Help Available in Michigan

Casa de Unidad (Unity House) "is a non-profit cultural and arts education center... that provides southwest Detroit and other communities with the best available resources and programs that discover, develop, celebrate, and advance the Hispanic/Latino arts.

Michigan Economic Development Corporation Provides a multitude of services for businesses or organizations that are just starting up or that have been around awhile, that deal with communities’ economic development needs.

Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center "is known throughout Michigan for its quality counsel, training and market research capabilities. All services are available at low-or no-cost because of the financial support of the Small Business Administration and local partners in each region."

Michigan Timely Application & Permit Service Provides an array of services for businesses such as: "a one-stop shopping for Michigan business permits, documentation needed to complete the process, the ability to submit electronic documents, ability to pay permitting fees online, it also helps determine permit requirements-regardless of the department, and allows online permit application and online status tracking."

Public Policy Associates, Incorporated "solves information and policy-development problems for clients. These problems may include documenting the need for creating or retaining a public policy, developing insights into the needs of the members or customers of an organization, evaluating an existing or proposed program, or designing and implementing a strategic plan for improvement. Clients may be either public or private sector, Michigan-based or national."

Public Sector Consultants (PSC) "is a private Michigan corporation providing policy research in the areas of health, education, economics, the environment, and technology; survey research; program evaluation; and strategic planning."

The Right Place, Inc. "is a regional, non-profit economic development organization that is directed by a board consisting of business and community leaders. Its mission is to promote area economic growth through high-quality employment, productivity, and technology... the program focuses on retaining existing jobs, supporting local business growth, and attracting new businesses to the Greater Grand Rapids area."

National Help

Actors’ Fund of America "offers a broad spectrum of programs including comprehensive social services (financial assistance); health care services; employment and training; and housing. Administered through our offices in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, these programs help people solve problems and make positive changes in their lives."

American Folklife Center "at the Library of Congress was created in 1976 ‘to preserve and present American Folklife.’ The center incorporates the Archive of Folk Culture, which was established at the Library in 1928 as a repository for American Folk Music. The Center and its collections have grown to encompass all aspects of folklore and folklife from this country and around the world."

Artist Career Training: Business Sense for the ArtWorld "helps you learn how to develop and maintain a productive, satisfying and sustainable career as a fine artist."

Artists’ Fellowship, Inc. "is a private, charitable foundation that assists professional fine artists (painters, graphic artists, sculptors) and their families in times of emergency, disability, or bereavement... Assistance is given without expectation of repayment. One does not need to be a Member of the Fellowship to receive assistance; neither does membership in the Artists’ Fellowship entitle one to assistance from the foundation."

Artists’ Health Insurance Resource Center "database was created in 1998 by The Actors’ Fund of America, with a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, as a health insurance resource for artists and people in the entertainment industry"

ARTSPACE their "mission is to create, foster, and preserve affordable space for artists and arts organizations. We pursue this mission through development projects, asset management activities, consulting services, and community-building activities that serve artists and arts organizations of all disciplines, cultures, and economic circumstances. By creating this space, Artspace supports the continued professional growth of artists and enhances the cultural and economic vitality of the surrounding community."

Bromelkamp Company: foundation technology their "mission is to foster the work of grant makers and community lenders through technology and advice that enables effectiveness and innovation."

The Brookings Institution "is a private nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and innovative policy solutions. For more than 90 years, Brookings has analyzed current and emerging issues and produced new ideas that matter – for the nation and the world. For policy-makers and the media, Brookings scholars provide the highest quality research, policy recommendations, and analysis on the full range of public policy issue. Research at Brookings Institution is conducted to inform the public debate, not advance a political agenda."

Craft Emergency Relief Fund Their mission "is to strengthen and sustain the careers of craft artists across the United States... CERF accomplishes its mission through direct financial and educational assistance to craft artists, including emergency relief assistance, business development support, and resources and referrals on topics such as health, safety, and insurance. CERF also advocates, engages in research and backs policy that supports craft artists’ careers.

The Crafts Report This Web site offers a lot of tools/resources for those involved with or interested in the craft industry. Some of these useful resources would include but are not limited to: statistical and economic information about the industry; a list of craft organizations; and a list of small business services offered.

Creative Capital: artists’ toolbox "is a resource-bank for artists, an annotated collection of career-resource sites." The tools offered include: arts advocacy; arts organization management; career & life management; fellowships & grants; festivals, tours, & residencies; legal & financial issues; and technology.

Economic Prosperity Calculator This is a free Arts & Economic Prosperity Calculator, which is "a simple tool that makes it possible for you to estimate the economic impact of your nonprofit arts organization – or even your entire nonprofit art community – on your local economy".

TGCI: THE GRANTSMANSHIP CENTER "conducts some 200 workshops annually in grantsmanship, enterprise development and fundraising. More than 100 local agencies host these workshops and every year thousands of new graduates join our roster of more than 100,000 alumni. TGCI alumni attend regular meetings in Los Angeles and other cities, receive continuing support from the TGCI organization, and benefit from technical assistance and other forms of support delivered through the Internet."

Incentis Group "is a national practice of incentives and credits professionals with extensive experience throughout the United States." Some of the services they provide are: Incentives Structuring and Negotiating; Tax Burden and Incentives Analysis; Incentives Enhancement Strategies; Incentives & Credits Compliance; Multi-State Credits & Incentives Reviews; Site Selection; Location Analysis; Economic & Fiscal Impact Studies; Economic Development Consulting, New Markets Tax Credit.

Meet the Composer "increases opportunities for composers by fostering the creation, performance, dissemination, and appreciation of their music... With support from foundations, corporations, individual patrons and government sources, Meet the Composer designs programs that support composers writing in all styles of music... Meet the Composer has worked with thousands of artistic and civic organizations, helping them to develop and sustain a commitment to new music, and catalyzing partnerships that bring music by living American composers to their audiences. In rural communities, small towns, suburban centers, and urban neighborhoods, Meet the Composer-sponsored events put composers into direct personal and professional contact with people of all kinds."

Partners for Livable Communities "is a national, nonprofit organization working to restore and renew our communities. Partners has over twenty-five years of experience in solving community problems by providing information, leadership and guidance that help communities help themselves. We welcome the opportunity to bring our experience to your community."

Rural Information Center (RIC) "assists local communities by providing information and referral services to local, tribal, state, and federal government officials; community organizations; libraries; businesses; and citizens working to maintain the vitality of America’s rural areas."

Small Business Administration Their mission is to "maintain and strengthen the nation’s economy by aiding, counseling, assisting and protecting the interest of small businesses by helping families and businesses recover from national disasters."

Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage "is a research and educational unit... promoting the understanding and continuity of diverse, contemporary grassroots cultures in the United States and around the world."

Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts "provides legal and business services to artists and arts organizations in every discipline, including: acting, animation, architectural design, book making, choreography, composition, computer design, costume design, craft and folk arts, dance, directing, fashion, film, graphic design, literary arts, modeling, multi-media, music, photography, playwriting, poetry, printmaking, screenwriting, songwriting, theater, and visual arts."

Updated 12/6/2006

Cultural Economic Development, Department of History, Arts and Libraries
Contact cculha@michigan.gov with your question or comment about this page.