The Region 2 Arts Council (R2AC) aims to enhance the presence and purpose of the arts by supporting arts creation, promotion, and education in North Central Minnesota, covering Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen counties. As part of a statewide system of regional arts councils, R2AC works in partnership with the Minnesota State Arts Board to ensure access to the arts for all residents in Minnesota by assessing arts needs and funding arts programs regionally.
The grant program provides operating support to aid organizations in expanding and/or introducing new arts programming accessible to the public. It offers two-year awards between $2,000 and $7,000 yearly, to be disbursed in two installments. Funding can be used for various operational needs including administrative expenses, capital improvement projects enhancing arts access and education, training for staff and board to improve accessibility and equity, development of diversity and inclusion initiatives, marketing and publicity to support new or revised efforts, purchases of significant equipment, and strategic planning or capacity building efforts aimed at arts organizations' growth. Funding levels are determined based on an organization's average annual expenses, with specific tiers for different expense ranges. However, organizations with annual expenses of $174,000 and over are directed to seek support from the Minnesota State Arts Board (MSAB) instead.