Muskegon’s West Michigan Symphony and The Block to receive MCACA Grants
Muskegon, Michigan, Dec. 30, 2014 – The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs has approved 422 grants totaling nearly $9.7 million in awards across the state.
The grants were awarded to organizations in 55 Michigan counties of which Muskegon County garnered six. MCACA stated it received 525 applications for funding, held 22 separate panels and used the services of 107 professionals to determine eligibility for the awards.
West Michigan Symphony, which operates The Block, is listed to receive a $32,000 grant for the Symphony and an additional $16,392 for The Block. The grants were awarded in the operational support category which is earmarked to provide support to the general expenses of operating arts and cultural organizations.
West Michigan Symphony President and CEO, Carla Hill, said “We are beyond thrilled to have received the two grant awards.” She continued, “These grant monies are an important part of continuing our mission to engage our local communities with innovative symphonic and educational programming.”
John Bracey, executive director of the MCACA, stated the grants “…provide access to arts and cultural programing in places and to people that may not have access without the work of their local arts and cultural organizations” and “provide opportunity to our children to learn about life in a full way…”
As one of the few professional regional orchestras in Michigan, West Michigan Symphony has provided arts and cultural programing to its community for 75 years. With eight annual main stage concerts and dozens of educational and outreach activities; the organization’s most recent addition is The Block in downtown Muskegon. The Block hosts many of the Symphony’s educational programs plus a wide range of professional musical performances in its smaller, intimate performance space. The Block also serves as a rental facility for special events.
MCACA grant information can be found online at michiganbusiness.org/community/council-arts-cultural-affairs. For more information about West Michigan Symphony, visit westmichigansymphony.org.
