The McKnight Foundation funds the state’s 11 Regional Arts Councils (RACs), established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1977 to encourage local art and cultural activity throughout the state. Since 2010, the RACs have directed all McKnight funding to support individual artists and artist-centered activities.
Region 1: Northwest Minnesota Arts Council
Warren, MN (218) 745-9111
Counties served: Kittson, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, and Roseau
Region 2: Region 2 Arts Council
Bemidji, MN (218) 751-5447
Counties served: Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods, and Mahnomen
Region 3: Arrowhead Regional Arts Council
Duluth, MN (800) 569-8134
Counties served: Aitkin, Carlton, Cook, Itasca, Koochiching, Lake, and St. Louis
Region 4: Lake Region Arts Council
Fergus Falls, MN (800) 262-2787
Counties served: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, and Wilkin
Region 5: Five Wings Arts Council
Staples, MN (218) 894-5485
Counties served: Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena
Region 6E/SW/8: Southwest Minnesota Arts Council
Marshall, MN (800) 622-5284
Counties served: Big Stone, Cottonwood, Chippewa, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lac qui Parle, Lincoln, Lyon, McLeod, Meeker, Murray, Nobles, Pipestone, Redwood, Renville, Rock, Swift, and Yellow Medicine
Region 7E: East Central Regional Arts Council
Braham, MN (320) 396-2337
Counties served: Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, and Pine
Region 7W: Central Minnesota Arts Board
Foley, MN (320) 968-4290
Counties served: Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright
Region 9: Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council
Waseca, MN (800) 298-1254
Counties served: Blue Earth, Brown, Faribault, Le Sueur, Martin, Nicollet, Sibley, Waseca, and Watonwan
Region 10: Southeast Minnesota Arts Council
Rochester, MN (507) 281-4848
Counties served: Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona
Region 11: Metropolitan Regional Arts Council
St. Paul, MN (651) 645-0402
Counties served: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, suburban Hennepin, suburban Ramsey, Scott, and Washington