National Endowment for the Arts also awards $400,000 to 10 Michigan organizations

July 10, 2009

Today, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) awarded $438,007 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act) funds to 37 arts and cultural institutions in Michigan, preserving more than 140 jobs in 21 counties. Additionally, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) provided direct grants to 10 Michigan nonprofit organizations, totaling $400,000.

"These Recovery Act dollars will not only save jobs in arts and cultural organizations all over Michigan," said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, "they will support additional jobs and economic growth in the communities they call home."

This one-time funding opportunity was specifically designed to preserve jobs in the arts and culture sector threatened by declines in philanthropic and other support during the current economic downturn. The MCACA received 122 applications, requesting nearly $1.5 million in funds.

"Our struggling economy has really hit nonprofit arts and cultural organizations hard and any support we can offer will be a help," said John Bracey, executive director of the MCACA. "Although the need is still great in Michigan's nonprofit sector, we are pleased to be able to help these outstanding organizations preserve jobs and continue to provide exceptional arts and cultural programming in their communities."

The $438,007 in grant awards includes $92,907 coming from a partnership agreement between MCACA and Arts Midwest, a regional arts organization based in Minneapolis that serves Michigan and the entire Midwest region. "Arts Midwest is grateful for the opportunity to continue our long-standing partnership with the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs to serve Michigan arts organizations and preserve vital jobs in a state confronted with sobering economic and employment challenges," said Arts Midwest Executive Director David Fraher.

A list of MCACA grant recipients is available at www.michigan.gov/arts. A list of the organizations receiving grants directly from the NEA is available at http://www.michigan.gov/recovery/0,1607,7-172--217874--,00.html.

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative, cultural activity in Michigan. It is an agency within the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/arts.

Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the Department of History, Arts and Libraries also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission and the Michigan Historical Center. Learn more at www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).