Anishinaabe arts grants open to Indigenous artists across nine counties

The Region 2 Arts Council opened applications Jan. 15 for the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Grants, a funding opportunity aimed at supporting Indigenous artists, culture bearers and creators who live in northern Minnesota. The program is available to enrolled tribal members and descendants residing in Becker, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Hubbard, Itasca, Lake of the Woods, Mahnomen and Roseau counties, and applications must be submitted by March 1.

Awards of up to $2,000 will cover costs tied to exhibition, performance or production of creative work, purchases of materials or equipment, learning opportunities in the arts, and project proposals that enhance an individual’s creative practice. The earliest start date for projects funded through this round is April 15. Interested applicants can apply online at r2arts.org or request a paper application by emailing staff@r2arts.org.

For Beltrami County, which includes Bemidji and surrounding communities, the grants represent more than dollars for art supplies or performance fees. Small grants targeted to Anishinaabe artists and culture bearers support the transmission of language, ceremony and traditional crafts that are integral to community wellbeing. Cultural work contributes to social cohesion and mental health by strengthening intergenerational ties and providing spaces for expression and healing. Funding that explicitly prioritizes enrolled tribal members and descendants helps address longstanding disparities in arts funding that affect Indigenous communities.

The Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Grants are made possible by the Anishinaabe Arts Initiative Council through support from the Region 2 Arts Council and funding from the McKnight Foundation. By designating resources for Indigenous-led creative work, the initiative aims to center local priorities and increase access to opportunities that have historically been limited for Native artists.

Local artists and cultural practitioners who rely on seasonal markets, powwow circuits, gallery shows or community gatherings may find these grants useful for covering upfront costs that otherwise block participation. Grant funding can pay for materials, training, production expenses or venue fees—small investments that can enable artists to accept commissions, teach workshops, or present work beyond the community.

Applications are limited to residents within the nine-county Region 2 area and will be adjudicated according to the initiative’s guidelines. Beltrami County artists and culture bearers should note the March 1 deadline and the April 15 earliest project start date when planning proposals. For many local creators, this funding round is an immediate opportunity to sustain cultural practice, expand audiences and strengthen the cultural infrastructure that supports community health and resilience.