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Posted on Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 5:22 p.m.

Local organizations among winners of state arts grants

By AnnArbor.com Staff

Washtenaw County groups are among recipients of newly announced grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the main source of state support for the arts.

Sixteen local organizations received grants, ranging in amounts from $6,000 to $23,000. The council today approved $2,088,111 in the form of 218 grants to nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions and municipalities in 41 counties to support their efforts to produce high quality arts programming.

Announcement of the MCACA grants used to be more substantial, but the state's budget problems have scaled back the program to a fraction of its heyday. However, the grants remain an important source of funding for many groups.

“With the support of the governor and the Legislature, combined with the efforts of MCACA and arts and cultural organizations statewide, Michigan continues to be a state where the arts are thriving,” said Drew Buchholz, MCACA chairman, in a prepared statement. “The organizations supported by these grants demonstrate Michigan’s commitment to ensuring access to quality arts and cultural programming in communities large and small, urban and rural.”

Washtenaw County grant winners:

Ann Arbor Art Center, Ann Arbor: $6,000
Ann Arbor Film Festival, Ann Arbor: $6,000
Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, Ann Arbor: $10,000
Artrain Inc, Ann Arbor: $6,000
Chelsea District Library, Chelsea: $7,500
Copper Colored Mountain Arts, Ann Arbor: $6,000
Jazzistry, Ann Arbor: $6,000
Kerrytown Concert House, Ann Arbor: $7,500
Michigan Theater Foundation, Ann Arbor: $10,000
Performance Network, Ann Arbor: $7,500
Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: $15,000
Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: $15,000
The Ark, Ann Arbor: $7,500
The Arts Alliance, Ann Arbor: $7,500
The Arts Alliance, Ann Arbor $7,560
The Arts Alliance, Ann Arbor: $23,520
University Musical Society, Ann Arbor $15,000
Wild Swan Theater, Ann Arbor $7,500
Young Adults' Health Center Inc, Ypsilanti: $7,500

The FY 2012 applications represent 6,652 full time employees and an additional 44,421 contracted Michigan artists, according to MCACA. They also indicate that an estimated 45 million individuals will attend their programs or exhibits and of that number some 8.8 million are youth.

“The communities receiving these awards gain so much more than their dollar value,” said John Bracey, executive director of MCACA, in a prepared statement. “These grants enhance education, stimulate cultural tourism, and strengthen communities statewide by impacting local economies and creating a better quality of life.”

MCACA, part of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, aims to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan. For more on its initiatives and programs, visit www.michiganadvantage.org/Arts/.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, a public-private partnership serving as the state's marketing arm and lead agency for business, talent and jobs, focuses on helping grow Michigan's economy. For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: www.MichiganAdvantage.org

Comments

Ron Granger

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 2:46 p.m.

There are some great and deserving organizations on that list. But two entries trouble me: Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: $15,000 Regents of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor: $15,000 What's that about?

hut hut

Wed, Dec 21, 2011 : 4:34 a.m.

$2 million public funding for the arts in Michigan supports 50,000 jobs, 6,000 full time. I would venture that most of this money stays in Michigan and generates even more economic activity statewide. These tax dollars serve upward of 45 million people, including more than 8 million young people. For many people this might be their only exposure to the diversity of art that the recipients provide. This is one heck of a deal for Michigan taxpayers, residents and visitors. As they say, win/win. Who says government can't create jobs? How could anyone, other than uncompromising ultra conservative political dogmatists, have a problem with using tax dollars in such a positive way?

justcurious

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 : 11:23 p.m.

Donate it to the Humane Society of Huron Valley.