Meadow Brook Theatre Receives Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs Grant

Meadow Brook Theatre (MBT) was recently awarded a grant from the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs (MCACA) to support a collaborative project led by a team of MBT's young professionals. The grant is a program of the New Leaders Arts Council of Michigan (NLACM), a young leaders advisory council of MCACA. NLACM grants are offered to support projects or collaborations focusing on the retention and community engagement of young people, 14-35 years old, in Michigan through arts and culture.

This is the first grant Meadow Brook Theatre has received that focuses on developing young professionals. The supported learning collaborative includes projects that yield long term benefits to the theatre, like streamlining MBT's website, creating a comprehensive marketing strategy for the theatre's 50th Anniversary and developing resources to assist with fundraising. The team includes Casey Hibbert, Webmaster & Box Office Associate; LeeAnn Kostur, Group Sales & Administrative Assistant; Katy Olsen, Development Director; and Paige Vanzo, Marketing & Communications Coordinator. An intern will also be hired to lead a portion of the project throughout the summer and MBT is accepting applications through May 30. More information can be found www.mbtheatre.com.

"We are honored to have been chosen as a grant recipient by MCACA and the NLACM," said Katy Olsen, Development Director. "This grant is another example of the innovative ways MCACA is investing in the arts and young professionals throughout the State of Michigan."

MCACA grant awards are required to match funds dollar-for-dollar with private donations. Meadow Brook Theatre has relied on strong community support since opening almost 50 years ago. As a non-profit organization, donations from individuals, corporations and foundations provide resources for actors and artisans, costumes, sets and outreach programs. The Theatre receives support from patrons and community members, as well as the Meadow Brook Theatre Guild, Rochester Junior Woman's Club, the Kresge Foundation, the Erb Family Foundation, the Meadowbrook Woman's Club, Meadowbrook Insurance and others.