Heartland, Heartwork: Creative Action Accelerator
Springboard for the Arts
Springboard for the Arts invites applications from Minnesota communities with populations of 5,000 or fewer to participate in the Creative Action Accelerator, a new community arts initiative supported in part by the Blandin Foundation.
Applications open December 2, 2026.
The Creative Action Accelerator helps communities move from conversation to action by centering art, culture, and creativity. Through funding, technical assistance, and collaborative planning, the program supports community leaders to collaborate with local artists and culture bearers to foster community conversation and dialogue, test creative solutions to local challenges, and bring shared visions for the future to life.
Projects will strengthen relationships, spark imagination, and build local capacity through artist-led community engagement and creative action.
Two communities will be selected to participate in an 18-month program running from March 2027 through September 2028.
Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits (of any sector), and local coalitions representing communities with populations of 5,000 or fewer. Full eligibility requirements and application guidelines will be available when applications open on December 2, 2026.
Community Benefits
Each selected community will receive:
- $7,500 to support local project coordination and capacity building, including staff or contractor time, fees, communications, supplies, and printing.
- $15,000 to fund 8–10 artist-led community projects.
- $10,000 to support a larger community signature project that advances a shared vision after the smaller projects are completed.
- Ongoing technical assistance with planning, artist support, project management, communications, and evaluation.
Creative Action Accelerator Timeline
- December 2, 2026: Applications open
- February 1, 2027: Applications due
- February 12, 2027: Applicants notified
- March 2027: Community orientation and planning
- April 2027: Artist-led project proposals open
- June–November 2027: Artist-led projects take place
- December 2027–February 2028: Evaluation and signature project development
- March–September 2028: Signature project completed
More Resources
Heartland, Heartwork
A statewide initiative that supports cultural organizers in rural Minnesota through leadership development, peer connection, and community-led creative action.
Learn more
Field Guide
A comprehensive field guide designed to empower rural leaders in planning and executing effective place-based projects centered in arts, culture and creativity.
Get the Field Guide
