Washtenaw County Organizations & Artists Awarded More Than $1 Million in State Arts Grants

The Arts Alliance announced that Washtenaw County arts and cultural organizations and artists are to receive more than $1 million in grants from the Michigan Council for Art and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) for the FY2020 funding cycle. MCACA announced $9.6 million in grants statewide at its council meeting. Washtenaw County received the second highest funding allocation in the state following Wayne County ($1.8M).

“It’s clear to see that the State of Michigan has made a major investment in arts and culture through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs,” said Deb Polich, The Arts Alliance president/CEO. “The grants received by The Arts Alliance and our colleagues directly impact the quality of life, as well as education, economy and tourism throughout the state. And we see that impact every day here in Washtenaw County.”

The Arts Alliance received a general operating support grant to invest in its work on behalf of the arts + creative industries throughout Washtenaw County. As the MCACA administrator for the Region 9 Regranting program, The Arts Alliance also received $41,300 to redistribute to applicants in Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe and Washtenaw counties. 

These grants are made in two categories: Arts & Cultural Projects and Professional & Organizational Development. The applications are reviewed by panels comprised of artists, residents and organizational leaders from Region 9. The panels carefully considered each application based on criteria set by MCACA. Funding for FY2020 is awarded to 21 of 45 applicants.

Arts & Cultural GrantsCountyCityAward
Hillsdale County SchoolsHillsdaleHillsdale$2,000
Jackson District LibraryJacksonJackson$3,200
Adrian District LibraryLenaweeAdrian$2,300
City of Tecumseh DDALenaweeTecumseh       $3,200
Livingston Arts CouncilLivingstonHowell$2,000
AksharaWashtenaw  Ann Arbor$2,200
Ann Arbor Public SchoolsWashtenawAnn Arbor$2,300
Copper Color Mountain ArtsWashtenawAnn Arbor$3,200
Jodie Randolph Dance CompanyWashtenawAnn Arbor$2,200
WonderFool ProductionsWashtenawAnn Arbor$3,200
St. James’ EpiscopalWashtenawDexter$1,000
Erickson ElementaryWashtenawYpsilanti$3,200
Neighborhood Theatre GroupWashtenawYpsilanti$2,000
Pro/Org DevelopmentCountyCityAward
Ella Sharp MuseumJacksonJackson$1,250
Adrian Symphony OrchestraLenaweeAdrian$1,075
Community Music School
of Ann Arbor
Washtenaw       Ann Arbor     $1,275
Kerrytown Concert HouseWashtenawAnn Arbor$1,000
The ArkWashtenawAnn Arbor$1,150
Saline Arts and CultureWashtenawSaline$1,300
Juliet HinelyWashtenawYpsilanti$1,100
Voices in HarmonyWashtenawYpsilanti$1,150