Tibbits receives MCACA grant awards
COLDWATER – Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council, Inc. received two grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) for the 2017-2018 funding cycle. The awards include an Operational Support Grant as well as a Capital Improvement Grant.
Tibbits has received an Operation Support grant each year since the MCACA implemented the program in 2012. The award this year is $21,000 which is a $1500 decrease from the year before. The grant includes funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Capital Improvement grant of $20,000 will go towards the theatre’s boiler replacement project. The grant represents approximately 25 percent of the initial project estimates. Tibbits needs to replace its boilers before the weather changes this fall. The work has begun while fundraising for the project continues.
Both MCACA grants were awarded through the peer review process and were among 575 applications competing for fiscal year 2018 funding. The MCACA uses a peer review process which allows each grant application to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and culture professionals. The process ensures the taxpayers, who support arts funding through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors or residents in Michigan, will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences. The two grants to Tibbits represent the only funding from the MCACA for Branch County this year.
According to Christine Delaney, Tibbits Executive Director, “We are extremely thankful for the support. The process is very competitive and it is always nice to have affirmation of the work we do bringing arts and cultural programming to our community.”
Tibbits Opera House built in 1882 is owned and operated by the Tibbits Opera Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in 1962. Its mission is “to engage all in arts, culture, education and the preservation of the historic Opera House.” To support the theatre’s general operations or specifically the boiler project go on line to Tibbits.org, stop at the Tibbits offices at 93 W. Chicago St., Coldwater 9-5 Mon. through Fri., or call 517.278.6029.
Release Date: 10/7/2017
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