early-career artist project grant

Grant-Funded Period: January 1 – November 30, 2026

Grant Overview

Early-Career Artist Project Grants support the creation of a temporary or permanent public artwork anywhere in the state of Minnesota by an early-career, Minnesota-based artist.

Projects may be additionally supported by public or nonprofit agencies, or through in-kind sources, however, private commissions are not eligible.

The project site must be secured/uploaded by the application deadline (written documentation of site approval is required for this grant).

• What is Public Art? Broadly speaking, public art is artwork in the public realm, regardless of whether it is situated on public or private property, or whether it is supported through public or private funding. It can range from temporary to permanent work, murals to sculptures, interventions, performances, storytelling, iron pours, sound and light projects, dance and spoken word. It is free and accessible to all members of a community.
• What is an Early-Career Artist? Early career grants are is supported by Jerome Foundation, and here is how the Jerome Foundation defines “Early career”:
• are in the early stages of their creative development with 2-10 years of generative experience, and:
• have a focused direction and goals, even while still developing their artistic “voice”
• have yet to be substantially celebrated within their field, the media, funding circles or the public at large
• are vocational (as opposed to avocational, academic, amateur or educational) artists
• Artists who have been in the field for longer than 10 years (excluding any time in a degree-granting program; as a dancer in work created by others; remounting the work of other choreographers; or time away from working as an artist due to circumstances–e.g., having children, caring for family members, long-term illness, etc.) are generally not eligible, even if they feel under-recognized.
• Age is not a determining factor. Career stage is assessed by the cumulative number of years an artist has been generating their own work. Mid-career or established artists shifting from one artistic discipline to another will not be considered early career. For example, a composer with a substantial career in music who is now moving into film will not be considered early career.
• The Foundation has defined the 2–10 year span recognizing that some artists may experience enormous success and move past early career status well before their 5th year or 10th year. We know that the number of opportunities afforded to artists may differ significantly based on discipline, race/ethnicity, class, gender, physical ability, and geography among other factors. Consequently, some artists may be past their 10th year and still be on the spectrum of early career status due to taking time out of active artistic practice for school or other circumstances. Our use of early career is an attempt to be clearer about the kinds of artists we are supporting. We realize the lack of a rigid definition leaves room for interpretation, but we have embraced this flexibility out of our value around diversity and in recognition of the many variables that impact artists’ careers.