Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Strategic Plan 2006 - 2010

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) was created in 1991 by Executive Order. The non-partisan Council consists of 15 members appointed by the Governor. The Michigan House fiscal agency defines the role of MCACA as the state agency that administers arts and cultural grants appropriations, sets arts and cultural goals, establishes/facilitates communication networks and expands and develops funding resources for arts and cultural activities.

Creation of the Council was accomplished through the joint efforts of many Michigan citizens and was initially proposed during the 1991 Michigan Arts Summit - a meeting of public officials, arts patrons, artists, business and industry leaders and arts supporters convened to resolve divergent philosophies regarding funding of the arts and culture in Michigan. Summit participants reached agreement on the comprehensive role and importance of arts and culture in the daily lives of Michigan citizens and affirmed the need for creation of a strong independent entity in state government to encourage the arts and to carry out important government functions with regard to the arts. In addition, the Michigan Arts Summit participants determined that the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs should accomplish the following:

• Stimulate and encourage the performing and creative arts throughout the state;
• Provide leadership and advice to the Governor and Legislature;
• Expand the availability of the arts to the public;
• Encourage the arts as an integral part of the state's education system;
• Strengthen local arts organizations; and
• Study and recommend alternative methods of financing the arts and cultural activities in the state.

On August 26, 1992, MCACA adopted the Michigan Arts Plan as a proactive response to a challenging environment and the expressed needs of citizens, organizations and communities statewide. The plan focused on delivery of services and presented a future vision for arts and culture in Michigan. Further, the plan presented a new direction for the Council to broaden the base of support for arts and culture, strengthen and expand resources, promote best practices, and help re-position the State of Michigan as a national and international leader in fostering innovation, creativity and excellence.  Since 1992, the Council and its many grant recipients and stakeholders have achieved a stunning level of success. Since its inception, MCACA has:

• increased public access to quality arts and cultural resources statewide
• implemented successful grants distribution strategies resulting in equitable arts and cultural
• funding and/or services delivery to the state's 83 counties
• established innovative grant programs specifically designed to make quality arts and cultural programs and services available to underserved communities and wider audiences
• developed unique partnerships and collaborations with non-governmental agencies, such as the Local Arts Development and Technical Assistance partnership with the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies, to leverage state funding, assist arts and cultural services delivery, assist professional and program development of volunteer-based organizations, and expand resources distribution
• improved communication with the public and the industry through effective use of technology; supporting creation of arts and cultural Web sites, online curricula, etc.
• established an international initiative to facilitate cultural exchange and to assist Michigan's arts and cultural resources in reaching new markets; established relationships with Austria, the Bahamas, Canada and South Africa
• assisted grant recipient organizations in learning how to successfully meet the special needs of children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities
• established an improved peer review process for grant application review which improved arts and cultural product quality, cultural tourism venues
• demonstrated the role and economic value of arts and culture to Michigan's economy through a variety of initiatives and partnerships

The fundamental mission, values and goals that were articulated in 1992 remain relevant today, and the role of arts and culture in the quality of life in Michigan is broadly recognized. However, today MCACA finds itself struggling with Michigan's slow to improve economy that impacts every participant in our sector. MCACA has the smallest staff in its history and the fewest grant dollars to award since 1995. Yet the need is still there. MCACA annually receives over 300 applications for funding in its seven programs representing over $13.5 million in requests. By careful implementation of the 2006-2010 Strategic Plan, MCACA believes we will not only weather this storm, we will emerge from it on more stable ground.

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