Grants provide vital support to pillar cultural institutions; strengthen community arts, history, educational organizations

•Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs announces 2018-19 recipients •Funds delivered to more than two-thirds of state’s 83 counties

LANSING, Mich. – High-profile fine-and-performing arts institutions, community theater groups, musical festivals, historical societies, art centers and educational centers are among 506 recipients sharing $10.7 million in arts grants. Funds to grantees for 2018-19 fiscal year were announced today by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.

“Arts and cultural organizations in Michigan are extremely solid,” said MCACA Chair Omari Rush. “Every year we see an increase in projects and programs, and real growth in the quality of organizations and their understanding of their place in working to strengthen their communities. Their commitment is something every Michigander should be proud of.”

This year, grants have been awarded to recipients in 59 of the state’s 83 counties. The funds provide vital support for a range of community-based organizations with the purpose of preserving local history and cultivating an appreciation and participation in the arts, said MCACA Executive Director John Bracey.

Grants cover costs associated with operations, projects, capital improvements, arts-in-education residences, services to the field, and regional re-granting initiatives. Throughout the year, MCACA staff travel around the state to assist organizations prepare for the grant-making process.

“Every year the applications we receive continue to get better, which of course make our job more difficult,” said Bracey. “Much of the difficulty we have is due to the ratio of requests to awards. It becomes a matter of how to reach as many eligible organizations that scored in a fundable range as possible, statewide, with our limited funding.”

MCACA evaluated 598 requests from applicants that asked for a total of $18.7 million in support, far above the $10.7 million allocated for 2018-19 fiscal year arts grants. “The fact is we can’t meet the need, but honestly, we could not provide any of this, if it were not for the incredible support we have received from Gov. Snyder and the legislature,” he said.

Awards were based on peer review process, which was adjudicated in a public forum. Recommendations from 26 panels were made to the Governor’s Council, which determined final approval.

Recipients by program is listed at: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/4a5c14/globalassets/documents/mcaca/fy19/fy2019-grant-awards-by-program.pdf

A list of recipients by county is at: https://www.michiganbusiness.org/4a5b64/globalassets/documents/mcaca/fy19/fy2019-grant-awards-by-county.pdf

MCACA serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan. MCACA is an agency within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the state’s chief marketing arm focusing on business attraction, job creation, building Michigan’s image and fostering community development throughout the state.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.