Michigan Council for the Arts minigrants benefit dozens of organizations each year. Designed to extend state funding for the arts into every count
y 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.
Sparks & Starts 