The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council this week announced a call for grant proposals, with a postmark deadline of Oct. 1. Projects must take place between Dec. 1 and Nov. 30, 2012.

SEMAC is a nonprofit arts agency and is the state of Minnesota arts board-designated regional arts council for the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona.

Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund grants

Proposals for Arts & Cultural Heritage funds, ranging from $3,000 to $10,000 are accepted from qualified applicants. A match of 20 percent is required in this category.

The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund will support arts focused activities in three key areas: Arts and arts access, arts education, and arts and cultural heritage. SEMAC encourages applicants to research and develop proposals that incorporate two or more of the key areas with an emphasis on creating lasting partnerships among regional nonprofit arts organizations and other nonprofit groups. In addition to eligible arts organizations, nonprofits that do not have arts as a primary focus, such as schools, senior centers, community education, cultural groups and colleges are invited to apply.

Future funding of Arts and Cultural Heritage Grants depends on appropriate use of current funding. SEMAC urges arts organizations, non-arts organizations with an arts component and government entities to apply. First-time applicants must call the SEMAC office to sign up for a grant writing workshop. All applicants are encouraged to attend these workshops. The dates will be in September; to sign up, call the SEMAC office at 507-281-4848.

Presenter/production assistance grants

Proposals for presenter/production grants offer funding up to $3,000 to qualified applicants. Matching funds are required.

Presenter assistance grants are intended to help regional arts organizations and educational institutions sponsor appearances by touring artists or companies who have demonstrated high levels of artistic quality. These grants are not for local productions or artist residencies in schools.

Production assistance grants support activities directly involved in the creation, performance, publication and exhibition of art. The two distinct subcategories within production assistance grants are: arts production projects and administrative support projects.

Small towns/rural areas grants

The small towns/rural areas grants offer funding up to $3,000 to qualified applicants located in areas with populations under 7,500. Matching funds are required.

SEMAC wishes to support and encourage the creation and development of art and arts organizations in communities with populations under 7,500. This support may be used for assistance in activities which directly involve the creation, performance, publication or exhibition of art or assistance in administrative, operating or capital expenditures. Applicants may include arts organizations, government entities and public or non-religious private schools, either individually or in cooperation. These grants are not for individual artists.

For information about the grant application process, eligibility, or grant writing assistance, contact the SEMAC office at 2778 D Commerce Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901 or call 507-281-4848. Information may also be found at www.semac.org.