November 1 Deadline for MCACA Minigrant Applications

Jackson, Mich. – The Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History (The Ella) announces a Monday, November 1 deadline for the first and only round of Fiscal Year 2011 Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) Minigrant applications.  The Ella serves as a regional regranting agency for the MCACA for Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties.
 

Projects proposed for funding during Round One may be held between February 1, 2011 and September 30, 2011. For Fiscal Year 2011, there will only be one funding period and no organization can receive both a MCACA Grant and a MCACA Minigrant.  Non-profit organizations in Branch, Calhoun, Hillsdale, Jackson and Lenawee counties planning an arts or cultural event during this period are invited to apply for funding.

The MCACA Minigrant Program provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance, on a matching basis, to non-profit organizations for a wide variety of arts activities that offer special opportunities for communities to enjoy and participate in high-quality arts activities.  Decisions are made by a panel of qualified reviewers.

Application packets are available at the Ella Sharp Museum of Art & History office, located at 3225 Fourth Street in Jackson or by emailing creativeconsultingllc@gmail.com.    

 For further information, contact Alison Loveday, Regranting Coordinatorg, Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, at 734/748-6001 or by email at creativeconsultingllc@gmail.com.

Playwrights in an Hour Grant

Center Stage Jackson, Jackson’s community theater, recently received a mini-grant from the Jackson Junior Welfare League, which purchased a new series of theater books for the Jackson District Library.  “Playwrights in an Hour” is a series of 27 slim volumes that are basically “a crash course” in the lives and works of the 27 playwrights represented. Included are the “most produced and studied playwrights in the English language” from Euripides to Shakespeare and from Chekhov and Shaw to August Wilson and Sam Shepherd. Even more contemporary writers like Edward Albee, Sara Ruhl and Theresa Rebeck are covered as well.

Ann Holt, Executive Director of Center Stage Jackson says, “These titles are appropriate for actors, teachers, students, directors, professors, and general theater goers. We are thrilled that the Jackson Junior Welfare League was able to fund the series and that the Jackson District Library partnered with us in making them available to the community.”

VIP Grant Received from Consumers Energy Foundation

This past Saturday the board of Center Stage Jackson met for its annual retreat at the Ella Sharp Museum. Board member Doug Meyers presented President Susan Murphy with a check for $850 from the Consumers Energy Foundation.

The check was part of the Volunteer Investment (VIP) Program recognizing organizations where employees and/or retirees have volunteered during the past 12 months. Doug and Don Mansfield filed the request on behalf of Center Stage!

The grant was doubled as a result of the Foundation's CEEPSACER Program. CEEPSACER (CMS Energy Employees Providing Service Around Children's Essential Resources) was established as part of Consumers Energy's commitment to America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth.

The money will be used to continue, strengthen, and extend the reach of the Youth Theatre program begun two years ago. 81 third through ninth grade students auditioned last week for YT's first musical, Enchanted Sleeping Beauty! Earlier grants allowed Center Stage to lower ticket prices for young people making live theatre more accessible.

VIP Grant Received from Consumers Energy Foundation

On Wednesday evening just before the board and other members of Center Stage Jackson toured the historical Michigan Theatre in downtown Jackson, member Doug Meyers presented President Chris Gorton with a check for $750 from the Consumers Energy Foundation.

The check was part of the Volunteer Investment (VIP) Program recognizing organizations where employees and/or retirees have volunteered during the past 12 months. Doug and Don Mansfield filed the request on behalf of Center Stage!

The grant was doubled as a result of the Foundation's CEEPSACER Program. CEEPSACER (CMS Energy Employees Providing Service Around Children's Essential Resources) was established as part of Consumers Energy's commitment to America's Promise - The Alliance for Youth.

The money will be used to continue, strengthen, and extend the reach of the Youth Theatre program begun this past year. Earlier grants allowed Center Stage to lower ticket prices for young people making live theatre more accessible.