Educational Grant
Irish Arts Minnesota offers merit-based educational grants to help students of any age pursue their interest in the traditional arts of Ireland. Our goal is to help people who love Irish music, dance, visual arts, language, or storytelling to continue their studies, move to the next level of mastery, and share their interests with others. Recipients of IAM Educational Grants can continue their studies long into the future and, in so doing, enrich the cultural life of our community. Providing these educational grants is a core purpose of our organization because it invests in future generations of Irish artists.
Since its start in 2006, the program has granted musicians, dancers, dance teachers, students of the Irish (Gaelic) language, and a costume designer. Recipients have used their grants for travel expenses, to help purchase an instrument, and for supplies and classes. The options are as broad as the ideas of the applicants. Grant recipients come back and perform at future IAM events throughout the year to share their crafts with our community.
IAM funds the Educational Grant Program with proceeds from its annual St. Patrick’s Day Irish Celebration and Day of Irish Dance at Landmark Center, ‘IAM Honors’ events, IAM’s Irish Dancer T-shirts, private donations, and other events during the year.
The ideal candidate will have demonstrated a commitment over time to developing mastery in their field of study, a willingness to help or teach others, and a generosity in sharing their skills in performance in a range of settings (if applicable).
Applicants should complete an application and submit it along with a letter of recommendation by April 15. Applications will be reviewed and selections made by June 1st. Funds will be available by July.
Grant recipients must commit to spending their grant by the end of the calendar year and to providing documentation of their expenses to the Irish Arts Minnesota by January 31st, the following year.
Donate to the Educational Grant Program
100% of your gift to the Educational Grant Program is used to help aspiring musicians, dancers and other students of Ireland’s traditional arts. Your donation is also 100% tax-deductible.
Decade of Dance Award
The Decade of Dance Award recognizes the significant commitment required to be a student, performer, or competitor of Irish Dance. The dancers who receive this award have studied Irish dance for at least ten years – for most, it represents the majority of their young lives – and receive a personalized certificate and medal to honor their dedication and contribution.
2025 marks the 20th year the Decade of Dance Award has been offered, and more than 315 dancers have received the honor. They have shared a very special element of Irish culture with audiences in various settings, from community festivals and concert halls to nursing homes and schools. Along the way, they delight audiences, make friends, and serve as delightful and engaging ambassadors for Irish culture to the greater community.
The awards are presented at the Day of Irish Dance at the Landmark Center each March.
Please send any questions to [email protected].
IAM Honors
Each fall, Irish Arts Minnesota honors someone in the Twin Cities who has made significant commitment to studying and performing Irish arts throughout their lifetime, and whose contributions have impacted the larger community.