Celebrating the Arts That Bring Us Together
The Valley Arts Grant Program supports high-quality arts experiences that strengthen community connection, expand access, and celebrate creative expression throughout the St. Croix Valley.
From performances and exhibitions to workshops and installations, these grants make it possible for artists and nonprofits to inspire, engage, and connect people of all ages and backgrounds.
Funded collaboratively by the St. Croix Valley Foundation, Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, and Wisconsin Arts Board, this program reflects a shared belief that the arts are essential to a vibrant and inclusive region—enhancing quality of life, fostering civic engagement, and building bridges across differences.
What We Fund
Valley Arts Grants provide funding for both program support and general operating support to organizations that bring meaningful arts experiences to life.
Examples of eligible activities include:
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Performing arts productions and musical concerts
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Visual arts exhibitions and festivals
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Artist residencies, workshops, and educational events
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Collaborative or place-based community art projects
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Public art installations and cultural events that engage broad audiences
Award Amounts:
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$500–$5,000 for either program support or general operating support
(Eligible only for organizations with arts at the core of their mission)
Grant Cycle: Winter
Who's Eligible
To apply, organizations must:
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Be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, government, tribal, educational, or religious entity,
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Or partner with an eligible fiscal agent,
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Provide programming within the six-county SCVF region:
Chisago, Washington (MN); Burnett, Polk, Pierce, St. Croix (WI).
Note: Individuals and for-profit businesses are not eligible to apply.
Impact in Action: Connecting Through the Arts at Belwin Conservancy
At Belwin Conservancy, art and nature come alive together in Music in the Trees — a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience where melodies drift through a red pine forest and visitors connect with both the land and each other.
Supported by the Valley Arts Grant from the St. Croix Valley Foundation, the event celebrates creativity, community, and the beauty of the natural world. Through performances that echo the diversity and spirit of the region, Belwin is helping people see — and hear — how the arts can deepen our connection to place, to culture, and to one another.
As Belwin Program Director Susan Haugh shares, “When people are in this space, they connect — to nature, to art, and to one another.”
This is just one example of how Valley Arts Grants are sparking creativity, elevating diverse voices, and strengthening community bonds across the region.
The Valley Arts Initiative: A Regional Commitment to Creativity & Collaboration
The Valley Arts Grant Program is made possible by a collaboration between the St. Croix Valley Foundation, Hugh J. Andersen Foundation, and Wisconsin Arts Board.
This collaborative model allows for both regional impact and local relevance—ensuring that funding reflects the diversity of creative expression across the Valley.
Together, we’re not just funding the arts—we’re weaving creativity into the fabric of community life.
From Stillwater to Somerset, River Falls to Chisago Lakes, the Valley Arts Initiative reflects our belief that creativity belongs everywhere—and to everyone.
By investing together, we are building a stronger, more vibrant arts ecosystem across the St. Croix Valley.
Apply
If you're an arts nonprofit creating connection and impact in the St. Croix Valley, we encourage you to apply.
Support
We’re here to help. For questions or guidance on applying, contact: Heidi Herron, Grants and Scholarships Manager.
Donate
Art brings us together. Your donation makes it possible. To make a gift now, click the button below.