Ironwood Theatre, DAP awarded grants

IRONWOOD — Grants totaling $58,255 for 2018 were announced Friday for the Ironwood Theatre and Downtown Art Place.

The downtown theater will receive two grants of $17,500 and $29,505, or 70 percent of its request, according to the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs.

DAP will receive an $11,250 grant, or 40 percent of its request, according to the state council.

Ironwood Mayor Annette Burchell said much of the money will go for roof repairs.

Arts groups, “bedrock cultural institutions,” schools and popular festivals around Michigan will share $10.6 million in grants for the 2017-’18 fiscal year, an increase of 10 percent from last year’s state budget allocation.

Funding recipients were approved at a MCACA meeting at the Michigan Historical Museum in Lansing.

“These grants provide vital support for the ongoing cultural development of communities throughout Michigan,” said MCACA Executive Director John Bracey. “We appreciate the support of Gov. Rick Snyder and the legislature for increasing funding to groups and events that inspire cultural pride and appreciation for the heritage of our communities.”

Grants were awarded to 474 recipients from 56 of the state’s 83 counties.

Funds will cover costs associated with operations, projects, capital improvements, arts-in-education residences, services to the field and regional re-granting initiatives.

Recipients include music festivals, art centers, schools, and historical societies, along with art museums and symphonies.

The annual arts grant program attracted 575 applicants.

According to a news release announcing the grants, the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce applied for $13,000, but did not score well enough to receive the funding.

MCACA is an agency within the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the state’s chief marketing arm focusing on business attraction, job creation, building Michigan’s image and fostering community development throughout the state.