ECRAC Small/Art Project Grant

The Small/Art Project Grant offered by the East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) provides funding support to local or regional arts projects organized by groups, organizations, nonprofits, and units of government located within Region 7E of Minnesota. This region includes the counties of Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Pine, and the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe lands. ECRAC is an independent nonprofit that administers grant programs funded by appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature via the Minnesota State Arts Board. The program is designed to support a wide range of arts activities including creation, sponsorship, publication, performance, and exhibition. Eligible projects may include performances by touring artists, public art, visual art exhibitions, local theater productions, artist residencies, community workshops, film screenings, and other initiatives that increase access to the arts for local audiences. Applications must demonstrate artistic merit, public engagement, and project feasibility. The grant strongly encourages projects that promote participation in the arts or benefit the local arts ecosystem. Applicants may request between $600 and $5,000 in funding and must provide a 1:1 match. Both cash and in-kind contributions are eligible toward the match. Schools are also eligible for this grant program. There is no limit on the number of Small/Art Project Grants an applicant may receive in a fiscal year, but only one application per deadline may be submitted. The program is open to all Region 7E-based nonprofits, arts organizations, community groups, government units, and schools. There are three application deadlines per year: October 1, February 1, and April 1. Projects must begin at least 60 days after the application deadline. Applications must be submitted through the ECRAC Grant Portal, which opens approximately four to six weeks before each deadline. Required application materials include a completed narrative, project budget with justification, artistic résumés, marketing samples, and evidence of community benefit. All submissions are evaluated by ECRAC's volunteer panel based on artistic quality, project planning, and anticipated community impact. Grant decisions are usually made within two to three months of submission. Selected grantees are required to complete a contract, submit a final report, and follow guidelines concerning ADA compliance, public benefit, and documentation of expenditures. Support resources, including application walkthroughs, FAQs, and guidelines, are available at www.ecrac.org. For technical assistance, applicants are encouraged to contact ECRAC staff at grantinfo@ecrac.org or 320-336-0200 before applying.

Strong proposals show clear public benefit, artistic quality, alignment with community needs, and thoughtful planning.