On Tuesday, the Board of Directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awarded 23 grants for a total of $91,070 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. 

This included seven emerging artist grants for $17,070, as well as 10 advancing artist grants for $50,000, and six general operating support grants to arts organizations for $24,000.

Albert Lea Community Band was among those that received a grant. The $4,000 grant the group received is a general operating support grant for staffing and salaries.

SEMAC is the State Arts Board-designated granting authority for local/regional arts producing and sponsoring organizations and disburses funds allocated for this purpose by the Minnesota Legislature.  The SEMAC region includes the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha and Winona.

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.