General Questions
Does North Dakota Council on the Arts (NDCA) offer grants?
YES! NDCA provides various grant opportunities to support individuals, organizations, and communities in advancing the arts across North Dakota. Visit our Grants at a Glance webpage < https://www.arts.nd.gov/grants > to learn more!
What kinds of grants are available from NDCA?
NDCA offers grants in areas such as:
- Community arts development
- Arts education projects
- Individual artist support
- Organizational project funding
What are the application deadlines?
Deadlines vary depending on the grant program. Visit our Grants at a Glance webpage < https://www.arts.nd.gov/grants > to learn more about each program.
How do we / I apply for NDCA grants?
Applications are submitted through NDCA’s online grant portal < https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=ndca>. Near the bottom of each program webpage, you will find detailed information in the Program Overview and Application Instructions file.
Do you have grants for individuals?
Yes. NDCA offers grants specifically for individual artists to support their creative work, professional development, and artistic growth.
What types of grants are available to individuals?
Individuals can apply for the Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, the Individual Artist Fellowship, Professional Development, Specials Projects, and more. Visit the Individual Artists grant page < https://www.arts.nd.gov/grants/individual-artists > for detailed information.
How can I tell if I am eligible for a grant?
Eligibility requirements vary by grant, with specific information located on each grant’s program webpage. Generally, applicants must demonstrate artistic merit and alignment with the grant’s purpose.
Is there an age limit for the grants?
Most of our grant programs are open to North Dakota residents who are 18 years or older, but for the Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, with parental consent, apprentices may be younger than 18.
Do you need to be a resident of the state to apply?
- Most NDCA grants require applicants to be North Dakota residents or the organization applying must be located in North Dakota. There are some exceptions including:
- For the Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program, masters may be a North Dakota resident or a resident from another state as long as the apprentice(s) is a North Dakota resident.
- For the Artist in Residence program, teaching artists from North Dakota may request a higher percentage of the total project costs, with a smaller cash match required.
- Specific residency requirements are outlined in the grant guidelines found on each program’s webpage.
Do you have grants for organizations?
Yes. NDCA supports nonprofit organizations, schools, and tribal or community entities with grants to fund arts programming and initiatives.
What types of organizational projects can be funded with NDCA grants?
Organizations can apply for the Accessibility Grant, Community Arts Access, Institutional Support, Professional Development, Special Projects, and more. Visit the Organizations grant page: https://www.arts.nd.gov/grants/arts-organizations for detailed information.
How much funding is available and are matching funds required?
Funding amounts vary by program. Many grants require a financial or in-kind match to demonstrate community investment in the project. Specific details are provided in the grant guidelines found on each program’s webpage.
What are the reporting requirements after the grant is awarded?
Grantees must submit a final report, detailing the project’s outcomes, expenditures, and community impact. Reporting requirements are outlined in each grant agreement.
What types of arts education projects get funded with NDCA grants?
- NDCA supports projects such as:
- Artist residencies in schools
- Professional development for educators
- Community-based arts education collaborations
- Youth-focused art programs
- Visit the Arts Education webpage:https://www.arts.nd.gov/grants/arts-education for more information.
What does an artist in residency look like?
An artist residency typically involves a professional artist working within a school, organization, or community to engage participants in hands-on artmaking. Residencies can range from one day to several weeks and are tailored to meet the specific needs of the host site.
How do we find and connect with qualified teaching artists?
NDCA maintains a roster of qualified teaching artists with expertise in a variety of disciplines. Visit our Teaching Artist Roster webpage:https://www.arts.nd.gov/grants/arts-education/rostered-artists to learn more and find an artist who fits your needs.
Where can I find additional arts opportunities, outside of NDCA grants?
Visit NDCA’s Arts Opportunities webpage:https://www.arts.nd.gov/arts-opportunities to see a variety of ongoing funding opportunities available for individual artists and organizations.
How can I sign up for North Dakota Council on the Arts’ newsletter?
Visit NDCA’s website: https://www.arts.nd.gov/get-involved/sign-ndcas-newsletter to sign up for their monthly newsletter.
Can I list my arts event on NDCA’s website?
NDCA does not have an active Calendar of Events on their website, but they strongly encourage studios, organizations, schools, and universities to list their art events and activities on the ND Tourism website. Visit NDCA’s website: https://www.arts.nd.gov/calendar-events for instructions and a link to ND Tourism’s Calendar of Arts and Cultural Events.
Does North Dakota have a Poet Laureate?
The North Dakota Legislature, with recommendations from North Dakota Council on the Arts, has named a Poet Laureate since 1957. Initially, the Poet Laureate served in perpetuity (with no end date), but during the 2023 Legislative Session, the term limit was set at two years, with the option to name a new Poet Laureate during future Sessions.