Monthly Archives: April 2015

The Arts Mean Business

Economic impact of the arts in our communities.

MCACA Grant/Minigrant Workshop at Charlevoix Circle of Arts 5/5, 9:30-11am

Funding available for NW Michigan arts & cultural organizations

NorthSky Nonprofit Network will be conducting an arts funding workshop on Tuesday, May 5, at Charlevoix Circle of Arts, 9:30-11am, to discuss the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) Minigrant program, MCACA grant opportunities and guidelines for projects between October 1, 2015 and September 30, 2016.

Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs grant funding is available for:

  • Minigrant Project Grants
  • Minigrant Professional and Operational Development Grants (POD)
  • Operational Support and Project Support grants
  • Capital Improvement grants
  • Artists in Education Residency grants
  • New Leaders grants

Deadline for Operational Support, Project Support, Capital Improvement and Artist in Education grants are due June 1, 2015. Deadline for minigrant submission is August 3, 2015. Those selected for funding will be notified in September.

The grant training sessions are open to all interested in applying for funding. Emphasis will be on minigrant applications, requirements and technical assistance, but general information on all programs will be available. There is no charge to attend.

MCACA minigrants provide funding assistance for local projects that are designed to address arts & cultural needs, increase public access to arts and culture and to support projects that preserve, produce or present traditional or contemporary arts and culture. The grants are funded by the State of Michigan through the Michigan Arts and Cultural Affairs and administered through 10 regrant regions. NorthSky is administering Region 2 funding for Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties.

All applications will be submitted by e-grant at mcaca.egrant.net. Guidelines are available at http://www.michiganadvantage.org/Arts/Grant-Programs/ . Minigrant guidelines are also available on the NorthSky Nonprofit Network website or by contacting regrant coordinator Mary Bevans Gillett at mgillett@chartermi.net.

For questions, to receive guidelines by email or information on other workshop, please contact Mary Bevans Gillett, regrant coordinator, at 231-883-8388 or mgillett@chartermi.net.

Spotlight on Region 2’s MCACA Minigrants

Michigan Council for the Arts minigrants benefit dozens of organizations each year. Designed to extend state funding for the arts into every countMCACA LOGO smally in Michigan, minigrants up to $4,000 are available to support arts projects and up to $1,500 to support professional and organizational development. Here are a few ways that this year’s 20 minigrants are being used:

  • Northwest Michigan Ballet Theatre presented the original ballet and music for Whither Thou Goest: Story of Ruth Ballet in February, featuring choreography by Tom Morrell and performances by guest dancers as well as members of the regional youth ballet theatre.
  • Michigan Legacy Art Park’s executive director Renee Hintz participated in professional fund development training through the Indiana Fundraising School’s planned giving course hosted by NorthSky Nonprofit Network in March.
  • In Elk Rapids, Art Rapids! continues to grow its Walk of Art.
  • The Charlevoix Historical Society with Bon Ami Filmworks is currently in production to create the Wizard of Boulder Park video documentary about the life and work of architect Earl Young.
  • The Glen Arbor Art Association will feature the Grand Rapids Band, Hip Pocket, for its annual Dune Climb Family Concert on July 15.
  • The Darcy Library of Beulah is offering its Off the Page Writers Series this spring and fall in Benzie County.
  • In the schools, Friends of Fine Arts is helping the Suttons Bay Schools provide art enrichment opportunities for students while the Mancelona Public Schools are bringing Jazz Outreach to its students and community.
  •  Harbor Springs Historical Society is gathering “tip of the mitt” historical and cultural organizations for a day long series of professional development workshops while the Cadillac Art Council, Parallel 45 and Charlevoix Circle of Arts are conducting strategic planning and capacity building sessions.

NorthSky administers the minigrants as the regional regranter for Region 2 – Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties – and is hosting a workshop to learn more about MCACA grants on Friday, April 24, 10:30 am at the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce (202 East Grandview Parkway). For more information about the workshops or MCACA minigrants, contact regrant coordinator Mary Gillett at 231-883-8388 or mgillett03@gmail.com.