To offset drops in funding due to the decline in philanthropic giving, $438,000 in federal stimulus money will preserve jobs at five Grand Rapids arts organizations. All told, the funding will save over 140 jobs across the state.
According to excerpts from the story:
Five Grand Rapids area arts organizations are getting a share of $438,000 in federal economic stimulus money earmarked to save jobs. The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids, Community Circle Theatre, North American Choral Company, Saugatuck Center for the Arts, and VSA Arts of Michigan, Grand Rapids, together are receiving $51,250 that will help preserve jobs at each institution. The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs this afternoon handed out $345,000 from the 2009 American Recovery & Reinvestment Act Another $92,900 in grants, funded by Arts Midwest, was announced on Friday in Lansing for a total of $438,000 in money from federal sources. This one-time funding program is intended to preserve jobs in the non-profit arts sector hurt by recent declines in philanthropic donations and other support, such as interest from investments and endowments. Criteria was weighted according to need and to the job the organization sought to save, particularly if the position "was one that had already been laid off or was about to be laid off," said John Bracey, MCACA executive director. "'Going under' was a factor with some of the organizations as well," he said.
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