- Connect Minnesotans with arts and cultural experiences; and/or
- Integrate artists and/or artistic engagement to accomplish a community’s non-arts goals; and/or
- Provide Minnesotans with opportunities for arts learning; and/or
- Pass along expressive cultural traditions.
Creative Connections: The Basics
Have an idea for an arts project or program that fits the description above? First review a few basics with these frequently asked questions.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must have a primary residential address in one of the seven metro counties (Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, or Washington) and also be a United States citizen or have attained permanent resident status in the United States.
Eligible applicants must reside in the seven-county metro region for at least six (6) months prior to the application deadline and continue to do so for the entirety of their proposed grant period.
Who should benefit from this proposal?
The primary beneficiaries of proposed activities must be community members, rather than the applicant. At least three (3) Minnesotans other than the applicant must participate in the proposal as beneficiaries (for example, if you are designing an art-making activity for children, at least three kids must be involved).
When can my proposal happen?
The eligible funding period for Creative Connections 2026 is March 2, 2026–May 31, 2027 (approximately 15 months). All grant-funded activities must take place between these dates.
Important Dates for Your Creative Connections Application
| Application Opens in Submittable | Application Assistance Ends | Application Deadline |
| October 1, 2025, 12:01 am | November 7, 2025, 5 pm | November 10, 2025, 12 noon |
Grant Program Overview and Full Eligibility Requirements
To find out about Creative Connections, read through the Grant Program Overview and Application Instructions (previously known as our “Guidelines”), available below. In it, you’ll learn:
- Information about when and where your proposal can happen.
- What types of funding are allowed, including eligible and ineligible expenses.
- Details about how applications are reviewed and scored by our review panelists.
- What to do if you’ve received an MRAC grant in previous years.
- A list of the narrative questions you’ll be asked when you describe your proposal.
- Instructions on providing your proposal budget.
- How to use Submittable to complete your application.
View and Download the Grant Overview
To submit an application, you’ll need to be very familiar with the requirements for Creative Connections. View and download the version that works best for you!
Branded PDF
Great for viewing on your phone or computer, or for printing a hard copy. This PDF opens in a new window.
Creative Connections Program Overview (PDF version)
Interactive Word Document
Created for screen readers and other assistive technologies, and is also a good choice if you like a standard, clickable table of contents. This Word file downloads directly to your computer.
Creative Connections Program Overview (Word version)
Apply on Submittable
Creative Connections is now closed for 2026. If you have questions about a previous or pending application, please contact creativeconnections@mrac.org.
Application Assistance
We provide the following resources to help you complete your Application.
Pre-recorded Informational Webinar
Hosted by grant program staff, this webinar reviews the information in our Grant Program Overview and Application Instructions, available above. Staff go through each section step by step, including what happens after you submit your application. Helpful to use if you take in information better by listening or by seeing it laid out on slides!
Additional Resources
You can download and use the following resources to help you prepare and plan your application.
Application Scoring Guide for Review Panelists
Review panelists use these criteria when they are scoring Creative Connections applications. This PDF opens in a new window.
Application Questions and Explanations
This PDF opens in a new window.
Narrative Drafting Document
This Word document downloads directly to your computer.
Budget Plan Drafting Sheet
This Excel file downloads directly to your computer.