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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula January 31, 2002 Press Releases © 2002 Rep. Rich Brown

Arts funding increased for Western U.P.

LANSING -- The Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs announces increased funding for regranting in region 13, the six counties of the Western Upper Peninsula. Due to growth in applications requesting funding, allocations have been raised to $58,200 for arts and culture projects in Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, Ontonagon, Iron and Gogebic counties.

"I am pleased that the western U.P. has been able to use this grant funding to help develop numerous projects throughout the area, in our schools and communities," said Rep. Rich Brown, D-Bessemer.

Brown noted these grants provide up to $4,000 for locally developed, quality arts and culture projects which offer opportunities to address local needs and increase public access to arts and culture. Regranting funds support a broad range of artistic expression from all cultures through projects that preserve, produce or present traditional and contemporary arts. 

The Copper Country Community Arts Council (CCCAC) is the region 13 administrator for the regranting program of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) funding visual and performing arts projects in the six counties of the Western Upper Peninsula: Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, Ontonagon, Gogebic and Iron.

Susan Burack, UP/Rural Arts Coordinator for the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies was pleased with the news of funding increases.

"At a time when state budgets are being cut, it is gratifying that regranting funds have been increased," Burack said. "This is an indication of sensitivity on the part of the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs to the needs of grass roots arts and culture."

Burack noted about 50 percent of the regranting funds for the six counties of the western UP are awarded to Houghton/Keweenaw.

Additionally, this fiscal year, the Council awarded $246,300 to Houghton/Keweenaw to the following organizations:

• Calumet Theatre $21,400
• Charter Township of Calumet  $43,500
• Copper Country Community Arts Council $14,300
• Copper Country Community Arts Council re-granting admin. $11,600
• Copper Country Community Arts Council re-granting grants $58,200
• Copper Country Community Arts Council $18,600
• Copper Country Suzuki Assoc $21,500
• MTU Keweenaw Symphony $21,500
• Pine Mountain Music Festival $47,700

Projects funded for cycles I and II, fiscal year 2002 include:

• CLK Schools $2,350 Keweenaw Light
• Michigan Tech $4,000 St Paul Orchestra
• Native Outreach, MTU $3,500 Buffy Sainte Marie Concert
• Ironwood Schools $2,500 Great Beginnings
• Ironwood Schools $3,000 Kid Speak II
• Houghton County $2,000 Ice Gallery
• Jeffers High School $3,500 Visiting Artist Series
• L'Anse High School $ 600 Barks & Roots Basketry
• Elm River School $1,220 From Llamas to Life
• Stanton Township School $2,000 Artists in Residence
• St Sebastian School $1,000 The Joy of Painting
• Calumet Theatre $2,000 Wood & Strings Puppet 
• Copper Country ISD $1,500 All School Musical
• Hancock High School $1,800 Magic Poetry Band
• Lake Linden DDA $2,000 Little Gem Music Series
• Covington Township $3,200 Finnish Music Festival
• Crystal Falls Contemporary Center $3,000 Art Garden
• Fortune Lake Camp $2,968 Performances

A total of $18,262 remains to be awarded for the third funding cycle. The deadline for the third granting cycle, June - Sept, is February 1. Applications and assistance with grant writing are available at the Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930. Contact Susan Burack, Coordinator, Regranting at 906-482-2333 or email: sburack@up.net.

Regranting dollars, matched by cash or in kind services, can be used for many types of arts activities such as exhibits, readings, performances, workshops, broadcasts, artist residencies, consultancies, commissions, restorations, festivals, pow wows, conferences, seminars, video and film productions and screenings, publications, and arts activities for students.

Any nonprofit organization or government body including service organizations, public schools, cities, townships, etc., from the six counties may apply. Applications are evaluated by a panel that looks for projects demonstrating artistic merit, sound planning and management and community service. Geographic, minority, underserved populations and a variety of arts disciplines are considered when determining awards.

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