Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Supports Arts and Culture Through $36,535 in Minigrants
LANSING, December 23, 2013-The Arts Council of Greater Lansing, regional regranting administrators for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Minigrant Program, is proud to announce $36,535 in funds have been awarded for 2014.The funds will be granted through MCACA’s state-wide program, supporting arts and cultural events taking place between Jan. 1 and Sept. 30, 2014.
The Arts Council, who oversees the MCACA regional regranting funding for arts and cultural projects in Ingham, Eaton, Clinton and Shiawasee, notes that the grants help support and grow the arts in the region. “We are so excited for all of the grantees,” says Council Program Manager Barb Whitney. “These grants offer opportunities to address local arts and cultural needs as well as increase public access to arts and culture, which is an incredibly valuable asset for our area.”
The Minigrant program funds both Arts Projects and Professional and Organizational Development grants. “Arts Project Minigrants provide funding for locally-developed, high-quality arts and cultural projects, that are free or low cost to area residents,” says Whitney. “They allow non-profit organizations the opportunity to grow arts access and appreciation, which is so important to our community.” The Professional and Organizational Development Minigrants assist non-profit organizations, administrators and professional artists, supporting unique experiences such as attending conferences, workshops and seminars or hiring short-term consultants.
Whitney notes that the benefits of the grants are innumerable for Lansing. “Arts and cultural programming and strong cultural organizations help define our communities as dynamic places to live, work and visit, which is great for our city and its residents.”
The 2014 Minigrant recipients include:
Arts Projects Minigrants:
Cristo Rey Community Center will provide “Drama at Cristo Rey,” a series of after school classes on theatrical writing and performance for sixth through ninth graders. This ten-week process will take place at CRCC between March and May 2014. It will be guided by Williamston Theatre professionals and consist of writing exercises with a focus on the joy of creation and collaboration.
Holt Community Arts Council will provide “Music in the Garden” a series of four free 90-minute outdoor concerts featuring diverse musicians and genres, to be held in the Veteran Memorial Gardens in July 2014.
Meridian Community Band will present the 19th annual Red Cedar Festival of Community Bands, a one-day event allowing participating bands to perform a brief concert followed by a clinic with a performance clinician. The event will take place free to audience members on Feb. 22, 2014 at Okemos High School and will offer a wide variety of music from a range of bands from across Mich.
The Lansing Concert Band will present “Young Person’s Introduction to the Band,” consisting of two hour-long concerts for mid-Mich. elementary school students. Concerts will commence on March 26, 2014 at the Wharton and Charlotte Performing Arts Centers. Students will also engage in listening and drawing activities with the opportunity to submit artwork for display on-screen during the concert.
The Summer Solstice Jazz Festival will be held in downtown East Lansing, June 20 – 21, 2014, and is free of charge. The festival features high-quality national, regional and local jazz artists, as well as youth and community education.
Community Circle Players will present eight performances of the 2012 revised version of “Godspell” May 29 – June 8, 2014. This Broadway musical, written by John Michael-Tebelak with music by Stephen Schwarz, will take place at Riverwalk Theatre.
Grand Ledge Area District Library will present “Summer Reading Program,” which will provide seven performances to enhance learning experiences for children, teens and adults. The program will run mid-June through August, combining reading self-discovery with learning and group activities.
REO Town Commercial Association will present the “Spirit of Reo,” which includes the creation and installation of a large mural to be mounted on the north side of 1314 S. Washington Ave. in historic REO Town. Painted by Tony Hendrick, Lansing muralist, the mural is scheduled for installation the first week of June, 2014 and will be the focal point for the July, 2014 Reo Town homecoming celebration, sponsored by Reo Club of America.
Professional and Organizational Development Minigrants:
Brenda Austin will attend the “Master Class” in composition through the Handbell Musicians of America, between Jan. 31 and March 3, 2014. Brenda will work in group settings and one-on-one with a master composer to complete a new composition and hear the composition played by a local handbell choir. The course is limited to six composers.
Lansing Art Gallery will hire a consultant to conduct a Strategic Visioning Workshop prior to June 30, 2014, convening key organizational leadership including, board members, staff and volunteers. The group will work to re-focus on mission and create an environment for stronger service delivery.
Jane Reiter will attend Tangle University 2014 in Portland, Maine, April 25-27, 2014. Reiter, who teaches the Zentangle® method, will further her creative growth by studying with nationally-recognized instructors in the teaching method.
Sistrum will use funds to support chorus member attendance at the Sister Singers Network Festival, held at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana from July 23 – July 27, 2014.
Pamela Timmons will attend the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference in Milwaukee, Wisc., March 19 – 20, 2014. Timmons will learn new artistic skills, network with other artists and experience conference exhibitions. She will then share her experience with the Lansing-area pottery community.
Williamston Theatre artistic director and artistic associate will attend the 2014 Theatre Communications Group (TCG) annual conference in San Diego where they will participate in the national conversation about the evolution of the art form of theatre. Activities will take place June 1 – June 30, 2014.
The MCACA Minigrant Program provides financial assistance on a matching basis to non-profit organizations that address community need for arts and cultural programming. A qualified peer-review panel makes decisions among submitted applications. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing has administered MCACA Minigrants regionally since the inception of the program in 1986.
Founded in 1965, the Arts Council of Greater Lansing is a non-profit organization whose mission is to lead, advocate for, and advance arts and culture in the capital region. For more information, visitwww.www.lansingarts.org.