Minigrants Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs Minigrants are now being administered by Lowell Arts. For questions regarding the Minigrant Program, please contact Lorain Smalligan at Lowell Arts. Arts Education Grants Pending funding, Arts Education Grants might be available at the Grand Rapids Art Museum. For questions regarding the availability of Arts Education Grants, please contact Christopher Bruce at GRAM.   Culture Passes Information about the Culture Pass Program is available at Culture Pass GR. Culture Passes are available for purchase at Experience Grand Rapids. The History of the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids was founded in 1967 as a United Arts Fund that raised money for and offered marketing support to the large arts organizations in Grand Rapids. In 1969, Festival was developed as a fundraiser for the Arts Council and the nonprofits it supported. Until its closing in 2012, the Arts Council strengthened the cultural fabric of greater Grand Rapids through financial and strategic support and advocacy efforts. In 1991, the Arts Council became a regional administrator for the state of Michigan minigrant programs. Every year funds from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) were distributed to local community-based nonprofits in seven counties (Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo and Osceola). In 2002 the Arts Council and Festival formally separated into two distinct 501(c)3s with separate missions and boards of trustees. While the two entities had supported one another for three decades, each grew and developed into its own independent organization. Also in 2002, the Arts Council began the Arts Education Funding Pool. The Funding Pool's mission was to provide arts educators in the Kent Intermediate School District with resources above and beyond their standard school budgets in order to help children of all ages and abilities gain greater exposure to the arts. The Arts Council provided financial and strategic support to its members. Additionally, it provided its artist members with an exhibition venue, networking opportunities, and professional support. As an advocate for the arts, the Arts Council represented its organizations and artist members on both a city- and state-wide level. In the spring of 2012, the Arts Council transitioned to a short-lived granting institution, spent out its assets, and closed its doors. Board president, Dan Carter, notes, "While I am sorry to say good-bye to the institution which has played an important role in the history of arts and culture in Grand Rapids, I am proud that the board and staff of the Arts Council recognized and addressed its challenges." In its final months, the Arts Council provided Operating Support Grants and Individual Artists Grants to its members. Executive director, Caroline Older, noted that "we are pleased that in the Arts Council’s final incarnation we gave back to the organizations and artists that paid Arts Council membership dues and invested in us over the years."