Gov. Whitmer Announces Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Changing Name to Michigan Arts and Culture Council

LANSING, Mich. - Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs to announce that the state’s leading arts and culture agency is changing its name to the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) effective today.

“For more than 30 years, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs has supported and nurtured Michigan’s vibrant arts and culture—stimulating Michigan’s economy, investing in communities, and enhancing quality of life,” said Governor Whitmer. “The new name reflects the leadership role the Council plays in ensuring that every citizen and community in Michigan enjoys the civic, economic and educational benefits of arts and culture. The MACC will help us continue putting Michiganders first and building a state where every working family can thrive.”

The Michigan Arts and Culture Council, an agency within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan. Through competitive grant programs, MACC encourages arts and culture organizations, cities and municipalities, educational institutions, and other nonprofit organizations to develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan. 

In fiscal year 2021, MACC made a total of $9.1 million in 766 grant awards to arts and culture organizations in 72 of Michigan’s 83 counties. Michigan’s creative economy contributes nearly 89,000 jobs in more than 10,000 businesses, ultimately generating more than $4.09 billion in wages for Michiganders.

“After years of knowing we needed to update our name, we are looking forward to moving ahead with a new name and soon, a new logo,” said MACC Director Alison Watson. “Our name may have changed, but we are and will continue to be committed to ensuring that every citizen and every community in our great state enjoys the civic, economic and educational benefits of arts and culture.”

Arts and culture contribute powerfully to the vibrancy of Michigan cities and communities, creating great places to live, work, and visit, and destinations that attract talent and business investment. For example, with support from $215,649 in grant funds from MACC, the city of Holland is working collaboratively with local organizations, colleges, schools, and the private sector to enrich the quality of life for the residents through high-quality productions, educational programming, and a wide range of art exhibits and cultural events.

“The support from MACC has been and continues to be a driving force for Holland and the Lakeshore area that we serve. We have been able to truly bring to life our mission of educating, engaging, and challenging the community through the arts,” said Holland Area Arts Council Executive Director Lori Gramer. “In small communities like ours, collaboration is critical to creating a vibrant life. We are very grateful to the State’s commitment to arts and culture.”

CultureSource, a member association for nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in Southeast Michigan, has received funding from MACC for operational support and also serves as a MACC Regional Regranting partner. Omari Rush, CultureSource executive director and immediate past chair of the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, said the new streamlined name more effectively represents MACC’s efforts in championing arts and cultural organizations, initiatives, and artists throughout the state.

“Although seemingly a small change, on behalf of the creative sector, I thank Governor Whitmer for acknowledging the opportunity to update the name of the Council to ensure that in all of its amazing work, it responsibly and respectfully makes artistic and cultural expression accessible to Michiganders statewide,” Rush said.

To learn more about the Michigan Arts and Culture Council, visit www.michigan.gov/arts.

About the Michigan Arts and Culture Council
As the state's government's lead agency charged with developing arts and culture policy and grant-making, MACC recognizes the need for, and seeks out, a wide variety of public and private sector partners to help fulfill this mission to ensure that every citizen and community in Michigan enjoys the civic, economic and educational benefits of arts and culture.

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.