Lake Region Arts Council offers two different Artist Cohort Programs.

Lake Region Arts Council offers two Artist Cohort Programs, alternating every other year. The BIPOC Artist Cohort is funded by McKnight Foundation and ran in LRAC's 2025-26 fiscal year. The Artist Cohort is funded by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and runs in 2026-27. Both programs are designed to help artists identify and work toward their professional goals.

The FY27 LRAC Artist Cohort is a free, 10-month program running from September 2026 through June 2027. It provides intensive career support to help artists at any stage of their career advance their professional goals. Applications open Thursday, July 23 and close Wednesday, August 20, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Central.

Participants will receive:

•           One-on-one career support, coaching, and goal setting

•           A professional photoshoot of their work and a headshot

•           A professionally produced 2 or 3-minute promotional video

•           Grant writing support and guidance on applying for funding

•           Springboard for the Arts “Work of Art” training series

•           Individual support with Artist Statements and Bios

•           A feature article in LRAC’s ArtsNews newsletter

•           Career promotion through LRAC’s Facebook page

•           Talking Circles hosted by professional artists

•           A group exhibition in LRAC’s Main Gallery

Applications for the FY27 Artist Cohort open Thursday, July 23, 2026.

If you have not made an account through our LRAC Grant Portal, you will need to do so before applying.

Applications close August 20,2026


Lee Smalt
Program Manager

Eligible counties for the LRAC BIPOC Artist Cohort: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, Wilkin, Cass in MN, and Richland Counties in North Dakota.

Eligible counties for the LRAC Artist Cohort: Becker, Clay, Douglas, Grant, Otter Tail, Pope, Stevens, Traverse, & Wilkin.

Feel free to contact Lee, the Program Coordinator, for more information at LRAC4@LRACgrants.org or 218-739-5780.


FY26 BIPOC Artist Cohort Members click below:

FY26 LRAC BIPOC Artist Cohort Stipend Information Document


Participants in the 2024-2025 Artist Cohort:

Maren Kostrzewski

Emma Tomb


Whitney McClain

Katy Olson


Tina Goodmund

 
The Artist Cohort program helps artists achieve their professional goals.

2023-2024 Artists of Color Cohort

Lera Hepner

Jalaya  Whitecloud

Richard Palay

2022-2023 Artist Cohort

Courtney Werk

Annette Marchand

Vicky Radel

Jessica Hexum

Anna Lasonde

Brian Christiansen


2021-2022 Artists of Color Cohort

Amanda Strauss

Brenda Uses Arrow

Judy Smiley

2020-2021 Artist Cohort

Nancy XiaoRong Valentine

Jillayne Hanson

Michael Burgraff

Kelli Sinner

Carmen McCullough

Kandace Creel Falcon


Other Artist Cohorts from Years Past

Patricia Wahl

Chris Mortenson

Ruth Hanson

Chanda Kraft

Bridget Guiza

Su Legatt

Becky Albright

Jon Thompson

Sarah Eckel

Sharon Marquardt

Katherine McDowell

Ann DuHamel

Grace Clark

Michael Weatherly

Victoria Hannah

Amanda Boyle

Jodi Peterson

Alexis A. Johnson