The Region 2 Arts Council's Artists Engage Community Grant supports individual artists and culture bearers living in five northern Minnesota counties: Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen. This grant program is designed to fund artist-led projects that integrate the arts into public life, enhance access to arts experiences, and create meaningful community engagement through artistic expression.

Eligible applicants must be at least 21 years old and reside and work in one of the five designated counties. The grant supports a variety of arts disciplines and projects, including participatory arts activities, public art installations, performances, workshops, festivals, exhibitions, and community arts education. Funded projects must be accessible to the public and involve community interaction. All project activities must begin within 12 months of the earliest start date (May 28, 2025) and be completed by June 30, 2026.

The maximum grant award is $6,000. Applications open on March 15, 2025, and are due by April 15, 2025. Projects will be reviewed online on May 6, and funding decisions will follow. Applications must be submitted online via the Region 2 Arts Council's grant portal. Submissions must include a project description, detailed budget, resume, and work samples. Applicants will also be asked to describe how the project will engage the community, the project's anticipated outcomes, and how success will be measured. Early expenses made before May 28, 2025, will render a project ineligible for funding.

Applicants may choose to use a fiscal sponsor to manage the funds if they prefer not to receive the grant as personal income. If no sponsor is used, recipients will be required to file a W-9 and will be personally responsible for any tax implications. Fiscal sponsorship transfers this responsibility to a nonprofit entity, which can manage the funds and disburse them on the artist’s behalf.

The grant program is made possible by a legislative appropriation from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, reflecting support from Minnesota voters. Applicants may consult resources such as budget guidelines, evaluation planning tools, and sample application forms to prepare their submissions. Questions can be directed to the Region 2 Arts Council at info@r2arts.org or by visiting their office in Bemidji during listed office hours.