FY26 Next Step Fund

Next Step Fund

Next Step Fund provides up to $6,000 to individual artists for proposals that would help them sustain the trajectory of their artistic career, overcome a barrier to success, and/or leverage a beneficial career opportunity. Applicants may be at any stage in their career, but must be able to provide work samples of their own original art.

Individuals may only submit one application. If you received a Next Step Fund grant in FY23, FY24, or FY25, you are not eligible to apply. 

This grant is made possible with support from the McKnight Foundation.

Contacts 

Email: nextstepfund@mrac.org

Program Director: Masami Kawazato

Important Dates

• Application deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026, 12 noon CDT
• Panel Review: April to May 2026
• MRAC Board of Directors review funding recommendations: June 2026
• Staff send out grant notifications via email to applicants: June 29, 2026