County Fair Arts Access and Cultural Heritage Grants

On November 8, 2008, Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment. Commonly known as the “Legacy Amendment,” the amendment to Minnesota’s constitution increased the state sales tax by three-eighths of one percent and dedicated 20% of the resulting revenue to be “deposited in the arts and cultural heritage fund and may be spent only for arts, arts education, and arts access and to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage.” Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, Section 15

In 2011, the Minnesota Legislature authorized the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) to spend $2.8 million in state fiscal years 2012 and 2013 of Legacy Arts and Cultural Heritage Funds to provide grants to each of the state’s county fairs “to enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage as embodied in its county fairs.” Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Appropriations, Article 4, Section 2, Subdivision 10

All county fair applications will be received and reviewed by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.

Grants Program

The MDA administers two parts of the County Fair Arts Access and Cultural Heritage Grant Programs: The Equal Share Grant and the Competitive Grant. Both grants require county fairs to use funds to enhance arts access and education and to preserve and promote Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage. Appropriated money may not be spent on any activities not directly related to the stated criteria. Additionally, the Minnesota Constitution mandates—“The dedicated money under this section must supplement traditional sources of funding for these purposes and may not be used as a substitute.” Minnesota Constitution Article XI, Section 15.

The equal share grant program distributes $700,000 in state fiscal year 2012, and another $700,000 in state fiscal year 2013, in equal amounts to each of the state’s county fairs and is not competitive. The competitive grant program distributes $700,000 in state fiscal year 2012, and another $700,000 in state fiscal year 2013, for selected projects and is competitive.

Program Goals

To ensure all Minnesotans have the opportunity to participate in the arts, arts education, and in programs that preserve and promote Minnesota’s historical, and cultural heritage.
To increase exposure to, and preserve, the diversity of cultural heritages that make up Minnesota’s history and culture.
To promote and highlight artistic excellence and exceptional programming, administered by state and local organizations and by individuals.
To engage new audiences by removing barriers—whether they be geographic, economic, related to age, racial/ethnic characteristics, disability—to access the arts, arts education, and programs that preserve and promote Minnesota’s agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage.

Project Requirements

Funded activities must directly develop or enhance county fair facilities or other projects or programs that provide access to the arts, arts education, or agricultural, historical, and cultural heritage programs.
Funded activities must supplement traditional programming and not substitute. Grant money must supplement the fair’s budget, allowing it to undertake a project that goes above and beyond what traditional financial sources allow and does not supplant, replace or substitute portions of the regular budget.

Authorization

MDA Contact

Emily Murphy, State Program Administrator
Emily.Murphy@state.mn.us, 651-201-6648

Ag Marketing & Development Division