SEMAC’s Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) is designed for rapid, short-term assistance for individual artists and culture bearers facing unexpected hardship (loss of income, unexpected expenses, crisis situations, etc.) The funds are distributed as one-time gifts to help stabilize recipients and address urgent needs, offering some relief during a difficult time so they can continue their creative work. The application is simple and no reporting is required. This is not a merit-based grant program. Recipients will be chosen through a random selection process. Through this program, SEMAC will make gifts of $500 each to 60 creatives living in the 11-county region, 20 per selection round. Submission deadlines: May 19, July 7, September 15, 2026.
The East Central Regional Arts Council offers Emergency Relief Funding (EFR) to artists and culture bearers who are facing unexpected expenses or loss of income due to personal/professional emergencies or natural disasters. Possible emergencies include illness or injury, loss of housing, healthcare, legal, transportation or property loss emergency, or an emergency resulting from loss of employment, contract cancellation, loss of other income, food benefits, or other disruptive events that impact an artist’s wellbeing or ability to work. Artists at any professional level are welcome to apply. Projects may be in any art form or discipline. Rolling deadline until all funds are expended.
The Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) provides short-term relief to artists facing housing, healthcare, income, transportation, legal, or property loss emergencies that impact their wellbeing or ability to work. This program offers one-time awards of $500. In general, payments for emergency assistance are considered gifts and are not taxable income. Application deadlines: May 1, August 1, November 1, 2026, February 1, 2027 (as funds allow).
Lake Region Arts Council will be offering Emergency Relief Funding to artists and creatives, ages 18 years and older, who live in Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, or Wilkin county. Eligible applicants will be selected through a randomized selection process to receive a one-time award of $500. Lake Region Arts Council provides grants to individual artists who have had a critical need relating to: property damage due to natural disaster, healthcare, housing, equipment, or legal emergencies since June 1, 2025. Application deadlines: April 2 and April 16, 2026.
The Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) provides short-term relief to individual artists facing housing, healthcare, income, transportation, legal, or property loss emergencies that impact their wellbeing or ability to work. This program offers one-time awards of $500. In general, payments for emergency assistance are considered gifts and are not taxable income. Individuals must be currently active in a creative practice and live in Region 1: Minnesota counties of Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, or Roseau. Application deadlines June 15, August 15, and December 1, 2026 (as funds allow).
The Emergency Relief Fund for Individuals grant is a $500 grant intended to provide short-term, quick relief to artists and creative people in the 9-county region of Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, or Watonwan who are facing lost income or unexpected expenses due to a personal or community-wide emergency. Applications are open through November 15, 2025, and again January 15 through April 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.
