By Staff
LANSING - Dr. William Anderson, director of the Michigan Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL), Friday announced the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) awarded $9.8 million to a variety of arts and cultural projects around the state for fiscal year 2006.
The 301 grant awards - for projects in 64 Michigan counties, including $13,300 to the Dowagiac Dogwood Fine Arts Festival for Cass County - were approved Friday afternoon by the council.
In addition to supporting Michigan's major institutions, the grants will help provide funding for such projects as a family night open studio in the Upper Peninsula; the renovation of a vacant auto dealership into a community arts center; an education program focusing on traditional African dance; and free summer concerts and festivals.
The council received 354 applications, requesting nearly $34 million for fiscal year 2006.
All grant applications were evaluated through a process of peer review. Panels, consisting of arts and cultural professionals from throughout the state, evaluated and judged each application based on published review criteria. This process resulted in recommendations for funding consideration to the council. Projects funded by MCACA must be completed within fiscal year 2006, which began Oct. 1, 2005, and ends Sept. 30, 2006.
In determining grant awards, the 15 appointed members of the council consider panel recommendations, geographic distribution, diversity, balance among funding programs, under-served communities, access and delivery of quality programming and services to citizens and communities.
MCACA is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Library of Michigan, the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Film Office and the Michigan Historical Center.