The Northwest Minnesota Arts Council's mission is to develop the arts in Northwestern Minnesota's Region 1 by working with local and area arts organizations and individuals. It aims to foster artistic experiences of high quality by supporting the creation, production, and sponsorship of art activities across various disciplines.
The grant program by the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council focuses on funding art projects that develop or enhance local or regional artists, resources, or audiences within the specified seven counties. Projects eligible for funding should aim to be completed within 24 months of receiving the grant. There is also a specific category for schools to request funds for purchasing arts equipment, which usually requires a 25% cash match. School districts can apply for this grant once per fiscal year to buy equipment for visual, performing, media arts, or creative writing departments. The maximum funding request cannot exceed 90% of the total project cost, encouraging contributions from other sources such as other grants, cash donations, and earned income.