That depends! We offer different types of grants that cover different guidelines, our current programs are: Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant, Small Arts Project or School Arts Project Grant, Artist Grants, and Youth Scholarship.

Each of these grants is tailored to different types of arts-related projects and applicants, from individual artists to community organizations and schools.

Yes. We offer our applicants the opportunity to apply in their native language if English isn’t their first. You can use the accessibility tool bar to translate our web pages and PDFs you download from our website. For assistance, email info@plrac.org.

We have different deadlines for each grant. Here’s a breakdown of our due dates.

• Arts and Cultural Heritage (ACH) Grants – Deadlines are August 1st and February 1st.

• Artist Career Development Grant – April 1st.

• Professional Mid-Career Artist Grant – October 1st.

• School Arts Project Grant – Due on July 1st and the 1st of each month thereafter until funds are exhausted.

• Small Arts Project Grant – Due on July 1st and the 1st of each month thereafter until funds are exhausted

• Youth Scholarship – November 1st for students in grades 3-12.
  

No! These funds are available to anyone who wants to fund a creative project of their choosing.

No! You don't have to work in the arts industry to apply for an artist grant.

The grant award may be considered taxable income. Grantees must submit a W9 and will receive a 1099-NEC (Miscellaneous Income - Nonemployee Compensation) form dated in 2025. Please contact a tax provider with any additional tax related questions.

Yes. If you are not an incorporated 501c3, we encourage you to work with eligible fiscal sponsors in your area. An arts group located within the region, formed as a limited liability company (LLC) with a not-for-profit intent may be eligible to apply if they are using a fiscal sponsor.

Small Projects Grants for those not benefiting underserved communities can receive $2,500.

If your project is led or benefitting an underserved community, you may be eligible to apply for $4,000.

For information on if your project is eligible, contact our office at info@plrac.org.

Schools applying for the School Arts Project Grant must be public or private non-parochial K-12 schools within the nine-county region.

Funds cannot be used for routine school activities, fundraising events, travel outside Minnesota, or projects without a strong artistic component. Funds also cannot be used for endowment funds, property acquisition, or commercial activities.

We offer 3 types of funding. To decide which amount to apply for, consider the focus of your project:

1. ACH Arts Project Grant: Apply up to $9,000 if your project centers on arts programming that requires artist fees, equipment, promotion, or other operational expenses for in-person or virtual events.

2. ACH Arts & Music Festivals Grant: Apply up to $6,000 if you're planning a festival or activity that highlights diverse ethnic and cultural arts traditions.

3. ACH Education Grant: Apply up to $6,000 if your project involves arts education, such as classes, workshops, performances, or field trips tailored for schools or community groups.

Yes, public art projects such as sculptures, murals, and other forms of public art are eligible for funding through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant, especially if they engage the public or reach new audiences.

Yes! Organizations that are not 501(c)(3) nonprofits may still apply by partnering with a Fiscal Sponsor, allowing them to meet the eligibility requirements.

The Prairie Lakes Youth Scholarship Program offers scholarships for students in grades 3-12 to take classes in various art forms, including dance, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual arts, and folk/traditional arts. There’s a lot to discover within the arts, here’s some learning opportunities:

• Private Lessons – Students can use the scholarship to pay for one-on-one or group lessons with a professional artist in their chosen field. This setup allows for personalized guidance and skill development in their specific art form.

• Classes at Nonprofit Arts Organizations – Scholarships can also cover enrollment fees for classes or programs offered by nonprofit arts centers, youth dance groups, music schools, and other organizations dedicated to youth art education.

The scholarship is intended for motivated students in grades 3-12 who are looking to excel in an art form and engage in ongoing learning. The scholarship may be competitive, prioritizing students who show dedication to improving in their chosen art.

Yes, lessons can be conducted in-person or online via platforms like Skype, Zoom, or other live virtual platforms.