On September 8, 2026, the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council (SEMAC) Board of Directors awarded 14 Project Support for Individual Artists & Culture Bearers grants, 6 to Emerging Artists and 8 to Advancing Artists, for a total of $71,725 in funding to individuals throughout southeastern Minnesota.
Rice County
• Trina Brunk received a $4,000 Emerging Artist grant for Pollinator Songs.
• Nat Wilson received a $4,000 Emerging Artist grant for Folklore of Wild Places.
• James Sanford received a $6,000 Advancing Artist grant for 4th Annual Northfield Jazz Festival.
Recipients were selected through a competitive process with applications judged on three criteria, artistic merit, demand or need, and ability to accomplish. SEMAC congratulates the award winners and looks forward to celebrating the creativity these grants will bring to southeastern Minnesota.
SEMAC has served as the designated regional arts council for Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona, including the Prairie Island Indian Community since 1977.
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 and cultural heritage fund.
For more information, visit semac.org or contact Anastasia Shartin, Executive Director, at 507-281-4848.
