What's Happening at ECRAC? Grants, Events & More!
Dear friends and colleagues,
As we embrace the joyous holiday season, we reflect on the remarkable achievements within our community, notably the recent 2024 IMAGE Art Show, which showcased the incredible talents of local artists and brought residents together in celebration of creativity. This event not only highlighted the vibrant artistic spirit of East Central Minnesota but also fostered connections among community members, enriching our cultural landscape. Thank you to all those who participated in and/or attended this years IMAGE Art Show.
As we look forward to the New Year, we are excited to remind you of the upcoming grant deadlines that present a wonderful opportunity for individual artists and organizations to apply for arts funding. These grants are designed to support your creative endeavors and further enhance our community’s artistic vitality. We encourage you to engage with ECRAC's initiatives and explore how our resources can empower your artistic journey. Together, let’s continue to celebrate and cultivate the arts in our community!
Wishing you good health, happiness, and peace.
from all of us at the East Central Regional Arts Council
Arts Funding is Available Now, the February 1st Applications are Open to Apply!
The East Central Regional Arts Council (ECRAC) is currently welcoming new and former applicants to apply for arts grant funding. ECRAC funds art projects in the Minnesota counties of Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and Pine, known as region 7E. ECRAC provides arts funding to artists, culture bearers, arts organizations, nonprofits, and local units of government, or organizations sponsoring art events, located in region 7E. ECRAC accepts grant applications now through 11:59 pm on February 1, 2025.
The February 1st grant opportunities include five grant programs, two for artists and three for organizations. The applications vary and ECRAC Staff are available to assist you with determining which grant program fits the art project you’d like to apply for.
The grant programs for artists include the ECRAC Mid-Career Artist Grant in amounts up to $3,600 and the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Legacy (ACHF) Individual Artist Grant in amounts up to $2,000. The grant programs for organizations include the Art in Our Schools Grant in amounts up to $5,000, the Small/Art Project Grant in amounts between $500 - $5,000, and the ACHF Legacy Organization Grant in amounts between $5,000 - $20,000. Detailed information about each of the grant opportunities can be found on the ECRAC website: ecrac.org. If you’re not ready to apply now, the April 1st grant deadline will be here soon. Applications will be open mid-February for the April 1st deadline to apply for these same grant programs.
Applicants are also invited to attend a grant information session to learn more about these grant programs and how to apply. Upcoming grant information sessions will be online via Zoom. Artists can register for one of the following grant info sessions: January 7th at 3:00pm, February 6th at 10:00 am, or March 4th at 3:00pm. Organizations can register for one of the following grant info sessions: January 7th at 10:00am, February 6th at 2:00pm, or March 4th at 10:00am. To register visit the ECRAC Event Calendar, https://www.ecrac.org/art-community/events-calendar, or email ECRAC staff at grantinfo@ecrac.org. Grant information sessions for artists and organizations are also recorded and can be found on the ECRAC YouTube channel. You may also reach out to ECRAC staff to set up a time that works for you to discuss these grant opportunities and learn more about ECRAC.
For further details on eligibility and how to apply, please check out the ECRAC website at ecrac.org. If you have questions, please contact the Grant Program Officer at grantinfo@ecrac.org or call 320-336-0200 and leave a voicemail.
The 2024 IMAGE Art Show People's Choice Award Winner goes to Thad Christiansen for his Sea Turtle carved from wood. Congratulations Thad!
You can find more photos and information by visiting the 2024 IMAGE Art Show page.
Remember, there are additional seats available at our table and you belong here!
You will have a direct impact on facilitating arts events, projects, trainings, and festivals. ECRAC does offer a stipend for all meetings plus mileage reimbursement for in person meetings. Your voice & input is needed at the grant and decision making table!
Click here to apply to either become a Board Member or a Grant Reviewer for ECRAC.
ECRAC Office and Gallery construction update: Please be advised that our building is currently under construction including a new roof and windows and access to our building is limited. These are needed updates, and we will keep you posted as we learn more about when this work will be completed. This will not affect the ECRAC grant deadlines. ECRAC staff is available during construction. You may contact them by emailing grantinfo@ecrac.org or director@ecrac.org. If you call, please leave a voicemail. Check the office hours calendar for updates on when the office and gallery space will be open.
As always, we ask for your support, but not monetarily! For us your support is sharing the resources available for the arts community. This is not just an endorsement of our work, but it helps with our commitment to elevating artist’s artwork and voices and examples of how community art projects matter. Please help us by sharing this email and encouraging other arts interested people to learn about ECRAC.
Thank you all for your creativity, your artwork, and for all of your community building!
If you are interested in finding local arts events in the area visit the
ECRAC and Local Arts Event Calendar.
