Resources for Artists and Creatives

Find grant opportunities, calls for art, educational opportunities, and more.

Looking for an artist meetup and other resources? Head over to our ArtLuck page to learn more about this program for artists and creatives.

Funding

Local Grants & Funding

Hutchinson Area Community Foundation

-Support for individuals, organizations, and businesses that want to improve the community with a special project.

Southwest Initiative Foundation

-Community Impact grants for individuals and organizations as well as resources for starting businesses, community projects, etc.

I.J. Burich Family Foundation

-Support for community projects.

Regional Grants & Funding

Southwest Minnesota Arts Council (SMAC)

-Distribute state and other funding to individual artists and local activities in specific regions.

-Serves Big Stone, Chippewa, Cottonwood, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lac qui Parle, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine counties.

State Grants & Funding

Minnesota State Art Board

-Funding and resources for individuals and organizations working in a variety of mediums.

Private Funding

Jerome Fellowship

-Two year fellowships of $20,000/yr for early career artists practicing dance, film/new media, literature, music, theater, and visual arts.

McKnight Foundation

-Funding for artists and culture bearers who work in the book arts, ceramics, choreography, composing, community engagement, dance, fiber, media, music, theater, printmaking, literature, and more.

Forecast Public Art

-Support for artists through funding and training in grants, technical assistance, and resources for all skill levels.

Minnesota Quilters

-Educational resources and project grants to further the preservation of quilting, education, and documentation of quilting in MN.

Education & Opportunities

Department of Public Transformation

-Resources for rural artists.

Forecast Public Art

-Training in grants, technical assistance, and resources for all skill levels.

MN Artists - Walker Art Center

-Calls for art, grant opportunities, and job postings.

Springboard For the Arts

-Consultations to help you succeed and plan your next steps as an artist and entrepreneur.

-Workshops for career planning, grant writing, legal and business affairs.

-Calls for art, jobs postings, other resources.

Artist Statements

What is an artist statement?

Is it essentially a series of sentences that describes what you make and why you make it. Think of it like a stand in for you. If someone was to see your work, how would your statement help them understand it better or add to their viewing experience? Aim for 100-300 words.

How do I write one?

Step 1: Brainstorm

  • Gather all your work together.

  • Write out a list of adjectives that describes the work.

  • Record yourself describing your work to a friend or family member.

  • Think about what you want the audience to take away from your work. Your statement is a place to gently nudge them in your intended direction.

Step 2: Put it all together

Think about the what, why, and how.

  • What: Include what medium or material you work in.

  • Why: Why do you make this work? Why do you use the materials you do? What excites you about the work? What do you hope to offer audiences with the work? What are your influences or inspirations?

  • How: If your process is important, describe it.