Williamston Theatre Receives MCACA Operational Grant

The Williamston Theatre has been awarded a grant of $6,000 from the State of Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). The grant was awarded through the MCACA peer review process and was one of 233 applications to compete for MCACA fiscal year 2012 funding.

“This funding is critical for our operations,” said Williamston Theatre’s Executive Director John Lepard. “We are very grateful to have been selected to receive arts funding this year. Our 2011-2012 season is expected to bring in over 10,000 patrons to the downtown Williamston area.” 

Organizations receiving a MCACA grant award are required to match those funds with other public and private dollars. Local support of the Williamston Theatre 2011-2012 Season includes Cardinal Fabricating, the Williamston True Value Hardware store and ASAP Printing. The Williamston Theatre also receives significant volunteer support from the community.

This grant will support the general operations of the Williamston Theatre for the 2011-2012 Season.  ArtServe Michigan noted in a recently released Cultural Data Report that for each dollar the state of Michigan spends on arts and culture, $51 goes back into the state economy. The Williamston Theatre will create 77 jobs for Michigan theatre professionals over the course of its season. 

The MCACA peer review process allows for each grant application to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state 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. A complete list of grant awards around the state is available by contacting MCACA at (517) 241-4011, or by visiting the MCACA website at www.michiganadvantage.org/arts.

The Williamston Theatre’s current World Premiere of Dead Man’s Shoes, by Michigan playwright Joseph Zettelmaier, will be on stage through February 26. Additional information is available on the Theatre’s website at  www.williamstontheatre.org or by calling (517) 655-7469.