SEMAC exists to encourage, promote, and assist regional arts development by providing leadership, outreach, advocacy, mentorship, grants, and services.
Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc. repeatedly backs the operating life of regional arts groups, pairing general operating support with programming grants across theaters, festivals, choruses, museums, and community arts organizations. Recent awards include $25,000 to Frozen River Film Festival in Winona for general operating support and programming, and $25,000 to Med City Arts Festival in Rochester for the same broad mix of support. The foundation also appears in multi-year relationships with organizations such as Rochester Male Chorus, Rochester Repertory Theatre Company, Sing Out Loud, and Midwest Music Fest, each receiving support in more than one grant year. That pattern points to a funder that works through recurring local arts infrastructure rather than isolated project-only awards. Beyond established organizations, its grant categories also extend to individual artists, small-town arts activity, and arts and cultural heritage projects across the SEMAC region. The grant list shows awards tied to creation, performance, publication, exhibition, and arts education, with support reaching both presenting organizations and community-based arts groups. SEMAC’s role is not limited to one art form; the recent record includes film, music, theater, visual arts, and cultural heritage programming.
A major thread in the portfolio is organizational sustainability. Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council Inc. gave $20,000 to Rochester Repertory Theatre Company for general operating support and programming, and $20,000 to Mantorville Theatre Company for the same mix of support. Another thread is arts presentation and performance: the foundation awarded $20,000 to Gallery 24 Artists Collaborative for programming, and $20,000 to Theatre Du Mississippi for general operating support and programming. Cultural heritage also appears through grants such as $20,000 to the City of Austin Culture & Arts Commission for programming. The catalog of active grant programs shows additional support for arts management training, small-town and rural arts activity, opportunity grants, and grants to individual artists, indicating a broad set of tools for organizations, presenters, and artists serving southeastern Minnesota.
$758K
$517K
$1.5M
$1.5M
Most grants fall between $10K and $15K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$15K
KJELLGREN ALKIRE
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Typical grant size clusters at $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $10,000 at the median, and $15,000 at the 75th percentile. The recent grants list also shows repeated awards to the same organizations over multiple years, including Rochester Male Chorus, Rochester Repertory Theatre Company, Sing Out Loud, Midwest Music Fest, and Mantorville Art Guild. That points to recurring support rather than one-time-only relationships. SEMAC is an operating arts council, not a donor advised fund or private family foundation, and it also does not fund individuals directly outside its arts grant programs. Several active programs accept unsolicited applications, including general operating support, grants to individual artists, organizational grants, and legacy grants.
Grantmaking is entirely local and entirely in Minnesota: 100% of grants in the recipient country distribution go to U.S. grantees, and 100% of grants go to recipients in Minnesota. Rochester appears frequently, with awards to Med City Arts Festival, Rochester Male Chorus, Sing Out Loud, Rochester Repertory Theatre Company, and Rochester Civic Theatre Company. Winona is another regular recipient city, alongside Rushford, Austin, Caledonia, Mantorville, Northfield, and Houston. The county-based legacy program also reaches communities across the SEMAC region, including listings tied to Winona County, Rice County, and Dodge County.
Its programs cover general operating support, programming and production, arts management training, opportunity grants, grants to individual artists, and arts and cultural heritage projects. Recent awards show support for theaters, film festivals, choruses, symphonies, and arts commissions.
Yes. The recent grant list includes repeated awards to Rochester Male Chorus, Rochester Repertory Theatre Company, Sing Out Loud, Midwest Music Fest, and Mantorville Art Guild across different grant years, which shows ongoing relationships with some recipients.
The distribution centers on $10,000 awards: the 25th percentile is $10,000, the median is $10,000, and the 75th percentile is $15,000. Recent grants also include larger awards such as $20,000 and $25,000 for operating and programming support.
Yes. Several active grant programs accept unsolicited applications, including General Operating Support, Organizational Grants, Grants to Individual Artists, Arts & Cultural Heritage (Legacy) Grants, Programming Grants, and Opportunity Grants.
