Art Reach, CMU receive grants to fund arts

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Arts may flourish in mid-Michigan after grants were awarded to Central Michigan University and Art Reach of Mid Michigan.

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs approved $2 million in grants for nonprofit arts, cultural organizations and educational institutions.

State Rep. Kevin Cotter, R-Mount Pleasant announced the grants.

“Unfortunately, when times are down, the arts are the first thing to get cuts,”  Cotter said.

Seven grants were awarded in Isabella and Midland counties to Art Reach, CMU, Michigan Jazz Trail and Michigan Center for the Arts.

According to a press release, Central Michigan University received two grants totaling $10,000.

Art Reach received three grants, totaling $21,000. Of the money received, $10,200 will be re-granted, while the excess will be used for Art Reach’s operating expenses.

“Arts help maintain the quality of life we enjoy in our community,” Cotter said.

Art Reach Executive Director Kathy Hill said they are one of 18 re-granting agencies. Art Reach will use $10,200 of the state funds and disperse it to nonprofits that applied to enhance culture in the four counties Art Reach serves: Isabella, Gratiot, Clare and Gladwin.

Three organizations applied, two of which were awarded grants.

“Through this re-granting, culturally-deprived areas are able to access the arts,” Hill said.

By re-granting the funds, Art Reach plays a part in speaking artistic dollars, she said.

“In my five and a half years here, we have always been a re-granting agency for the state,” Hill said.

The Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs aims to provide grants for arts and cultural organizations, cities and other nonprofit organizations to further cultivate artistic, creative and cultural development in Michigan.

Hill said $1,990 is still available by application through Art Reach.

Those that apply must be a nonprofit organization seeking to further cultivate the arts.

“We appreciate having this program and funding small arts organizations in rural areas,” Hill said.

These funds will be re-granted through Art Reach, with applications due Feb. 1. Application can be found through Art Reach’s website.

Pere Marquette District Library and the Chippewa River District Library will provide summer reading programs through grants applied for through Art Reach of Mid Michigan.

Legislative Director for Rep. Cotter, Matthew Golden did not know how CMU planned to use the grants.