The Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council announces a call for proposals by individual artists.  All proposed projects must begin no earlier than Sept. 1, and be completed within one year, culminating with a capstone event that is accessible and open to the public.  Online applications will be available throughout June with a July 1 submission deadline.

Individual artist grants are available to encourage the development of entirely original artistic works. SEMAC offers two distinct grants for individual artists. Advancing artist grants recognize, reward and encourage outstanding individual artists and provide some financial support to enable them to continue their work.  Emerging artist grants offer small but critical support for specific projects by developing artists from all disciplines who are committed to advancing their work.

Proposals will be accepted from individual artists who are 18 or older, not currently enrolled in high school and are full-time residents of the SEMAC region.  The maximum amount for advancing artists is $5,000. The maximum amount for emerging artists is $2,500.  No matching funds are required.

For information about the grant application process, eligibility or grant writing assistance, contact the SEMAC office at 2778 D Commerce Drive NW, Rochester, MN 55901; or call 507-281-4848. Information may also be found  at www.semac.org. With limited funding available each fiscal year, every SEMAC grant category is competitive and includes a stage used as an initial screening for eligibility.

The individual artist grant program is supported by a private foundation.

SEMAC, a nonprofit arts agency, is designated by the State of Minnesota Arts Board as the regional arts council for 11 southeastern Minnesota counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona.

The grant is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board due to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.