03-03-2025
North Dakota arts council announces grant opportunities
Mar. 2—GRAND FORKS — The North Dakota Council on the Arts is inviting artists, nonprofit organizations and educational institutions to apply early for its fiscal year 2026 grant programs.
With opportunities that range from artist development to community arts initiatives, the North Dakota Council on the Arts grants help sustain and expand the state's vibrant creative sector, according to an announcement from the state council.
Many programs have limited funding, the council said, so early submission of proposals is "highly recommended."
Artists and organizations are urged to apply for more than one program, based on needs and eligibility, with funding contingent on availability.
These grant programs, which have April deadlines, are available for projects taking place after July 1:
* Accessibility Grant, up to $2,000 to support projects that increase arts accessibility for all audiences;
* Artist Growth and Development, $5,000 to support two individual artists' new creative projects in the disciplines of literature and music;
* Arts in Education Collaboration, up to $6,000 to strengthen partnerships between K-12 educational institutions and artists;
* Community Arts Access, up to $4,000 for projects that expand arts programming in all disciplines in urban and rural communities;
* Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship, up to $4,500 for projects that preserve and pass down cultural traditions (applicants should contact program officer Troyd Geist at
tgeist@
for assistance with application submissions); and
* Institutional Support, $4,000 to $11,000 to provide operational funding for established arts organizations.
Applications will open soon for recurring-deadline grants. The applications must be submitted six weeks before the start date; visit each program's webpage for upcoming deadlines.
These grant programs include:
* Artist in Residence, up to $2,500 to support artist-led residencies in K-12 schools and educational settings;
* Professional Development, up to $1,000 to assist artists and arts organizations with arts-related learning opportunities; and
* Special Projects, up to $1,500 for arts initiatives, events and projects in all disciplines.
"We are honored to support the creativity and cultural vibrancy of North Dakota through these funding opportunities," said Jessica Christy, NDCA executive director. "We encourage artists, organizations and educators to apply early and take advantage of these resources."
For general grant information, including questions about the online grant system, visit the NDCA webpage,
or call (701) 328-7590.
For an overview of each program, go to the webpage
for the Grants at a Glance section.
The North Dakota Council on the Arts is the state agency responsible for the support, preservation and development of the arts throughout North Dakota. It is funded by the State Legislature and the National Endowment for the Arts.
