An unexpected shock rippled through our arts and culture community recently with the release of the Michigan Arts & Culture Council’s 2025 funding plan. Earlier this year, MACC announced a significant overhaul of its grant program, driven by a sincere commitment to support as many initiatives as possible in an equitable manner. One of the most exciting changes was the introduction of a streamlined application, replacing a cumbersome format that had posed challenges for many small nonprofits.
With any new system, there’s a chance for hiccups, so when the awards were announced a few weeks ago, a collective sigh of relief accompanied the high-fives from grantseekers across the region as they celebrated their granted funding. However, for a few, the news was a surprise gut punch — a glaring $0 where they expected to see thousands. What may have been a small application mistake instantly had them wondering what’s next.
This unexpected turn not only necessitates a swift pivot in their fund development strategies but also encourages us all to reflect on our vital role in nurturing the cultural fabric of our region.
Fuel for the arts: You
It’s easy to assume cultural organizations are mostly sustained by government programs — federal, state, or local. But the reality is quite different. Government grants only cover a small fraction of the region’s art and culture needs. The true fuel for the arts in our region comes from people like you who believe creativity is worth an investment, and who understand art isn’t just something we enjoy; it is something we build together.
Do you have fond memories of taking your kids to the Children’s Museum or Raven Hill? Have you ever gotten chills when a singer hits a high note at Great Lakes Center for the Arts? Maybe you’ve enjoyed a date night immersed in a story at your local nonprofit movie theater. These experiences don’t just happen. They are nurtured and sustained by people who care enough to give. And it’s not just big donations that make a difference — far from it. It’s mostly the small, everyday acts of generosity that keep the arts thriving.
Participation is key
Pete Seeger once said, “I’ve never sung anywhere without giving the people listening a chance to join in. Participation, that’s what’s gonna save the human race.” In northwest Michigan, it’s not just songs that need your voice — it’s the future of our culture, our creativity, and our community. The arts invite us to participate.
When you donate to the arts, you’re stepping onto the stage. You’re helping write the next act in our region’s creative future. The artistic expressions that have moved you — made you laugh or cry or see the world through someone else’s eyes — weren’t brought to you solely by tax dollars. You have had those experiences because people chose to participate with the understanding that they were investing in the cultural identity of our place.
Your ripple in our ecosystem
Your investment in our creative community extends far beyond city limits, sustaining cultural life in rural areas and remote towns. From school arts programs to traveling exhibitions, your participation creates opportunities where they might not otherwise exist. It’s often overlooked how vital this support is for those without regular access to creative spaces. Rural communities gain significantly from the cultural opportunities your generosity provides, enhancing the vibrancy of our entire region.
It’s easy to take the magic of the arts for granted, assuming someone else will keep the lights on and the doors open. Yet, without your involvement, the creative ecosystem falls out of balance. Participation isn’t passive — it’s a declaration that you care about your community and its future.
Public funding can be unpredictable, but when a community recognizes the arts as its pulse, the heart stays healthy. So, become a member of your museum or arts center; pledge a recurring monthly donation; sponsor an event; or dig a little deeper with your year-end gift. You’re not just an audience member — you’re a participant. And participation? That’s what’s gonna save us.