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. Since then, the Arts Council has
been strengthening 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) are 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 is 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 has provided
financial and strategic support to its organization members.
Additionally, it has 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.
Today the Arts Council
is transitioning to a short-lived granting institution,
spending out its assets, and planning to close in June 2012.
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 is providing 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 can give back to
the organizations and artists that paid Arts Council membership
dues and invested in us." |
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Caroline
Older, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Email Caroline
616-459-2787 x11 |
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Angela
De Luca Placencia
Program Manager
Email Angela
616-459-2787 x12 |
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Board of Trustees
Executive Committee
• Dan Carter, President
• Susan K. Jones, Immediate
Past President
• Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk,
Vice President
• Paul Hense, Treasurer
• Debora Kiekover, Secretary
Board Members
Catherine Ehrenberger
Heidi Lyon
José Reyna
Cheri Stanton
Chris Van Antwerp
H. James Williams
Art Advisors
Fred Bivins
Marjorie Kuipers
Bruce Tinker
Advisory Board
Marjorie Gell
Doyle Hayes
David Hooker
Michael Puerner
Craig Tiggleman
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