Arts Council of Greater Lansing announces round one of grant recipients

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 16 — The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is teaming up with the city to announce the recipients of the first round of FY2021 City of Lansing Arts and Culture Arts Projects Grants. The grants are worth $40,000 total and each round awards two local arts and cultural organizations. There were two rounds of Arts Project Grants this year; applications for the second round are due in January.

"Arts and culture tells the story of our diverse and creative community and is a key component of our city's identity," said Mayor Andy Schor in a press release. “These things will be especially important as we move into 2021. The arts will have a starring role in reinvigorating our neighborhoods and making our city one that is welcoming to visitors and new residents."

The grants aim to create community-driven artistic projects that utilize Lansing’s assets, inspiration and potential, in order to contribute to a “sense of place” feeling among residents, businesses and visitors. The grants prioritize projects and programs that make arts and culture more accessible.

First-round grant recipients that will debut in 2021 include improvements to the Lansing Art Gallery & Education Center’s ARTpath, a winding trail of public art that follows the Lansing River Trail, and Lansing 5:01’s Dam Jam, a music festival along the river that features a lineup of independent Michigan bands.

“The City of Lansing's Arts and Culture grant program provides accessible arts experiences for our residents and draws visitors to our region and our downtown,” said Meghan Martin, Arts Council executive director, in a press release.

The deadline to submit an application for the second round of grants is 11:59 p.m., Jan. 15, 2021. For more information and grant guidelines visit Lansingarts.org.