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.
The Cabin Fever Winter Concert Series: When Civic Engagement Met Doo-Wop in Allegan County
Over the course of six Sundays from 2:00-4:00pm from February and ending in April, the First Presbyterian Church of Allegan hosted The Cabin Fever Winter Concert Series. The concerts were free to the public and served refreshments. Band genres included oldies, blues, classic rock, doo wop, bluegrass with a little sprinkle of country. The concerts were posted on YouTube for people to enjoy who could not attend in person.
The audience reached beyond the typical church attendees with an average of 67 attendees at each concert representing roughly 32 cities. One gentleman traveled each week from Indiana. One concert goer noted that the free concert provided much needed joy, positivity and opportunities to socialize while another at 70 years old appreciated the opportunity to see live music in Allegan County without going to a bar. Leah Ward, the Project Director, noted that the series activated the community beyond the regular Sunday service crowd and became an event not to be missed.
When Organizations and Municipalities Work Together - an economic love story
With titles such as, “Project Chill” and “Project ADA Barriers – You’re Goin Down,” the City of Grand Blanc has shown what can be accomplished when organizations and municipalities work together. Grand Blanc-McFarlen Library involves, and is supported by, the City, Grand Blanc Township, and the Genesee District Library. In the past two grant periods, along with true community efforts, the library has been able to upgrade to new energy efficient air handling units. In addition, the parking lot has been repaved, wayfinding signage added, and new sliding doors. The new lot and doors not only increase guest and staff safety, but more importantly, the building has become even more ADA accessible by removing previous barriers.
Three Grants Available Now for K-12 Schools
Schools and educators, this is for you! MACC is offering Round Two funding for THIS school year for programs to support K-12 schools. Three grant programs are open for applications:
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Arts in Education Grant - schools can apply for up to $20,000 to support arts education projects that have a hands-on learning component for students.
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Equipment & Supplies Grant - schools can apply for up to $1500 to purchase arts equipment, supplies, or to repair arts equipment that will be used in the school/classroom.
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Bus Grant - schools can apply for up to $500 to cover the transportation costs for an arts and culture related field trip.
The deadline to apply for Round Two funding is this Sunday January 15, 2023, and projects must take place between March 1 - September 30, 2023. Find the grant guidelines for all programs listed above on the MACC website.
MAEIA - Serving the Michigan Education Sector
The Michigan Arts Education Instruction and Assessment Project (MAEIA) supports Michigan school districts, buildings, educators, and the public in implementing a high quality arts education program in dance, music, theatre, and visual arts for all K-12 students. Data that results from using the MAEIA tools can be used for assessing student learning or for program and instructional improvement.
The MAEIA project is the result of a collaboration between the Michigan Department of Education, the Michigan Assessment Consortium (MAC), and Data Recognition Corporation (DRC). It is supported in part by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC). Approximately 1,000 professional educators from all over the state of Michigan and from all levels of education have collaborated in developing the assessment items and other resources.
ADA & Accessibility:
What exactly is the ADA and Section 504?
ADA is an acronym for The Americans with Disabilities Act. The act prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities in everyday activities via federal civil rights law. The ADA was signed into law July 26, 1990, with civil rights law providing similar protections against discrimination to persons with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 made discrimination on basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion illegal.
Section 504 is a federal law for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities in programs and activities that receive Federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). As a requirement of the National Endowment for the Arts, awardees receiving federal funding must ensure arts and cultural programming is accessible, or make reasonable accommodations, to persons with disabilities.
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MACC on the Road
This past October, MACC Staff Member Alex Flannery visited Gaylord Area Council for the Arts (GACA) to met with Executive Director Lisa Marie Tobin and six of its board members for a tour and great conversation. As the region’s arts and culture hub, GACA offers a wide range of programs and services to its community. Regular programming conducted in its downtown Gaylord location includes art workshops/classes, performances, exhibits, and a popular art market which sells locally made artwork.
CAGA is also involved in several community-wide projects, working with community leaders from multiple sectors to bring art, culture, and creativity to the decision-making table when tackling issues facing the community. One such project currently in the works is “Art in the Alley” which will transform a 3-block blighted alleyway in downtown Gaylord into a bright, colorful gathering space complete with murals, sculptures, lighting, greenery, and public seating. In addition to beautifying the area and contributing to downtown Gaylord's rising status as a thriving social district, the finished project will serve to encourage people to visit downtown and take advantage of area restaurants and businesses located in the area. The project is a partnership between GACA and the City of Gaylord, Gaylord Chamber of Commerce, DDA, and several local business owners.
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MACC Quarterly Council Meeting - January 13
MACC's first council meeting of 2023 is THIS Friday, January 13, and we'd love to see you (in person or virtually). The council meeting will take place at the Flint Public Library (1026 East Kearsley St., Flint, MI 48503) beginning at 1pm. Meetings are free and open to the public. If you have questions, please contact Program Manager Chad Swan-Badgero at badgeroc@michigan.org.
If you're unable to attend in person, please feel free to join us virtually at the information below.
MACC Council Meeting Zoom Information
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87535168236?pwd=REhER0ZsV0wxR1djb3gxNkQ5V2hIUT09
Meeting ID: 875 3516 8236
Passcode: 381760
One tap mobile
+13017158592,,87535168236#,,,,*381760# US (Washington DC)
+13052241968,,87535168236#,,,,*381760# US
Grants/Opportunities Available
Arts Education Grant Deadline - apply for up to three grants open to K-12 schools facilitating arts and culture related learning. (See story above).
Native Launchpad program – a three-year direct funding and career development opportunity for U.S.-based Indigenous performing artists, valued at $40,000.
Michigan State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) - The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is hiring a State Historic Preservation Officer for a full-time position.
Mackinac State Historic Parks Accepting Applications for Artist-in-Residence Program - designed to promote and encourage the creation of artistic works inspired by the history, natural wonders, and beauty of Mackinac Island.
Progressive Art Studio Collective - PASC, an art studio and exhibitions program for disabled adults in the Detroit Area, is seeking a new art advisor to join their staff.
Ten communities selected for 2023-24 Community Development Fellowship - for fifteen months fellows work on a variety of projects to expand organizational capacity, increase local collaboration, and remove barriers to development.
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