direction and goals, but are still developing their voice.

• Have not yet received wide recognition, media attention, or substantial funding.

• Are vocational (not hobbyist, student, or amateur) artists.

• May work in any artistic discipline.
  Age is not a determining factor.

Equity Commitment
Forecast is committed to supporting a diverse group of artists, with emphasis on amplifying the work of BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, women artists, immigrant artists, artists from rural communities, and artists with disabilities.

Application Process
Applications must be submitted through Submittable by October 15, 2025. A complete application includes:

• Proposal overview (75 words) + full proposal (500 words)

• Community connection, early-career status, career impact, and lived experience (250 words each)

• Resume (2 pages max)

• Site approval documentation

• Budget (template provided)

• Work samples and description
  Applicants may also submit via video format.

For questions or help applying in English, contact jenk@forecastpublicart.org.

These grants are made possible by the Jerome Foundation.

EVENT LINK: https://forecastpublicart.org/consulting/artist-support/mid-career-project-grant/

FEE: Free to apply

Forecast Mid-Career Project Grants

Grant Amount: Five grants of $10,000 each
Grant Period: January 1 – November 30, 2026
Application Deadline: October 15, 2025

The Mid-Career Project Grant supports Minnesota-based public artists in creating new, publicly accessible temporary or permanent artwork anywhere in the state. Eligible projects may take many forms—including visual art, performance, storytelling, sculpture, film, and more—and must have secured site approval by the application deadline.

Who is eligible?
Applicants must be mid-career artists (with at least 10 years of active practice and public recognition of their work). Artists from all disciplines and communities are encouraged to apply. Forecast places special emphasis on supporting BIPOC and Native artists, LGBTQIA+ artists, womxn artists, immigrants, rural artists, and artists with disabilities.

How to Apply:
Applications are accepted only through Submittable and require a proposal, community connection statement, site documentation, budget, resume, and work samples. Video submissions are welcome. A budget template and full application instructions are available online.

These grants are funded by the McKnight Foundation. For application assistance, contact jenk@forecastpublicart.org