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.
Today, the Arts Council
continues to provide financial and strategic support to its
organization members. Additionally, it provides its
artist members with an exhibition venue, networking opportunities,
and professional support. As an advocate for the arts, the
Arts Council represents its organizations and artist members
on both a city- and state-wide level. |
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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
Susan K. Jones, President
Dan Carter, Vice President
Paul Hense, Treasurer
Debora Kiekover, Secretary
Board Members
Catherine Ehrenberger
Katherine Fore
Oswaldo Garces
Heidi Lyon
José Reyna
Cheri Stanton
Chris Van Antwerp
Jo-Ann Van Reeuwyk
Art Advisors
Marjorie Kuipers
Bruce Tinker
Advisory Board
Marjorie Gell
Doyle Hayes
David Hooker
Michael Puerner
Craig Tiggleman
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