Muskegon, Michigan – The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) announced the approval of 477 grants totaling $10,677,184 in awards across the state with over $200,000 of those funds going to organizations in Muskegon county.
Overall, grants were awarded to organizations in 56 Michigan counties of which Muskegon County garnered seven. MCACA stated it received 575 applications for funding and used the services of 126 peer reviewers over the course of the summer to determine eligibility for the awards.
The Block, a downtown Muskegon music-arts presenter and its parent organization the West Michigan Symphony were awarded grants for the 2018 funding year along with the Muskegon Museum of Art Foundation, the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, the Howmet Playhouse and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.
Funding recipients were approved at a Sept. 15 MCACA meeting at the Michigan Library and Historical Center in Lansing. Recipients include nonprofit organizations such as arts-related festivals, arts-presenting venues, schools, historical societies, museums, dance groups and symphonies. The granted funds cover costs associated with operations, projects, capital improvements, arts-in-education residences, services to the field and regional re-granting initiatives.
“These grants provide vital support for the ongoing cultural development of communities throughout Michigan,” said MCACA Executive Director John Bracey. “We appreciate the support of Gov. Rick Snyder and the legislature for increasing funding to groups and events that inspire cultural pride and appreciation for the heritage of our communities.”
MCACA grant information can be found online.