Established in 1977, the Five Wings Art Council is one of 11 designated Regional Arts Councils in the state of Minnesota that provide grants and services to nonprofit arts organizations, and individual artists.

The Five Wings Art Council was formed as a response to a legislative initiative that called for more development of the arts in Minnesota at the local level. FWAC is funded through appropriations from the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the State’s general fund and Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (Legacy Amendment) as provided by the Minnesota State Legislature through the vote of the people to pass funding for the arts. FWAC also receives a generous grant from the McKnight Foundation.