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The Erickson Center for the Arts announces grants from MCACA totaling $37,623The Erickson Center for the Arts (ECA) has been awarded two grants from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA). The two grants, one from the MCACA Operational Support program ($14,863) and the other from the Facilities Improvement Program ($22,750), total $37,623. The Operational Support grant will offset the cost of salaries for the Center’s full-time administrative assistant and part-time bookkeeper. The Capital Improvement grant funds will be utilized, along with ECA funds, to pave the parking lot and driveways at the Erickson Center.The MCACA uses a peer-review mechanism to evaluate all grant applications. A panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and culture professionals decides the relative merits of all grant applications. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through state legislative appropriations, and all other visitors and residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences. Tom Linscheid, ECA Board President, expressed gratitude to the MCACA for its support and the confidence in our ongoing development as an Arts Center reflected by these awards. Linscheid also thanked the Board, staff and volunteers who made these grants possible. The ECA had a landmark year in 2012 with the opening of our 4,500 square foot Arts & Education Level of the Erickson Center in June 2012. This represents a major step forward for the organization with the addition of classrooms, studio, gallery and administrative facilities. The Waterfront Gallery and Gifts is now exhibiting and selling the work of over 20 local artists in this facility. MCACA’s past and present support has made it possible to employ a fulltime administrative assistant, allowing the ECA to open the Gallery to the public Monday through Friday. The Capital Improvement Project funds will be used to improve our facilities by paving the approach roads and parking lot at the Center. This represents the completion of the final phase of the Erickson Center facilities development plan. Organizations receiving a MCACA grant award are required to match the funds provided. The ECA will use monies raised in the community and from program/ fund raisers to match the awards. Active arts and cultural centers contribute significantly to the economic vitality of the community. ArtServe Michigan’s Creative State Michigan report recently revealed that for every dollar the State of Michigan spends in support of arts and cultural activities, $51 is pumped into the state’s economy (www.creativestatemi.artservemichigan.org). Over 12,000 residents and visitors attended ECA sponsored events or other community events held at the Center this past year. 100% of paid artists who performed are from Michigan and many are from the Upper Peninsula. While difficult to measure, the economic impact of the Erickson Center on the Curtis community is significant.For additional information on ECA, please go to www.ericksoncenter.org.###