The Krasl Art Center is getting a lift from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs and they’re hopeful you’ll help with matching dollars to elevate their plans going forward.
The Krasl announces today they will receive grant funding totaling $55,338 from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). Those grants are awarded through the MCACA fiscal year 2019. Funding includes $1,911 in federal funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.
A capital improvement grant will partially fund updates needed for the 39 year old elevator at the Krasl. Targeted maintenance over the past three years has left the elevator operational, but a new system will offer better service to Krasl Art Center patrons enrolled in classes held on the third floor and on the basement level. The second grant is for operational support, which includes support of Krasl programs, operations and administration.
Organizations receiving MCACA grant awards are required to match the funds with other public and private dollars, so the Krasl Art Center is now seeking to raise $40,000 for the elevator upgrade by the installation date which is scheduled for May 2019. Gifts will be matched dollar for dollar by the MCACA grant – up to $35,338. Matching dollars for Krasl’s grants come, in part, through individual and corporate contributions and through exhibition sponsorship.
In his letter of support for this grant funding, Benton Harbor Mayor, Marcus Muhammad, noted the KAC’s efforts to reduce barriers of access to the arts. He credited the organization with boosting cultural tourism and economic vitality of the twin cities.
MCACA used its general fund appropriation to make 1,084 grant awards in 74 out of Michigan’s 83 counties. 530 grants were awarded directly out of the 648 applicants, and the MCACA awarded $10,777,407 out of the $18,330,156 requested.
The MCACA peer review process allows each grant application to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and cultural professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors and residents in Michigan have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences.
