The Michigan Arts, Culture, & Council grants six counties in region 9 $959,418. The grantees of Hillsdale, Jackson, Livingston, Lenawee, Monroe, and Washtenaw were members in either programs of Arts and Cultural Projects and Professional and/or Organizational Development (POD). The applications for the mini grants were reviewed by a panel of artists, organizational leaders, and inhabitants while implementing the criteria formed by MACC.
A representative from Creative Washtenaw, Deb Polich, spotlighted, "The investment of public funds in Michigan's arts + creative industries by the Michigan legislature has a ripple effect across the state. The programs, projects and services funded by these grants enrich our communities and are enjoyed by residents and visitors. Michigan's creative assets contribute to the improvement of education, tourism, healthcare, the workforce, the economy, as well as the overall quality of life and sense of place. We are delighted to oversee the Region 9 program and unveil its FY24 mini-grant initiative."
$34,500 was distributed to the Arts & Projects mini grants in support of the longevity, creative engagement and creation, production, and showcasing of the program. The industries under this program received as little as $2,000 and as much as $4,000. The city of Tecumseh, APGAudio Visual Mentoring Inc, Copper tree Collective, Friends of the Dawn Theater of Hillsdale, Mich., Library of the Great Lakes, and Sweet Adelines International all received a grant of $4,000. St. Louis Center and Ballet Chelsea both received $2,835. Concert Music Outreach Collective received $2,000 and Hillsdale County School of the Arts Inc received $2,830.
$10,500 was distributed to Professional & Organizational Development Grants (POD) to aid the productivity and production of the organization and staff. The industries under this program received as little as $725 and as much as $1,500. Ann Arbor Hands On Museum, Lenawee Symphony Orchestra Society Inc, and Sweet Adelines International all received $1,125. Amy Hutchison, Kerrytown Concert House Inc, and The Ark received $1,025. Argus Museum received $900, Cheryl Chidester received $725, Young Dancers Initiative received $925, and Eli Zemper received $1,500.
The MACC had their meeting on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023, and during that, they approved $9,784,050 in arts and cultural grants statewide. Washtenaw County will be affected by the benefit of receiving $744,323 in grants to be distributed to 38 arts and cultural organizations for support in bettering management and development.
