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 13: October 12–November 13, 2026
- Round 14: November 16–December 11, 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 an individual. Proposals must focus on creating access to the arts for Minnesotans and/or Minnesota communities.
Qualifying proposals will connect Minnesotans with arts and cultural experiences; and/or integrate artists and/or artistic engagement to accomplish a community’s non-arts goals; and/or provide Minnesotans with opportunities for arts learning; and/or pass along expressive cultural traditions.
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 applicants from Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Scott, and Washington counties.
Individuals may submit only one application.
Contact
Email: creativeconnections@mrac.org
Program Director: Zola Dee
Important Dates:
- Application deadline: November 20, 2026 at 11:59 pm.
- Programs team review applications for eligibility: November to December 2026
- Applications enter review period: January to February 2027
- MRAC Board of Directors review funding recommendations: March 23, 2027
- Staff send out grant notifications via email to applicants: March 29, 2027