The Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC), operating under the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), offers grant programs to enhance arts and culture access throughout the state. MACC’s mission is rooted in promoting the civic, educational, and economic value of arts and culture in Michigan. It envisions a state where creative expression is celebrated and accessible to all. Through two distinct grant programs—Mission Support and Experience Support—the Council distributes funding tailored to the mission and structure of different organizations. Although both programs are currently closed, details for the upcoming FY26 cycle are expected after Michigan’s state budget is finalized, typically by late summer.
The Mission Support Grant Program targets 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations whose primary charitable focus is arts and culture, as determined by their IRS-assigned NTEE code. Applicants may seek funding in multiple areas under one application: operational support, facility enhancement and equipment purchases, professional and organizational development, transportation, and arts education programming. This program provides comprehensive institutional support to organizations embedded in the state’s cultural landscape.
By contrast, the Experience Support Grant Program is intended for entities that integrate arts and culture into broader missions. Eligible applicants include municipalities, tribal entities, educational institutions, and non-arts-focused nonprofits. Like the Mission Support program, applicants can request funding across categories including project support, equipment purchases, development initiatives, and transportation. This approach encourages cross-sector engagement with the arts.
The MACC grant process begins with guideline development, involving stakeholder input and council review. Applicants must use the SmartSimple online platform and meet strict eligibility criteria. The grant review process is compliance-based, employing a binary system to determine whether applicants meet funding requirements. MACC staff oversees funding plans with consideration for compliance, geographic diversity, and program allocation, and the Council approves these plans at formal meetings.
The FY26 grant cycle has not yet opened due to legislative delays, with applications expected to be submitted between March 1 and December 31, 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to prepare by updating required registrations and certifications. Notifications and updates will be shared via MACC’s newsletter, “The Field Report.” Final reports for FY25 grantees were due by October 30, 2025, with submission instructions provided via SmartSimple.
For assistance or questions, the MEDC can be contacted at their Lansing headquarters or by phone. Applicants should monitor the MACC website and social media for FY26 announcements and access to guidelines, deadlines, and application portals once released.
