Metropolitan Regional Arts Council improves arts access for Twin Cities metro communities through grants, resources, and advocacy for artists and organizations.
Emergency Relief Fund
The Emergency Relief Fund provides $500 for short-term, rapid relief to artists facing unexpected lost income or expenses due to personal/professional emergencies or natural disasters.
Grant awards will be randomly selected for funding within seven (7) days of each round deadline. A portion of funds for this grant will be set aside for artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a person of color (BIPOC); and/or a person with a disability; and/or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+); and individuals from Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, and Washington counties regardless of identity.
Contacts
Email: emergencyrelief@mrac.org
Program Director: Ryan Werdon
Emergency Relief Fund important dates:
- Round 1: October 13–November 14, 2025
- Round 2: November 17–December 12, 2025
- Round 3: December 15, 2025–January 9, 2026
- Round 4: January 12–February 13, 2026
- Round 5: February 16–March 13, 2026
- Round 6: March 16–April 10, 2026
- Round 7: April 13–May 8, 2026
- Round 8: May 11–June 12, 2026
Program Overview
Visit the Emergency Relief Fund website to view and download program overview. We encourage you to connect with MRAC staff for help navigating the process.
Creative Connections
The Creative Connections grant provides up to $5,000 for artistic proposals in Minnesota led by individual artists. Proposals must focus on creating access to the arts for Minnesotans and/or engaging with Minnesota communities through artistic endeavors.
All eligible individuals may request up to $5,000. Additionally, a portion of funds for this grant will be set aside for individuals who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or a person of color (BIPOC); and/or a person with a disability; and/or lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer (LGBTQ+); and all individuals from Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, and Washington counties regardless of identity.
Individuals may submit only one application.
Contacts
Email: creativeconnections@mrac.org
Program Director: Pablo Siqueiros
Important Dates
- Application deadline: November 10, 2025, at 12 noon CST. Please note the deadline time.
- Application services end November 7, 2025 at 5 pm.
- Panel Review: December 2025 to January 2026
- MRAC Board of Directors review funding recommendations: February 24, 2026
- Staff send out grant notifications via email to applicants: March 2, 2026