It gives locally in Southeastern Minnesota, and the recipient data shows 100% of grants going to Minnesota organizations and arts groups. Recent recipients include organizations in Rochester, Winona, Austin, Rushford, Caledonia, Mantorville, Northfield, and Houston.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Regional nonprofit arts groups; funds are not always available and no match is required.
Deadline: Submission deadline is thirty days prior to the training start date.
Who can apply: Nonprofit arts organizations and schools or educational institutions; building and facility improvements are not eligible.
Deadline: Applications are due fifteen days prior to the intended start date.
Who can apply: Arts organizations, local government or tribal entities, nonprofit organizations, and non-religious K-12 schools, either individually or in cooperation; communities must have populations under 7,500.
Deadline: Two deadlines offered per fiscal year - September 30 and March 30.
Who can apply: Equity organizations in the SEMAC Region; all applicants must be located in the SEMAC Region and meet SEMAC eligibility requirements.
Deadline: Two deadlines offered per fiscal year - September 30 and March 30.
Who can apply: Arts organizations receiving Operating Support from Minnesota State Arts Board are eligible for one grant per year up to $11,000. Other nonprofit arts organizations may receive two grants per year including Rural Arts Grants, up to $16,000 total. Non-arts organizations may receive one grant per year up to $6,000. Applicant must be in the 11-county SEMAC Region and include an accessible public event.
Deadline: September 30 and March 30
Who can apply: Nonprofit arts organizations with 501(c)(3) status. Recipients may reapply every three years.
Deadline: November 18
Who can apply: Lead applicant may be an individual artist or culture bearer living in the SEMAC Region, or a nonprofit organization in the rural community where the project will take place. Project must include collaboration with a local community partner, active community engagement, and an accessible public event. Offered every two years.
Deadline: March 30 (offered every two years)
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTHEAST MN BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION | RUSHFORD, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| FROZEN RIVER FILM FESTIVAL | WINONA, MN | $25,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT GRANT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| MANTORVILLE THEATRE COMPANY | MANTORVILLE, MN | $24,890 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT GRANT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY | ROCHESTER, MN | $23,565 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| GALLERY 24 ARTISTS COLLABORATIVE | ROCHESTER, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| SING OUT LOUD | ROCHESTER, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| THEATRE DU MISSISSIPPI | WINONA, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| MAINSPRING | CALEDONIA, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| WIDESPOT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | WABASHA, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| MIDWEST MUSIC FEST | WINONA, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| MED CITY ARTS FESTIVAL | ROCHESTER, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| AUSTIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | AUSTIN, MN | $20,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| BRIDGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL | NORTHFIELD, MN | $17,275 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY | ROCHESTER, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER MALE CHORUS | ROCHESTER, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| FREEBORN COUNTY ARTS INITIATIVE | ALBERT LEA, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| CITY OF PETERSON COMMITTEE FOR THE ARTS | PETERSON, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER COMMUNITY BAND | ROCHESTER, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER POPS ORCHESTRA | ROCHESTER, MN | $15,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| WINONA ARTS CENTER | WINONA, MN | $13,500 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER ARTS CENTER | ROCHESTER, MN | $10,400 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| MINNESOTA MARINE ART MUSEUM | WINONA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| AUSTIN AREA COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS | AUSTIN, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| BIG TURN MUSIC FEST | RED WING, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| SHELDON THEATRE OF PERFORMING ARTS | RED WING, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| PARADISE CENTER FOR THE ARTS | FARIBAULT, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| BELLS OF THE BLUFFS HANDBELL ENSEMBLE | RED WING, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| YE OLDE OPERA HOUSE | SPRING GROVE, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ZUMBROTA COMMUNITY BAND | ZUMBROTA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| RED WING ART ASSOCIATION | RED WING, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| I CANTANTI CHAMBER CHOIRS | DUNDAS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| MANTORVILLE ART GUILD | MANTORVILLE, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| GREAT RIVER SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL | WINONA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA