SEMAC is launching an Emergency Relief Fund (ERF) designed to provide rapid, short-term assistance for individual artists and culture bearers facing unexpected hardship. 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. Through a random selection process, SEMAC will make one-time gifts of $500 each to 60 creatives living in the 11-county region, 20 per selection round.
SEMAC’s ERF is meant to be as inclusive as possible and is open to visual artists, dance artists, theatre artists, performers, writers, music creators, filmmakers, culture bearers, makers, artisans, storytellers, artistic social conveners, idea purveyors, imaginaries, visionaries, arts educators, crafters, cultural workers, socially engaged artists, or anyone with an intentional creative practice.
The first round of applications opens April 21. All submissions received by May 19 will be included in the pool for selection round one with notification on May 29. The submission deadline for round two is July 7 and the deadline for round three is September 15. Applications that are not selected in a round will be included in the next selection round.
More details about the application and selection process can be found on the ERF page on SEMAC’s website.
A video recording that goes through the application step-by-step and a comprehensive pdf “Applicant Journey” will be available.
Additionally, SEMAC will be holding two virtual Q&A sessions: Friday, May 8, from 2-3 p.m. CT, and Tuesday, May 12, from 6-7 p.m. CT.
SEMAC and Minnesota’s other regional arts councils form the Artists Emergency Relief Fund Network, which is stewarded by Springboard for the Arts and supported in part by the F.R. Bigelow Foundation, the Jerome Foundation, the McKnight Foundation, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, and the Saint Paul & Minnesota Foundation.
SEMAC is one of 11 regional arts councils in the state of Minnesota, serving the following counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona, and including Prairie Island Indian Community.
For more information, visit semac.org or contact the office at 507-281-4848 or staff@semac.org.
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