About the Open Call

The Next Step Fund is a grant program designed to assist individual artists in the 7-county metropolitan area. It provides funding for proposals that help artists sustain their careers, overcome professional barriers, or capitalize on beneficial opportunities. Applicants must be able to provide work samples of their own original art and can be at any stage in their career. The program is supported by the McKnight Foundation and funding from the Minnesota State Arts Board through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

What is Offered

Grants of up to $6,000.

Requirements

Applicants must be individual artists at any career stage and provide work samples of their original art. Proposals must outline how the funding will sustain the artist's career trajectory, overcome a barrier, or leverage a career opportunity.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the Submittable platform. The application window opens on February 2, 2026, and closes on March 16, 2026, at 12:00 noon. Applicants are encouraged to review the Grant Program Overview and Application Instructions (PDF or Word version) before beginning their proposal.