The Artist Support Grant, offered by the Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) and funded by the McKnight Foundation, is designed to support artists and culture bearers residing in Beltrami, Hubbard, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, or Mahnomen counties in Minnesota. With a maximum award of $2,000, this program replaces the Individual Artist Grant and provides financial assistance for artists at all stages of their careers to enhance their creative development.

Eligible projects include costs associated with the exhibition, performance, or production of creative work, as well as opportunities to further artistic growth. Examples of funded activities include purchasing materials or equipment, attending workshops or non-credit educational opportunities, working with mentors or elders, participating in residencies, attending national conferences, or marketing creative work. Applicants must be 18 years or older and residents of one of the eligible counties.

The application process begins on November 15, 2024, with submissions due by January 15, 2025. Online grant reviews will take place on February 11, 2025, with the earliest project start date being March 5, 2025. Applications are submitted through an online portal where artists will respond to eligibility and demographic questions and address the scoring criteria. Applicants must also include an estimated project budget, work samples, an artist statement, and a resume.

To support applicants, the R2AC provides resources such as instructional videos on creating an account, submitting work samples, and crafting artist statements and resumes. Interested individuals are encouraged to review the Artist Support Grant Application (sample only) to understand the requirements before applying. For further clarification or to discuss eligibility, applicants can contact R2AC directly.