The Field Report is a quarterly newsletter highlighting current trends in arts and culture, MACC staff and board features, and other info of interest to our statewide clients.
 MACC’s Creative Aging Initiative
Throughout 2022, MACC has been conducting Creative Aging (CA) Listening Sessions in partnership with our 14 Regional Regranting Partners to get a better understanding of what CA work is currently being done and by whom, what are barriers to the work, and what can MACC, as a state-wide agency, do to support/facilitate this work . This work was made possible by a grant provided by the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies in partnership with E.A. Michelson Philanthropy.
Throughout our discussions, we consistently heard that transportation was one of the biggest barriers to a creative aging experience. With this information, MACC worked with two organization to support their transportation needs through discretionary grants. One is highlighted below.
Newaygo County Public Art Bus Tour
TrueNorth’s Community Connections program builds social circles and creates meaningful shared learning, cultural, & physically active experiences to improve lives and reduce social isolation in Newaygo County. TrueNorth worked with the Newaygo County Council for the Arts – Artsplace and used the newly developed Newaygo County Art & Culture Map to provide a free bus tour for participants to view several art installations across the county. In addition to the stops, an artist who created one of the pieces spoke and expressed that she would love the chance to share more of her process with participants at a future date. Overall, the event was meaningful to members of the community and all were grateful for MACC support.
 Committed to the Making of Art
For 90 years, the Flint Institute of Arts, located in the city of Flint’s Cultural Center campus, has been committed to the making of art available, approachable, and accessible to all for nearly 100 years. The FIA is the third largest museum with a community art school in the country and notes attendance exceeding 160,000 annually. The organization contributes to the region’s arts and cultural environment via visiting guests, audiences, and artists. In addition, 96 full/part-time employees, as well as focus on the hiring of local contractors equates into funds remaining within the community. Just one of the many arts and cultural organizations in the state of Michigan with a positive impact on local economies.
 Poetry Out Loud Registration Now Open
Poetry Out Loud is a national poetry recitation competition for high school students, overseen by Michigan Humanities. By encouraging youth to learn about great poetry through memorization and performance, students can master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. The program and all materials are provided to each partner at no cost.
Each year, participating partners host their own competitions and select a student to represent their school at the state finals. The state champion advances to the national finals in Washington, D.C. and competes for a $20,000 college scholarship.
Registration is now open for schools interested in taking part in Poetry Out Loud. Registration closes December 2. Find out more about the program requirements, how to participate, and how to register your school at the Michigan Humanities website.
Creativity Has the Power to Inspire and Unite
With a history that spans more than 35 years, Arts Midwest believes that creativity has the power to inspire and unite humanity. Based in Minneapolis, they work to grow, gather, and invest in creative organizations and communities throughout the nine-state region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. One way to engage with Arts Midwest is through their GIG (Grow, Invest, Gather) Fund, this fund supports in-person and virtual activities with an artists. Applications are due October 5. Learn more at https://www.artsmidwest.org/
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ADA & ACCESSIBILITY
Recent Fiscal Year 2023 Operational Support applicants completed and uploaded a Section 504 Self-Evaluation Workbook in their application. The 504 Self-Evaluation Workbook is a requirement for National Endowment for the Arts funding and ensures programs are accessible to guests and employees. The process of self-evaluating an organization’s staff, programming, and facilities assists in an organization’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Although the 504 Self-Evaluation Workbook is not a requirement for all MACC grant programs, identifying an ADA 504 Coordinator for each application is. A 504 Coordinator is the person from an applicant/organization that assists in assuring compliance with the ADA. Lastly, while the ADA and Section 504 are both civil rights acts for persons with disabilities, the ADA applies to many organizations in the country and Section 504 is for entities receiving federal funds.
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MACC on the Road
MACC Council Member Anessa Kramer attended the Opening Ceremony of the Motown Museum Community Plaza and Hitsville Next Facility on August 8. Upon attending the event, Kramer said, “It is amazing to see the historical significance of Motown recognized in this improved physical space. What a magical night watching Motown royalty and dignitaries, as well as children and young adults served by Motown programming, share the stage.”
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Fun Fact:
Did you know that 57,462 people volunteered at arts and cultural organizations last year including 5,497 people serving on their boards.
This collection of data represents 433 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, that have also applied for MCACA funding, for FY2021.*
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 MACC FY23 Grant Award Announcement
MACC is excited to be making our FY23 grant awards announcement this week. Please make plans to join us virtually via Zoom (information below) or in person on Friday September 16 beginning at 1 pm.
The grant award announcement, in conjunction with MACC’s quarterly council meeting, will take place at the Air Zoo Aerospace & Science Museum (6151 Portage Rd., Portage, MI 49002). The meeting is open and accessible to the public – no RSVP necessary.
Agenda includes, but is not limited to:
- FY23 Grant Announcement
- MACC Committee Reports
- Services to the Field Reports
Those organizations awarded an FY23 grant will receive a formal contract emailed to them via the SmartSimple system after the September 16 council meeting announcing their grant award and next steps. The full list of grant awards will be made available on the MACC website directly following the grant award announcement and council meeting. Attendance at the meeting is not required and will not impact grant awards.
MACC September 2022 Council Meeting & Grant Award Announcement
Zoom meeting information
Join on your computer or mobile app
Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87874515068
Meeting ID: 878 7451 5068
And as an added bonus, the Air Zoo will provide free admission for the day to anyone attending our MACC FY23 Grant Award Announcement meeting in person. General admission includes access to both campuses of the Air Zoo. The main campus Flight Innovation Center houses the fabled SR-71 Blackbird, an iconic collection of World War 2 Aircraft, a state-of-the-art Missions Theatre, exciting theme park rides and flight simulators, and the Kittyhawk Cafe. The Flight Discovery Center is home to the Air Zoo's restoration team, where guests can see the work they do restoring aircraft recovered from Lake Michigan up close and personal! The FDC is also home to their coveted new F-117 Nighthawk. So make plans to come to the Air Zoo a little early (or stick around after our Council meeting), to enjoy this special chance to immerse yourself in this Michigan arts and culture treasure. Simply tell them you're there with MACC!
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