SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA ARTS AND HUMANITIES COUNCIL

SMAHC has been promoting the arts in SW Minnesota for 37 years! During that time, we have helped fund arts and humanities projects throughout our 18 county area. We are indebted to our grantors and supporters for their support over the years.

Funding for SMAHC programs and services is provided by memberships and donations from individuals, businesses, organizations, schools, cities and counties, the McKnight Foundation, and from an allocation from the Minnesota State Legislature and the Minnesota arts and cultural heritage fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4, 2008.

It is with such widespread support that in fiscal year 2011, we were able to make $441,718 in matching grants to 111 area organizations and artists under 11 separate programs! Scroll up and click on the image of the chart above to see the awards for each program.

In addition to providing grants to organizations, artists, and schools, SMAHC provides technical assistance with board development, personnel, grant writing, marketing, fundraising and financial management. This free assistance is available on request.

SMAHC gives free grant writing workshops through the year for those who want to learn more about writing a viable grant proposal.

The SMAHC Art Gallery provides an opportunity for regional artists to have a solo exhibit in an accessible space. Receptions are held honoring the artist. Our priority is to exhibit work of recipients of SMAHC Individual Artist Development Grants. Exhibits in Fiscal Year 2011 included Victoria Hanna of Canby, Kristi Link Fernholz of Appleton, Deb Connolly of Danvers and Erik Gran of Silver Lake.

SMAHC publishes a monthly newsletter, VOICES, which also includes calendar of events, opportunities and news items.

SMAHC also has a very active website which contains all the grant guidelines and forms, news about the arts in SW Minnesota, a calendar of arts events in the 18 county region, and more. Please take time to visit our website (www.smahc.org) and then become actively involved in supporting SMAHC by becoming a member. Just click on the "Join SMAHC" button on the right. And, of course, you can always support SMAHC with a donation through GiveMN.org. Your support will be so appreciated!

Thanks for reading our story!