2007 MCACA Minigrant APPLICATIONS

 

The Minigrant Program is a grants-giving partnership financed by the State of Michigan through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs [MCACA].  It is administered by 19 regional regranting agencies. Minigrants provide up to $4,000 for locally developed, high quality arts or cultural projects which are special opportunities to address local arts/cultural needs and increase public access to arts and cultural activities.  Minigrants support a broad range of artistic expression from all cultures through projects that preserve, produce, or present the traditional or contemporary arts.

The Northeast Michigan Arts Council is responsible for awarding Minigrants on a matching basis to any non-profit organization, including, but not limited to, service organizations, arts organizations, parks and recreation organizations, professional associations, public and non-public schools, libraries, cities, townships and villages within Region 7 that encompasses the following four counties:  Arenac, Bay, Midland and Saginaw.  Two of these counties are designated as “underserved,” or as areas in which there is minimal exposure to the arts.

*If the first of these months fall on weekends or holidays, the deadline will be the next business day. Check with Regranting Agency (989/846-9331) to confirm deadline and office hours.

Two Minigrant Workshops are scheduled for Thursday, May 18, 2006:  1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Northeast Art Center in Standish. Subject matter will deal with how to write an effective Minigrant. The workshop will cover eligibility requirements, review criteria and all aspects of the application, peer review, the grant allocation process and Final Reporting. It is strongly recommended that interested applicants attend one of these workshops. If you would like to schedule one of these workshops in your area, please let us know and we will try to accommodate you.  For more information contact the Arts Council at 989/846-9331 or contact us through this Website.  You can also download the 2007 Minigrant Application & Guidelines from this Website.

Other MCACA GRANT PROGRAMS

Arts and Learning (A&L) Is a broad-based arts education program that supports hands-on arts education based projects for learners of all ages. Quality arts education activities, conducted by artists of high quality and ability, in schools or communities, as well as in the arts education partnerships between schools and community-based organizations are funded. In this way, the Council increases arts instruction by engaging the various community resources available in a single effort to make the arts a basic to education. There are seven funding categories including: Arts and Humanities, Arts and Technology, Inter-generational Collaboration, Cultural Exchange, Professional Development, Arts Education Initiatives and Underserved.

Applicants must be incorporated, tax exempt, organizations including: public or non-public schools, school districts, intermediate school districts, universities, arts organizations, arts education providers, cities, counties, villages, townships, service organizations and arts agencies. Funding up to $15,000 is available. Request amounts may not exceed 1/3 of the projects total cost. 2:1 match of grant funds including a cash match of 50% of the requested amount is required.

Arts Projects - Supports projects and activities that provide quality arts and cultural programming to citizens across the state. The program funds arts projects, conducted by non-profit organizations, that utilize the talents and creativity of professional artists in all arts disciplines, to advance the creative, cultural and economic environment of the state. Projects are divided into nine (9) components: Dance, Design, Literature, Media, Multidisciplinary, Museums, Music, Theatre, and Visual Arts. Applicants must be incorporated in the State of Michigan as a tax-exempt organization. Request limit is $15,000 with a 2:1 match of grant funds including a cash match of 50%.

Capital Improvements for Cities, Townships and Villages: - Any Michigan municipality (city, county, township, or village) may request funding for projects that include capital improvements of community organizations, arts and cultural facilities and publicly-owned facilities; excluding stadiums used primarily for professional sporting events. Non-profit organizations may benefit as a sub-grantee of their municipality. Priority is given to projects with strong evidence of prior planning and eminent completion. Applicants can request a maximum of $50,000. A 1:1 dollar for dollar match is required, including 50% of that match being in cash.

Cultural and History Projects  - This program supports the development of regional destination clusters with a high-quality compelling maritime art/cultural/heritage product that entices families or visitors to stay in an area for at least two nights; supports the endeavors that create greater public understanding and appreciation for the importance of maritime arts, heritage and culture to a community's or region's aesthetic, economic and social growth; supports the development of best practices including management and business skills for individuals, groups and organizations engaged in cultural/heritage tourism; supports collaborative cultural/heritage tourism activities designed to spur local economies, generate measurable economic and public benefit, fully engage local and creative talent and cultural/heritage resources in economic enterprise, maintain the highest quality standards and reach as broad and diverse an audience as possibly. Funding of up to $15,000 is available with a 1:1 match required, 50% of which must be matched in cash

Local Arts Agencies Services Program - Provides funding for organizations that deliver services to cultural groups and individual artists in all disciplines, who foster the long-term development of a community or region. Locals program applicants must be community-based, non-profit, officially recognized arts councils, commissions, societies or organizations that are publicly accountable to provide financial and/or service support for arts and culture in the entire community which it serves. In addition, funding can also be provided for projects that support and compliment the work of local arts agencies through the provision of services and technical assistance. This program is intended to support those projects that are often unique to local arts agencies and services providers including, but not limited to: calendars of events, coordinated bookings, cultural planning, workshops and conferences, board development, technical services, coordinated management of facilities, etc. Funding up to $20,000 per year is available. Request amounts may not exceed one-third of the project's total cost. The matching requirement is 2:1 (minimum) with a minimum cash match of 50% of the requested amount.

Regional Regranting (Minigrants) - The Minigrant program is a grants-giving partnership funded by the State of Michigan through MCACA and administered by agencies in each of the nineteen regions of the state. Minigrants provide up to $4,000, on a matching basis, for locally developed, high quality arts and cultural projects, which are special opportunities to address local arts and cultural needs and increase public access to arts and cultural activities. (Please refer above to the Region 7 Minigrant Program description and deadlines for Arenac, Bay, Midland and Saginaw Counties.)

Rural Arts and Culture Program - This program funds arts and cultural projects in 39 targeted Michigan counties that have been identified as rural and underserved by the Council. The goal of the program is to strengthen and showcase the unique arts and culture of Michigan's rural communities through community based collaborations relating to community or regional arts, history and culture. Eligible counties are Alcona, Antrim, Baraga, Barry, Benzie, Branch, Charlevoix, Clare, Dickinson, Eaton, Gladwin, Hillsdale, Huron, Ionia, Keweenaw, Lapeer, Lake, Leelanau, Livingston, Luce, Mackinac, Mason, Mecosta, Menominee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montcalm, Montmorency, Newaygo, Oceana, Ogemaw, Osceola, Oscoda, Otsego, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, Tuscola, Van Buren, and Wexford. Grants are available ranging from $4,000 to $10,000. This project is coordinated by the Michigan State University Museum. Please contact Julie Avery and Katie Large, project staff, at 517-432-3358 for assistance, or click on THE RURAL ARTS AND CULTURE PROGRAM.

For further information click on  Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

ARENAC COUNTY FUND

There are two grant application deadlines per year: April 15 or October 15. Organizations recognized as non-profit organizations under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service code are eligible for consideration. Schools and government agencies are also eligible. Grant Applications are available at www.bayfoundation.org or by contacting Program Officer Ashley Morse at 989-893-4438.

The Arenac County Fund is a permanent endowment, receiving funds from a wide range of donors. The Foundation awards grants to non-profit organizations in Arenac County with a focus on the evolving needs of the area. Grant application projects must directly benefit the residents of the greater Arenac County area. These grants are intended to be a flexible opportunity to meet community needs requiring a rapid response.  Grants are not awarded to individuals.