Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council
December News & Events
| | Mainspring Arty Block Party. Photo by The Alma Collective | | Congratulations to Recent SEMAC Organizational Grant Recipients! | |
On November 10, 2025, the SEMAC Board of Directors awarded 56 grants to organizations across southeastern Minnesota for a total of $391,262, supporting arts and cultural programming throughout 2026.
This round of funding includes 24 General Operating Support grants to help organizations maintain essential operations, 30 Programming & Project Support grants for specific artistic projects and performances, and 2 Artists & Culture Bearers in the Schools grants bringing professional creatives into K-12 educational settings.
See the full list of grant recipients at semac.org.
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| SEMAC Project Support for Individual Artists & Culture Bearers | | |
The next application deadline for SEMAC's Project Support for Individual Artists & Culture Bearers grant is January 19, 2026, with funded projects able to start as early as April 18, 2026. Applications will open on December 15.
These project grants provide financial support for individuals ready to experiment, tackle new challenges, or deepen their practice. Whether you work in painting, photography, printmaking, textiles, music, dance, theater, performance, storytelling, literary arts, intermedia arts, traditional arts, or other creative disciplines, you're encouraged to apply.
Emerging artists and culture bearers can apply for grants ranging from $2,000 to $4,000, while Advancing creatives (those who can demonstrate regional or national recognition for previous work) may apply for $3,000 to $6,000.
See the Workshops section below for information about how to register for a step-by-step workshop on December 16 that will focus on the application for this grant opportunity.
| | A Warm Welcome to Desmond Anabrang! SEMAC's New
Grants Program Manager | | |
Desmond Anabrang recently joined the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council as Grants Program Manager. Before moving to Minnesota, he spent several years working closely with rural communities in Indonesia, supporting arts programming, cultural research, and community-based initiatives. His work has focused on collaboration, cultural continuity, and creating opportunities for artists and makers across different regions.
Now based in Rochester, Desmond is excited to immerse himself in the heartbeat of Southeast Minnesota’s arts community. What he loves most about the arts is how they intertwine with culture, heritage, daily life, and personal and collective reflection.
Stepping into this role gives him the chance to experience that richness firsthand, meet the people who shape it, and slowly find his place within this creative landscape. Outside of work, Desmond enjoys practicing wax-resist dye techniques known as batik, a craft tradition he shares with his family and has long admired.
| | Upcoming Workshop Offerings | | |
Organization Skills Workshop Series
Fundamentals of Nonprofit Finance
Thursday, December 4
1-4p via Zoom
presented by Propel Nonprofits
This free workshop is ideal for anyone new to the nonprofit sector, nonprofit finance, or to their position as staff or board member or those looking for a refresher. Designed to make you more comfortable with nonprofit finance, the workshop will walk through nonprofit finance terminology, financial statements, and staff and board roles and responsibilities.
Registration is required.
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SEMAC Individual Artists & Culture Bearers Grant Workshop
Mantorville Opera House
Monday, December 8 | 6-8p
In this free, in-person workshop, Executive Director Anastasia Shartin and Outreach & Accessibility Manager Sharon Mansur will share an overview of SEMAC’s grant programs and professional development opportunities. They will also discuss the process of applying for an Individual Artists & Culture Bearers Grant (next deadline January 19, 2026), share helpful tips and resources, and offer time for creatives to mingle and connect.
All are welcome. Registration is encouraged.
| | | Information Session
Rochester Art Center
Wednesday, December 10
6-7:15p
This in-person info session, led by Program Directors Tracy Krumm (Fiber Artists) and Dana Kassel (Dancers and Choreographers) will address the full McKnight Artist and Culture Bearers Fellowship program which supports 15 artistic disciplines, and more specifically to Fiber Artist and Dancer/Choreographer Fellowships. The presentation will include plenty of time for questions.
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SEMAC Individual Artists & Culture Bearers Virtual Grant Workshop
Via Zoom
Tuesday, December 16 | 6-8:30p
Executive Director Anastasia Shartin and Outreach & Accessibility Manager Sharon Mansur will take participants step-by-step through the application for the Individual Artists & Culture Bearers Project Support Grant, due January 19, sharing helpful tips along the way. This workshop will take place via Zoom and will be recorded. Registration is required to participate and to receive the recording.
Contact sharon@semac.org, (507)281-4848, 711 TTY with questions or accessibility needs.
| | SEMAC's December Public Events | | December's arts and cultural events are made possible through the generous support of Minnesota taxpayers through the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. | | |
Widespot Krismas Kookies
Holiday Show
Saturday, December 6 | 7-8:30p
Widespot Performing Arts
Wabasha, MN
Krismas Kookies – a fun holiday show for the whole family!
This group is comical, sometimes sentimental, but always entertaining. This Wisconsin five-piece band of retired educators will fill your evening with hilarious holiday tunes, heartwarming melodies, and a few surprises (think mariachi, blues, and more).
Kick off your holiday celebrations with the Widespot.
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Foundations: Art by the Drawing Foundations Workshop at Winona Arts Center
Sunday, December 7 | 1-4p
Artist Talk with Andy Kranz at 2p
Winona Arts Center
Winona, MN
The Drawing Foundations workshop series created by Andy Kranz invites you to a special gallery opening. Ten emerging artists from the community spent October exploring drawing techniques, composition fundamentals, and expanding their artistic vocabulary.
Please join us in viewing the diverse range of artwork created during the workshop series and to celebrate the growth and creativity of our neighbors.
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Light Up the Night with Song
Thursday, December 25
On-line
Hosted by Freeborn County Arts Initiative
Albert Lea, MN
Light Up the Night is the Freeborn County Arts Initiative’s annual winter virtual variety show. It is a curated, story-driven film featuring artists from across the region and country. Each year, we bring together short holiday- or winter-themed performances such as music, movement, spoken word, poetry, and more. These pieces are shaped into a warm, imaginative narrative that feels like a gathering during the darkest days of the season.
Our team edits the virtual submissions into a cohesive journey in which every artist’s piece becomes a chapter in a larger story. The final film is about an hour long and is comforting, whimsical, and reflective—something families can enjoy together throughout the holidays.
We are accepting submissions through December 20.
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Enchanted Winter Formal & Dance Enchantment Program
Saturday, December 20 | 6:30-10:30p
125Live (River Room)
Rochester, MN
The Enchanted Winter Formal, presented by USA Dance Chapter #2017, is one of two affordable, fully inclusive formal dance events held each year to give the community—especially people of all abilities—an accessible and enjoyable formal event experience.
The accompanying Winter Dance Enchantment Project, which has been running the past six months, is a participatory program focused on accessible dance and arts experiences. Participants learned six different dance routines, which they will perform live at the Enchanted Winter Formal.
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Get Involved with SEMAC
SEMAC is committed to building bridges and nurturing meaningful relationships. We are seeking artists, arts professionals, and arts enthusiasts to join our Arts Advisory Panel and Board of Directors. The Panel is responsible for reviewing grant applications and making funding recommendations to the Board.
If you or someone you know is interested in applying for these service opportunities, please follow these links for more information:
| | SEMAC activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund. | | | | |
