That depends!

If you’re an individual, check out our Grants for Individuals.

If you’re an organization, check out our Grants for Organizations.

We offer different types of grants that cover different guidelines, our current programs are: Flexible Support Grant, K-12 School Arts Project Grant, Creativity in Our Region Grant (for individuals), Creative Impact for Individuals, and Youth Scholarship.

Each of these grants are tailored to different types of arts-related projects and applicants, from individuals and artists to community organizations and schools, to youth growing in the arts!

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.

No. We have different deadlines for each grant. Here’s a breakdown of our due dates.

• Flexible Support Grant - Tiers 2 & 3 – Deadlines are August 1st and February 1st.

• Flexible Support Grant - Tier 1 – Deadlines are the 1st of July, August, September, October, February, and March.

• Creativity in Our Region Grant – 15th of each month, July-March, or until funds are exhausted.

• Creative Impact for Individuals Grant – April 1st.

• K-12 School Arts Project Grant – 1st of each month, July-March, or until funds are exhausted.

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

We encourage organizations and individuals to apply for funding 60 days before incurring expenses. However, expenses may be incurred once the applicant is notified that their grant has been approved.

Generally, we are able to cut checks 45 days after a grant deadline, though this is not guaranteed. We cannot fund reimbursements prior to grant approval.

Youth and organizations may be awarded one grant/scholarship per fiscal year.

Individuals may be awarded one grant every other fiscal year.

Note: A grant from the Emergency Relief Fund does not count towards these limits.

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 a grant for individuals.

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.

Schools applying for the K-12 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.

School districts may receive up to three K-12 School Arts Project grants per fiscal year. There is a limit to one per school building, with the exception of small districts that have only one K-12 building.

We offer 3 tiers of funding, based on the organization or group’s operating budget.

1. Tier 1: Apply for up to $5,000, for groups with an operating budget of $0-$74,999 or you are a part of a university, government entity (such as a city), or a public library.

2. Tier 2: Apply for up to $10,000, for groups with an operating budget of $75,000-$199,999.

3. Tier 3: Apply for up to $15,000, for groups with an operating budget of $200,000 or more.

Yes, public art projects such as sculptures, murals, and other forms of public art are eligible for funding through the Flexible Support 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.

A fiscal sponsor is a nonprofit organization that, essentially, lends its nonprofit status to a project.

They providing fiduciary oversight, financial management, and/or other administrative services, in order to help the project gain access to funding opportunities.

The Prairie Lakes Youth Scholarship Program offers scholarships for students in grades 3-12 to take classes in various art forms, including, but not limited to: 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.