NILES — The newly formed nonprofit, Jacob K. Brown Contemporary Art Museum and Center announced the addition of a Foundation and Grant Consultant to their board and an upcoming fundraiser event.

A fundraising project for JKB is a silent art auction which will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2, at the Judith Racht Gallery in Harbert, Michigan, during the Outsider Art Show.   The museum board is also currently working to finalize an unusual fundraising project that will partner with a well-known auction house in Georgia. 

The immediate financial goal of the JKB Museum is to raise between $2 to $2.5 million for construction of the first phase, the museum and walking trails.  Large and small contributions from the community are gratefully accepted, the nonprofit said.

Also, at a special meeting of the JKB board, Joy Rosynek of Napoleon, Michigan, volunteered to seek and write grant applications for the organization. Chairman of the JKB Board, Jeanne Watson, expressed her gratitude.

“Our organization is fortunate to have attracted the support of Joy Rosynek. She is a consultant who has spent her career obtaining funds for non-profit organizations,” Watson said.

Jan Schrader, the secretary of JKB Board agreed.

“The idea of creating a world-class Contemporary Art Museum in Niles is drawing experts who are willing to volunteer,” Schrader said.

Rosynek was a past board member of the Jackson, Michigan, Civic Theatre, Center Stage, and Jackson Area Community Theatre Foundation. Rosynek is a current member of the Jackson Community Foundation–Teacher Fund. 

Rosynek has a bachelor of science degree from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree from Spring Arbor University. She was the former director of Jackson County Literacy Project and East Jackson Adult Education.  In the past, she has received grants from the U.S. Department of Education, Michigan Department of Commerce, Herrick Foundation, and Jackson Community Foundation to name a few.

Vice Chair Judith Racht noted how important Rosynek’s experience will be to the nonprofit’s mission.

“Joy’s credentials are especially impressive in the performing arts and education arenas,” Racht said.  Rosynek is currently working for grants for the JKB Museum but once the museum is constructed she will begin to seek funds for the second phase, a performing arts building.