Arts Education
This pilot program helps Minnesotans develop personal relationships with an art form(s) by supporting learning experiences for individuals of all ages and abilities. Project grant funds may be used for age-appropriate classes, workshops, camps, after-school programs, arts field trips, online education programs, arts education programs in community settings, school residencies or partnerships, or other programs that help participants develop their creativity and artistic skills by learning an art form.
Program overview and application instructions
FY 2026 Arts Education Program Overview and Application Instructions—All applicants should read this document thoroughly before beginning an application.
Application deadline
February 7, 2025, before 4:30 p.m.
When will funds be awarded?
Grant awards will be approved at the August 2025 board meeting. The grant period for these awards will be October 2025 - September 2026; all funded activities must take place within the grant period.
Who can apply?
Both individuals and organizations are eligible to apply. The applicant must be:
An individual
- An artist working in dance, media arts, music, photography, poetry, prose, theater, or two-and three-dimensional visual art; or
- A culture bearer who has been trained by traditional elders or master artists and whose artistic practice is reflective of the cultural life of a community; or
An organization
- A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt arts organization; or
- A 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonarts organization that regularly offers arts programming as an integral part of its mission; or
- A unit of state, local, or tribal government; or
- A public school or public school district serving students in any grade (K-12); or
- An arts affiliate of a nonprofit organization or public entity; or
- An arts group without 501(c)(3) status applying with a Minnesota tax-exempt or public fiscal sponsor
An individual may submit an application in only one of the following programs in FY 2026: Creative Individuals, Arts Experiences, Arts Education, or Cultural Expression.
An organization may submit an application in only one of the following programs in FY 2026: Arts Experiences, Arts Education, Cultural Expression.
Additional eligibility requirements are included in the FY 2026 Arts Education Program Overview and Application Instructions. Please review all eligibility requirements carefully before beginning an application.
Grant range
Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000. No cash match is required.
Resources for applicants
FY 2026 Arts Education Information Session and Q&A with Program Officer
Recording | Download PowerPoint
Learn more about the FY 2026 Arts Education grant program. This virtual information session provides details about the program purpose, eligibility, and application process.
FY 2026 Grant Programs Overview
The Arts Board hosted two virtual sessions giving a high-level overview of the grant programs offered for organizations and individuals in fiscal year 2026. Potential applicants may wish to review the recording of either of these sessions to help determine which is the best fit for their work. Note that the program specific information session linked above will provide a more in-depth understanding of the Arts Education grant program for potential applicants.
FY 2026 Grant Programs Overview for Organizations– Recording | Download PowerPoint
FY 2026 Grant Programs Overview for Individuals– Recording | Download PowerPoint
Sample applications
The following applications were submitted by fiscal year 2025 grantees.
The files may take several minutes to download.
If you have questions or need assistance
If you have questions about the content of the application form or narrative, please contact:
Jenny Dodgson, program officer
ArtsEducation@arts.state.mn.us
(651) 539-2672
If you have questions about the technical aspects of the online application forms, or questions about electronic submission, please e-mail the Arts Board at:
Apply.Arts@state.mn.us
Tom Miller, WebGrants administrator
(651) 539-2656
Chris Berry, grants management systems administrator
(651) 539-2668
For accessibility inquiries or accommodation requests, please contact:
Sue Gens, outreach and accessibility coordinator
Sue.Gens@arts.state.mn.us
(651) 539-2658
The Arts Board offers accommodations, such as alternate format materials, transcription, and other technical assistance, upon request. Grant application deadlines are not able to be extended for any reason. To ensure we are able to provide you access, please make your accommodation request as soon as possible, and no less than two weeks prior to a grant application deadline.
All staff can be reached toll-free at (800) 866-2787 or via Minnesota Relay 711.
How to apply
Application method—All applicants are required to use the WebGrants system to apply and will submit all materials electronically. Registration is required of all applicants before beginning an application to any Arts Board program. It is only necessary to register once.
Two online tutorials are available to acquaint users with the WebGrants system:
Grantee reports and amendments
The following links provide information and instructions regarding final reports and related material required from Arts Board grantees.
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