YOUTH ORCHESTRAS | ROCHESTER, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| VINTAGE BAND FESTIVAL | NORTHFIELD, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER CIVIC THEATRE COMPANY | ROCHESTER, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ART OF THE RURAL | WINONA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| LANESBORO ARTS CENTER | LANESBORO, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ANDERSON CENTER AT TOWER VIEW | RED WING, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ZUMBRO VALLEY CHORUS | ADAMS, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| NORTHFIELD ARTS GUILD | NORTHFIELD, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE | ROCHESTER, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| ROCHESTER AREA HANDBELLS | ROCHESTER, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| DREAMERY RURAL ARTS INITIATIVE | WYKOFF, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| OWATONNA ARTS CENTER | OWATONNA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| CITY OF AUSTIN CULTURE & ARTS COMMISSION | AUSTIN, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| WINONA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA | WINONA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| SUMMERSET COMMUNITY THEATRE | AUSTIN, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT |
| AMERIIKAN POIJAT FINNISH BRASS BAND | NORTHFIELD, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
| ALBERT LEA COMMUNITY BAND | ALBERT LEA, MN | $10,000 | 2026 | ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT |
SOUTHEAST MN BLUEGRASS ASSOCIATION
$25,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
FROZEN RIVER FILM FESTIVAL
$25,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT GRANT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
MANTORVILLE THEATRE COMPANY
$24,890ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT GRANT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY
$23,565ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
GALLERY 24 ARTISTS COLLABORATIVE
$20,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
SING OUT LOUD
$20,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
THEATRE DU MISSISSIPPI
$20,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
MAINSPRING
$20,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
WIDESPOT PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
$20,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
MIDWEST MUSIC FEST
$20,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
MED CITY ARTS FESTIVAL
$20,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
AUSTIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$20,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
BRIDGE CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL
$17,275ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER CHAMBER MUSIC SOCIETY
$15,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER MALE CHORUS
$15,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
FREEBORN COUNTY ARTS INITIATIVE
$15,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
CITY OF PETERSON COMMITTEE FOR THE ARTS
$15,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER COMMUNITY BAND
$15,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER POPS ORCHESTRA
$15,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
WINONA ARTS CENTER
$13,500ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER ARTS CENTER
$10,400ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT AND PROGRAMMING GRANT
MINNESOTA MARINE ART MUSEUM
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
AUSTIN AREA COMMISSION FOR THE ARTS
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
BIG TURN MUSIC FEST
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
SHELDON THEATRE OF PERFORMING ARTS
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
PARADISE CENTER FOR THE ARTS
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
BELLS OF THE BLUFFS HANDBELL ENSEMBLE
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
YE OLDE OPERA HOUSE
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ZUMBROTA COMMUNITY BAND
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
RED WING ART ASSOCIATION
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
I CANTANTI CHAMBER CHOIRS
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
MANTORVILLE ART GUILD
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
GREAT RIVER SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
SOUTHEASTERN MINNESOTA YOUTH ORCHESTRAS
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
VINTAGE BAND FESTIVAL
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER CIVIC THEATRE COMPANY
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
LANESBORO ARTS CENTER
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
ZUMBRO VALLEY CHORUS
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
NORTHFIELD ARTS GUILD
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER NEW MUSIC ENSEMBLE
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
ROCHESTER AREA HANDBELLS
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
DREAMERY RURAL ARTS INITIATIVE
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
OWATONNA ARTS CENTER
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
CITY OF AUSTIN CULTURE & ARTS COMMISSION
$10,000ACHF: PROGRAMMING GRANT
WINONA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
AMERIIKAN POIJAT FINNISH BRASS BAND
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT
ALBERT LEA COMMUNITY BAND
$10,000ACHF: GENERAL OPERATING SUPPORT