Open Call for Rural Minnesota Community Teams for the 2026-2027 Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort!

Department of Public Transformation has an open call for five rural Minnesota communities interested in developing creative strategies for civic engagement. Selected community teams will receive funding, curated technical assistance, and peer learning as a cohort for 12 months!

The Engage Rural Civic Arts Cohort is a year-long curated cohort experience for Core Teams based in rural Minnesota. Core Teams are made up of 3-5 rural community artists/cultural workers, community activators, and civic leaders.

Selected Core Teams will spend twelve months developing creative strategies for civic engagement in their communities, with resources and guidance from DoPT staff. Project funding will support the implementation of those strategies, and cohort members will participate in project check-ins, exchange visits, workshops, and gatherings with fellow cohort members, featured guests, and DoPT staff. Program offerings will be adapted for the unique cultural, economic, and social needs of each participating community. This program is application-based, and participation will be at no cost to selected cohort members.

For the 2026-2027 cohort, DoPT will select 5 Core Teams who are based in rural communities with a population under 20,000 residents in Minnesota and the Native nations that share that geography.

Applications are due by June 17, 2026 at 11:59 pm CT