GIG Fund

Flexible support to help arts and culture organizations grow their capacity, fund artist engagements, and build community.

What is the GIG Fund?

Arts Midwest’s Grow, Invest, Gather (GIG) Fund provides financial support to arts organizations for rebuilding and re-imagining creative engagement in their communities amidst the challenging uncertainty affecting all corners of the creative sector. Whether your organization is recovering, starting anew, or doing your best to hold steady, this flexible support opportunity will help you grow by investing in your capacity to gather your community to experience the power of creative expression together. Funds are intended for organizations to build their capacity by having multiple points of access to support presenting performing and visual artists of high artistic merit, virtually or in-person.

Read more guidelines about Project Requirements 

Background

The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation (BLACF) supports specific community initiatives through a variety of grants. BLACF seeks to make smaller grants for general operations and programs to address changing community needs. BLACF also seeks to make significant grants that will bring about community-wide, lasting, and positive changes in the Brainerd Lakes area. BLACF is looking to provide leadership and financial support that goes beyond the grant in order to advance the project or initiative that needs a large dollar amount to get started or completed.

Focus Areas

• Bridging the Opportunity Gap
  • Grants for projects that support disadvantaged youth and help them participate in events, activities or related programs that build skills and career knowledge that help lead to future success
• Community Enhancement and Economic Development
  • Community Economic Vitality and Sustainability
  • Welcoming Communities
  • Access to music, arts and especially those made available to the disadvantaged or open to all
  • Projects that aid in the solution of current community problems or challenges.

Funding Amount Range: $2,500 to $15,000

NOTE: New applicants or groups with different projects (those not receiving a grant in FY 2022 or 2021) must contact staff prior to submitting an application to review the project, budget and inquire about funds available; otherwise, the applicant will not be considered eligible for funding.

Mission

The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council serves the artistic communities of the 9-county area of southcentral MN by supporting the creation and presentation of diverse art forms, fostering equitable access to arts opportunities, and integrating arts and culture to enhance quality of life in our communities.

Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant

Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council will have one grant program called Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant, which includes different categories of funding. These funds come from the Legacy Amendment. A variety of activities including art and music festivals, community choirs, dance performances, literary readings, instrumental and vocal music concerts, theater productions, visual art classes and exhibitions are eligible. This includes an arts activity in dance, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual art, folk and traditional art. No specific cash match is required.

Proposals are for arts programming by an organization, defined as maintaining on-going arts programs, producing or sponsoring arts activities, offering new and different activities, and equipment that enhances the artistic capabilities of the organization.  This also includes public art, sculpture, murals, etc., and activities that plan to reach new audiences such as youth, ethnic groups, senior citizen groups, etc. and engage the public in new ways. Organizations that are not a 501c3 nonprofit may apply using a Fiscal Sponsor.

Goals

The goals of the project you are proposing must support at least one of the '5 Main Goals' of Minnesota Arts Legacy funding:

• Supporting artists and arts organizations in creating, producing and presenting high quality arts activities.
• Overcoming barriers to accessing high-quality arts activities.
• Instilling the arts into the community and public life in our region.
• Supporting high-quality, age-appropriate arts education for residents of all ages to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts.
• Supporting events and activities that represent the diverse ethnic and cultural arts traditions including folk and traditional artists and art organizations, represented in this region

Arts & Music Festivals Grant

Grants are for events and activities that represent the diverse ethnic and cultural arts traditions, including folk and traditional artists and art organizations, represented in this state. This may include folk art classes, single performances, a series of cultural activities, arts/music festivals, etc. Arts celebrations in communities can use grant funds for music groups that are performing in a community setting, but not for marching band fees that are participating during a parade.

Arts and music festivals are defined as a celebration of art and culture that:

• Has a significant focus on the arts.
• Has a mission statement of why the festival exists and what they hope to promote.
• Provides a showcase of Minnesota artists. List the name, city and music genre in the grant, and cost.
• Contains many activities consolidated into a condensed time period.
• Has several different, yet related, arts activities happening simultaneously.
• Is open, inviting, and available to a diverse audience

Arts and music festival grants are meant to involve Minnesota individual artists and performing groups into arts components of community-based festivals and celebrations. We suggest you use Minnesota artists if possible, but it is not required.

NOTE: New applicants or groups with different projects (those not receiving a grant in FY 2022 or 2021) must contact staff prior to submitting an application to review the project, budget and inquire about funds available; otherwise, the applicant will not be considered eligible for funding.

