LANSING— The Michigan Humanities Council has been awarded two grants, totaling $85,000 from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). The grant funds will assist with the funding of two programs produced in partnership between the Humanities Council and MCACA: the Arts & Humanities Touring Program and Poetry Out Loud.
“We have a unique partnership with MCACA in providing two exceptional programs to students and communities around the state,” said Katie Wolf, Humanities Council executive director.
“By partnering, we are able to increase the reach and impact of MCACA’s investment by up to six times for every state tax dollar invested. These funds go directly to community nonprofits and schools to ensure students and residents throughout our state have access to high-quality cultural experiences.
“The Arts & Humanities Touring Program also leverages local revenue for communities from visitors who travel to see the hundreds of Michigan performers annually funded through the Touring grants.
It’s an excellent model of state government working smarter to meet an ever-increasing demand,”
Wolf concluded.
The Arts & Humanities Touring Program includes a directory representing some of the state’s most-talented performing and visual artists and humanities presenters. Michigan non-profits use the directory of adjudicated performers to host public programming in their communities. The Humanities Council also awards grants to non-profits to help offset costs associated with hiring performers.
Poetry Out Loud is a national recitation competition for high school students. Participating high schools host school competitions, where students perform poetry recitation. The winners of each school perform at the statewide championship, scheduled for March 9 and 10, 2012. The state champion then advances to the national Poetry Out Loud championship in Washington, D.C., which is scheduled for early May.
About the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs serves to encourage, develop and facilitate an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan. It is Michigan’s affiliate of the National Endowment for the Arts. The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs was created in 1991 by Executive Order as the state agency that administers arts and cultural grant appropriations, sets arts and cultural goals, and establishes and facilitates communication networks. For more information, visit www.michiganadvantage.org/arts or call (517) 241-4011.
About the Michigan Humanities Council
The Michigan Humanities Council is a private, nonprofit organization created to foster a better understanding of each other and our state through local cultural, historical and literary experiences for all. The Council was founded in 1974 and is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities and individual donors. For more information on future programs, upcoming grant opportunities or how you can support these efforts, please visit www.michiganhumanities.org or call (517) 372-7770. |
