SEPTEMBER 11, 1997 - Governor John Engler today announced the award of more than $21 million in arts and cultural grants to numerous organizations throughout Michigan.

The competitive grants were chosen by the 15-member bipartisan Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, a branch of the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS).

"These awards will benefit an enormous number of diverse art and cultural organizations, projects and services, which, in turn, will enhance the quality of life of all Michigan residents," Engler said.

Grant applications were evaluated through a competitive, peer-panel review process, which made recommendations to the Arts Council. Awards were based on geographic distribution, diversity, balance among funding programs, offerings to under served communities, and delivery of quality programming and services to all Michigan residents.

All grants fall into the following 10 categories:

• Anchor Organization Program - funds professionally directed arts and cultural groups for delivery of quality programming on a regional or state wide basis, such as art museums, zoos, orchestras and music education camps.

• Arts Organization Development Program - funds professional organizations to obtain increased financial support,administrative stability and expanded delivery of services.

• Local, Regional or State wide Services Program- funds projects and services of community-based organizations to sustain, improve and expand arts and cultural activities in their communities.

• Arts and Cultural Projects for Cities, Townships and Villages -provides one time funding assistance for regional arts and cultural projects.

• Partnerships Program - allows several local, state and regional organizations to re grant state dollars at the local level and provide programs and services to Art Council clients.

• Artists in School Program - helps K-12 schools obtain services of professional arts during the 1997-98 school year to strengthen the school curricula and increase access to arts and cultural activities.

• Arts and Learning Program - led by professional artists, this program supports quality arts education activities in schools and communities, and in partnership with schools and community-based organizations.

• Arts Projects Program - funds arts producers, presenters and non-arts organizations in all arts disciplines to advance the creative, cultural and economic environment of the state.

• Regional Re granting Program - funds certain nonprofit organizations that administer the program on behalf of the Arts council to support cultural projects in 16 state wide regions.

• Discretionary Program - funds nonprofit organizations to implement Arts Council initiatives that do not fall in the previous categories.

"In addition to encouraging community revitalization, economic growth,job creation and tourism, these 277 grant awards will provide educational opportunities and outreach programming," said CIS Director Kathleen Wilbur.

The grants support projects and programs for fiscal year 1997, which starts Oct. 1, 1997 and ends Sept. 30, 1998. They also require matching funds from other public and private sources.

Read more Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services press releases.