Mission

The Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council serves the artistic communities of the 9-county area of southcentral MN by supporting the creation and presentation of diverse art forms, fostering equitable access to arts opportunities, and integrating arts and culture to enhance quality of life in our communities.

Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant

Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council will have one grant program called Arts and Cultural Heritage Grant, which includes different categories of funding. These funds come from the Legacy Amendment. A variety of activities including art and music festivals, community choirs, dance performances, literary readings, instrumental and vocal music concerts, theater productions, visual art classes and exhibitions are eligible. This includes an arts activity in dance, literature, media arts, music, theater, visual art, folk and traditional art. No specific cash match is required.

Proposals are for arts programming by an organization, defined as maintaining on-going arts programs, producing or sponsoring arts activities, offering new and different activities, and equipment that enhances the artistic capabilities of the organization.  This also includes public art, sculpture, murals, etc., and activities that plan to reach new audiences such as youth, ethnic groups, senior citizen groups, etc. and engage the public in new ways. Organizations that are not a 501c3 nonprofit may apply using a Fiscal Sponsor.

Goals

The goals of the project you are proposing must support at least one of the '5 Main Goals' of Minnesota Arts Legacy funding:

• Supporting artists and arts organizations in creating, producing and presenting high quality arts activities.
• Overcoming barriers to accessing high-quality arts activities.
• Instilling the arts into the community and public life in our region.
• Supporting high-quality, age-appropriate arts education for residents of all ages to develop knowledge, skills, and understanding of the arts.
• Supporting events and activities that represent the diverse ethnic and cultural arts traditions including folk and traditional artists and art organizations, represented in this region

Arts Project Grant

Arts Programming and Access — maximum request $7,000.  Funds may be used for Arts programming that is in person or virtual. Expenses may include artist fees, artist travel, salaries, equipment, technology, training, promotion, monthly rent (lease payments) and utilities.

Mission

The Mission of Lake Region Arts Council is to encourage and support the vitality of the arts in West Central Minnesota.

Project Grant

Project Grant activities must be directly involved in the creation, performance and/or exhibition of an artistic project. The Project Grant is open to all artistic disciplines, art, dance, literary, musical performance, etc.

The Project’s primary focus must be the artistic activity and not other purposes or goals.

Grant Categories

Project grant activities can include, but are not limited to:

• Production or Exhibition Activities:
  • The project may directly involve the creation, performance or exhibition of artistic activities, or the development of an artistic form.
  • Organizations may apply for the specific artistic activities taking place during the festival or fair. Examples, performances, concerts, demonstrations, workshops, etc.
• Guest Artists:
  • Individuals and Ensembles may be contracted from outside the organization for the purpose of artistic development.
  • The focus is on providing the audience access to a wide variety of professional artistic experiences, such as:
    • Performances by touring artist or company
    • Touring exhibitions and displays
    • Film and video screenings
    • Public readings
  • The Project may concentrate on
    • Developing the organization
    • Developing individuals or artistic resources of the community
    • Presenting a public performance by the visiting professional with or without the members of the organization
• School Residencies for K-12 Public Schools:
  • School applicants should develop residency programs that enhance existing school curriculums. A school residency will include an interactive learning component.
  • Arts organizations may sponsor an artist residency program that enhances an existing school curriculum.
  • The role of the artist-in-residence is to work in cooperation with teachers to devise a plan which best corresponds to the strengths of the artist and the needs of the classes. Applicants must make sure that some component of the residency is accessible to the community, such as a public performance or exhibit.
• Organizational Development:
  • This support is for the development of the arts organization to promote its artistic growth. It is not for the continuation of ongoing managerial functions or regular staff costs.
  • Types of support can include:
    • Administrative or consultant services:
      • Funds for managerial or consultant projects for improving existing artistic programs or developing new artistic programs.
      • Most grants for administrative or consultant services will be awarded on a one-time basis.
      • Applications for a second grant for a similar project may be considered again; however organizations must demonstrate substantial need and commitment to carrying on the position after initial funding.
      • These services may include: public relations, audience development, design assistance, fiscal management, and other related management activities.
    • Production or planning services:
      • Activities that support and/or assist the needs of arts organizations and artists, or of the art needs of the general community by being commonly administered or coordinated by one agency.
      • Most grants requested for consultants to assist in the production or planning of arts services will be awarded on a one-time basis.
• Publications:
  • Funds are available for the production of literary magazines and small press books.
  • Grants are also available for special publications on the arts.
  • Monies may be requested for editorial services, production costs, and compensation for contributing writers or distribution.
• Workshops, Classes and Arts Awareness Projects:
  • Activities or materials may include classes, conferences, or workshops, publications, films, exhibits and other presentations of this nature.
  • These activities may also culminate in a public performance or exhibit by participants.
• Series of Events:
  • A series of events may be funded if there is an identifiable theme to the series. Grant funds may support artist fees, marketing, and other project expenses for multiple day activities such as workshops, concerts, demonstrations, lectures or other types of artistic presentations.

