WASECA — Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council has Small Arts Project grants available for non-profit arts organizations and community groups that are sponsoring arts activities in the nine-county area. The Small Arts Project Grant increased to $4,000 starting on Dec. 1, 2020. To create more flexibility for groups to apply for a grant, Prairie Lakes has increased the size of the grant from $2,000 to $4,000 maximum and there is no cash match required. They are encouraging arts projects for cultural activities and underserved populations that includes: BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color), economically disadvantaged, youth, senior citizens, People with Disabilities and LGBTQ+.

The purpose of the grant is to provide funding for organizations directly engaged in the creation of art, the production of artistic performances or arts services, or the sponsorship of quality arts activities in our local communities. Activities may include virtual events and in-person music performances, theatre events, dance activities, literary readings, visual art classes, etc. They anticipate that organizations will need to plan online virtual events for the next few months due to COVID-19. Also, all organizations must plan for events that include social distancing and wearing masks and they are required to follow the Governor’s Stay Safe Plan and the MN Department of Health’s recommendations.

Deadlines for applying are January 1 and February 1, 2021, and the 1st of the month through May 1, 2021. To learn more, go to our Grants page on our website: http://www.plrac.org/grants.html

Applicants will now be allowed to receive more than one grant per fiscal year and projects must be completed within one year of the awarding of the grant. PLRAC is requesting that arts organizations seeking a second grant describe how their activity will expand and reach new audiences and engage the public in new ways by trying to be more inclusive in their programming. Please contact the PLRAC office staff to discuss your project idea at plrac@hickorytech.net.

Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council has an online grant process. Go to their website www.plrac.org and click on the applicant Login button. Follow the instructions to set up and account and complete the application. If you have questions please contact the PLRAC office in Waseca at 1-800-298-1254 or plrac@hickorytech.net. Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council is committed to supporting and expanding the arts in the nine-county area including Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, LeSueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties.