Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) today approved $126,179 in grants to 44 organizations participating in the New Leaders Program. The grants support projects and collaborations that focus on community engagement of 14-to-35-year-old Michigan residents through arts and culture.

The program is directed by the New Leaders Arts Council of Michigan, an MCACA advisory group that includes students and professionals at early career stages in the arts-and-culture field. The aim is to engage younger residents while incentivizing those working in the arts to recommit to the further development of Michigan’s culture.

“These grants reflect the growth happening in this sector, but it also shows the gap between the higher demand for funding to support the arts and the current funding level,” said MCACA Executive Director John Bracey. “The field is vigorous, new organizations are emerging, small organizations are growing and the state’s largest organizations are expanding their reach.”

MCACA grants provide funding for mentorships, development of current projects, pursuit of projects with the goal of improving communities through culture, and explorations of how participation in the arts can be empowering.

“The grant awards support an atmosphere of entrepreneurship and creativity while encouraging the leadership and retention of young people in their communities,” said Bracey.

The New Leaders Program grants are the final outlay for MCACA’s current fiscal year. Overall, MCACA designated $9.7 million (from general fund appropriation) for 502 awards. In total, MCACA received 631 grant applications that requested more than $18 million in funding.

Learn more about the New Leaders Arts Council of Michigan by visiting their Facebook page, click here to access it.

Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs encourages, develops and facilitates an enriched environment of artistic, creative and cultural activity in Michigan.

The office is located within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s chief business attraction and marketing arm that administers programs and performs due diligence on behalf of the Michigan Strategic Fund.

Source: MEDC