Funding Information

The Project’s activities must be completed in 12 months or less. Your organization may request funding of up to $3,000 per application. Your organization may apply for more than one Project Grant in each grant round. No organization may receive more than $5,000 per fiscal year for multiple Project Grants from the Fall and Spring Grants rounds. The fiscal year is from July 1st to June 30th.

Exception: University departments, public elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and community education departments in the same school district are each considered eligible to receive a maximum of $5,000 for multiple project grants in any one fiscal year.

Laura Jane Musser  was born June 4, 1916, the child of Drew Musser and Sarah "Sally" Walker Musser. She lived in Little Falls, MN all of her life at the family home, Linden Hill. Upon her death in 1989 at the age of 73, The Laura Jane Musser came into being to continue on with some of her interests in life, including the arts and helping children, as expressed in the guidelines.Rural Arts ProgramGeneral Operating Support Program In recognition of Laura Jane Musser's life-long commitment to excellence in the arts, and with awareness that pivotal and life-changing experience can occur for individuals through introduction to and participation in the arts, the Laura Jane Musser Fund hopes to encourage and excite a wider population to appreciate, learn, and participate in the arts.  The Musser Fund hopes to assist nonprofit arts organizations in rural communities to develop, implement or sustain exceptional artistic opportunities for adults and children in the areas of literary, visual, music, and performing arts. Priority is placed on organizations that:

• Increase access to the arts through scholarships, hands-on activities, community venues, workshops, discounts and other innovations;
• Demonstrate capacity to engage their community in the creation of art;
• Demonstrate support from their community (through volunteerism, membership, in-kind, or other types of support).

Grantees that request second and third years of support will be asked to report on their progress toward the goals they articulated in their previous year's application, especially in the following areas:

• Increasing access to their services;
• Increasing their organizational sustainability;
• Increasing support from their community. 

About

Together we unite foundations in Alexandria, Brainerd, Carver County, the greater St. Cloud area, Willmar and beyond under a single framework to create efficiencies that maximize the impact of our donors.

Mission:

Engaging People. Connecting Resources. Building Community.

We Believe In:

• Capturing and preserving the legacy of our donors … Forever
• Our duty to provide unparalleled, personalized service to our donors
• Inspiring philanthropy across generations
• Utilizing financial resources as a tool to bring about lasting, positive change
• Our responsibility to serve as a trusted local leader and community catalyst, building connections between people who share a common geography

Central Minnesota Arts Grant

In even years (2024, 2026, 2028…) the Central Minnesota Community Foundation opens this grant round to support small to medium sizes arts organizations in Central Minnesota and arts activities conducted by other organizations. The goal is to make the arts more accessible to area residents.

Focus Areas

Arts: Visual Art or Performing Arts (dance, music, drama)

• Support small to medium size organizations
• Support organizations to:
  • Create access to the arts
  • Support the appreciation of the arts
  • Increase art education
  • Engage people in arts performances or arts exhibits

Arts Experiences

This pilot program supports individuals and organizations in providing meaningful arts experiences for Minnesotans within their communities. Funds may be used for a variety of arts programming such as creating and/or presenting concerts, plays, tours, exhibitions, arts festivals, public art, or other kinds of activities that provide Minnesotans opportunities to engage in arts activities that are instilled into community or public life.

Grant range

Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000. No cash match is required.

CMAB Artist in Residence Grant

The Artist in Residence (AIR) program provides funds of up to $3,500 to schools and nonprofit organizations in support of activities directed by, or conducted in cooperation with an artist who engages students and enables learning through the creative process. These funds are provided through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Resident artists must be chosen on the basis of their ability to enhance programs and curriculum. Resident artists must be chosen based on their ability to enhance programs and curriculum. An ideal residency is composed of a balance between demonstration and hands-on activity.

Program Outcomes

• Regional residents learn new arts skills & techniques.
• Regional residents gain awareness and appreciation for a variety of artistic disciplines and mediums.
• Regional artists build their capacity through professional development.

Proposals to the Artist in Residence program must contain the following components:

• Arts Learning activities conducted with a core group
• A Community Component that invites and informs the community surrounding the school or organization to learn about or participate in residency activities
• A Staff In-Service component that builds staff capacity and/or supports residency activities