Press Release

Tibbits Opera House Benefits from MCACA Grants

Date: 12/17/07

COLDWATER, MI—

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) has awarded the City of Coldwater, on behalf of Tibbits Opera House, a capital improvement grant in the amount of $36,500 to assist Tibbits with its ongoing renovations of the historic, 125-year-old structure in downtown Coldwater. Additionally, Tibbits Opera House Foundation has received a $10,900 grant for its 2008 Professional Summer Theatre season.

The grants awarded to Tibbits through the MCACA Peer Review Process were selected out of nearly 300 applications for the fiscal year 2008.

Christine Delaney, Executive Director of Tibbits, would like to thank all those involved in securing these grants. She went on to say, “I’m thrilled with both of the awards and greatly appreciate the City’s support. They made the application on our behalf and really understand how improving Tibbits Opera House benefits the entire community. The Summer Theatre grant will be a huge help. Grant funding along with sponsorship support is essential to keeping the summer program alive.” 

Christine Hilton, City Planner, commented “The City of Coldwater should be extremely pleased to have been awarded this capital improvement grant, especially since only half of the applications were approved. In addition Coldwater was one of only four communities to receive the highest grant amount this funding season which speaks to the importance of the project.”

The MCACA Peer Review process allows for each grant application to be competitively considered by a panel of instate and out-of-state arts and culture professionals. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences.

MCACA has been appropriated $7.7 million to award to arts and cultural organizations across Michigan for fiscal year 2008. A complete list of grant awards around the state is available by visiting the MCACA website at www.michigan.gov/arts. To learn more about Tibbits Opera House visit www.tibbits.org.