MCACA Minigrant Program
LowellArts is the regional re-granting agency for the following 4B counties: Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, Osceola.
How to Apply
SmartSimple is the new online grant management software for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA).
All grantees will use SmartSimple to apply for MCACA grants. New grantees will need to register their organization and create an organization profile.
SmartSimple Registration Instructions & SmartSimple Profile Instructions are available to download here:
LowellArts support to 4B Grant Applicants includes:
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Answering any questions your organization has regarding your program and/or application
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Grant writing assistance and budgeting consultation / assistance
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Grant program administration and site-visits to funded projects
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Questions or to set-up a consultation phone call, email, or site visit regarding your application
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Contact: Lorain Smalligan, LowellArts Executive Director, , (616) 897-8545.
Sign up to receive email notifications from LowellArts about upcoming MCACA Minigrant deadlines and guidelines.
MCACA MINIGRANTS
Two opportunities are available to address local arts and cultural needs and/or to increase public access to arts and culture.
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Arts Project Minigrants (Round 2 Deadline: January 15, 2021)
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Professional / Organizational Development Minigrants (Deadline has passed)
Who Can Apply for Minigrants
You are able to apply for both the Arts Projects Minigrant and the POD Minigrant.
Eligible Non-profit Organizations include: Service Organizations | Arts Organizations | Parks and Recreational Organizations | Libraries | Professional Associations | Public and Non-Public Schools | Cities, Townships, and Villages | Individual Artists (POD Grants only)
Arts Project Minigrant
Arts Project Minigrants provide up to $4,000 for production, presentation, and creation of arts and culture that promotes public engagement, diverse and excellent art, life-long learning in the arts, and the strengthening or livability of communities through locally developed arts and culture.
Professional / Organizational Development Minigrant (POD)
Professional / Organizational Development Minigrant (POD) provides up to $1,500 to assist non-profit arts and cultural organizations, artists, arts administrators, and arts educators with opportunities that specifically improves their management and/or brings the artist or the arts organization to another level artistically. In addition, the Minigrant POD program provides Michigan and individual Michigan artists/arts administrators/arts professionals a presence at national conferences and workshops.
Deadline to Apply: Arts Project Minigrant Round 2
January 15, 2021 at 5:00pm
MCACA preK-12 School Grants
Two opportunities are available to Michigan preK-12 schools to assist with access to art through transportation and supply funds.
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Arts Equipment & Supplies Grants
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Bus Grants
(Rolling deadline for both of these grants through April 16, 2021)
Who Can Apply for preK-12 School Grants
You are able to apply for both the Arts Equipment & Supplies Grant and the Bus Grant.
Applicants must be accredited Michigan preK-12 educational institutions: Public or Non-Public School | Private School | Home School | School District | Intermediate School District | Regional Educational Service Agency | Accredited Head Start Program
Arts Equipment & Supplies Grant
Arts Equipment & Supplies Grants provide up to $1500 to Michigan preK-12 schools to pay for arts equipment (including repairs of arts equipment) or supplies being used within the classroom/school setting. Michigan preK-12 teachers in any arts discipline may apply for the grant, including; creative writing, film/video, music, visual arts, and theater.
Bus Grant
Bus Grants provide up to $500 to Michigan K-12 schools for the transportation cost of an arts or culture related trip.
Deadline to Apply
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis on-line through Friday, April 16, 2021

The State of Michigan Minigrant Program is a partnership between the MCACA and fifteen regional re-granting agencies throughout the state. The MCACA Minigrants and MCACA preK-12 School Grants are provided by the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs (MCACA). LowellArts administers these grants for the counties in Region 4B.
Region 4B Counties
Barry, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, and Osceola
Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs
The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) strengthens arts and culture in Michigan by increasing its visibility; supporting arts education; encouraging new, creative and innovative works of art; and broadening cultural understanding. A key conduit for arts and cultural information, MCACA is also a source of arts and culture grant funding.
Past 4B Minigrant Awards