On Aug. 18, the board of directors of the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council awarded 21 grants for a total of $93,910 in funding to applicants throughout southeastern Minnesota. This included 10 individual artist grants for $50,000 and 11 general operating support grants to arts organizations for $43,910. Among those benefitting from the grants was the Albert Lea Community Theater which received a $4,000 general operating support grant.

SEMAC is the state arts board-designated granting authority for local/regional arts producing and sponsoring organizations and disburses funds allocated for this purpose by the Minnesota State Legislature. The SEMAC region includes the counties of Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona.

For information about the grant application process, eligibility, or grant writing assistance, contact the SEMAC office at 2778 D Commerce Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901 or call 507-281-4848. Information may also be found on the group’s website at www.semac.org.