Nine arts and cultural organizations in Michigan’s Great Southwest will each get $3,000 from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Emergency Relief Fund announced today. All together, 176 organizations throughout Michigan will receive a combined total of more than half a million dollars.
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs announced this afternoon that they have awarded a total of $502,400 in Emergency Relief Fund grants to those 176 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations around the state to provide relief from the negative impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
In our region, these are the recipients of $3,000 grants revealed today:
- Acorn Center for the Performing Arts in Three Oaks
- Bailey Museum Memorial Fund in South Haven
- Buchanan Art Center in Buchanan
- Heritage Museum & Cultural Center in St. Joseph
- Krasl Art Center in St. Joseph
- Long Haul Productions in Three Oaks
- Saugatuck Center for the Arts in Saugatuck
- South Haven Center for the Arts in South Haven
- Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra in St. Joseph
MCACA also leveraged $83,834 in funds from Arts Midwest, a nonprofit regional arts organization and partner to MCACA, to award grants to an additional 28 Michigan organizations.
MCACA Director Alison Watson says, “Today’s Emergency Relief Fund grants are providing immediate support to our state’s arts and cultural organizations as they work to economically recover from the COVID-19 virus,” and adds, “We’re thankful for the support from our partners at Arts Midwest in assisting these organizations that add so much value to Michigan’s economy and bolster the creative life of our communities. It is vital that we do everything we can to restore economic prosperity for all Michiganders to not only recover economically, but to thrive.”
Through funding provided by the National Endowment for the Arts through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act in April, MCACA established the Emergency Relief Funds, making a total of $502,400 in one-time grants to eligible nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, ensuring broad geographic distribution across Michigan. The funds were intended for:
- Salary support (full or partial) for one or more employees
- Fees for artists and/or contractual personnel
- Facility costs, such as rent and utilities
The list of grant recipients by county can be found at the link below:
erf-final-funding-plan-by-county
(The highlighted entries on that list are the awards from Arts Midwest)
Blissfest Music Organization Executive Director Cindy McSurely says, “All operational support is vital now, so the ERF grant has a tremendous impact for us. Thanks go to MCACA and MEDC for this assistance,” adding, “With these funds, we will be able to keep the contractual personnel who we rely on to help develop and book a variety of outreach and performance opportunities that we present for our community.”
To be eligible, applicants had to be a nonprofit arts and cultural organization, have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Services code, and be incorporated and physically located in Michigan.
The applications were reviewed by Council members and staff. To be considered, eligible organizations had to demonstrate the ability to use the funds to secure jobs and keep doors open. The maximum request for funding allowed was $5,000 and there was no match requirement. All of the available funds have been disbursed with today’s grants.
As the state’s government’s lead agency charged with developing arts and culture policy and grant-making, MCACA 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.
