SEMAC Announces Recent Organizational Grant Awards

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

On November 19, 2024, the SEMAC Board of Directors awarded $378,430 in arts programming grants to nonprofit organizations and schools throughout Southeastern Minnesota. This includes one School Residency grant, 34 Legacy grants, eleven Programming Grants for Arts Organizations, and nine Small Towns/Rural Areas grants.

SEMAC, a non-profit arts agency, is designated by the State of Minnesota Arts Board as the regional arts council for eleven southeastern Minnesota counties: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona

Grants for were awarded to the following area organizations:

Fillmore County

• Chatfield Brass Band received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Chatfield Summer Concert Series.
• City of Whalan received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Music in the Bluffs.
• Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center received a $5,000 Legacy grant for Stringwood Chamber Music on the Hill.
• Peterson Committee for the Arts received a $10,000 Legacy grant for The Arts Blossom in Peterson.
• Root River Current received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Art & Artists II: Storytelling in SE MN.
• Wits’ End Theatre received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Shrek the Musical.

Houston County

• International Owl Center received a $5,000 Legacy grant for 2025 Children’s International Owl Art Contest.
• Lanesboro Barn Dance received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for Lanesboro Barn Dance Series 2025.
• Southeastern Minnesota Bluegrass Association received a $5,000 Small Towns/Rural Areas grant for May 2025 Bluegrass Music Festival.

SEMAC congratulates the winners and looks forward to celebrating the creative programs these grants will bring to southeastern Minnesota.

For more information about SEMAC’s grant programs, visit semac.org or contact the office at 507-281-4848.