Two Ingham County Arts Organizations Receive High Marks

The Williamston Theatre and the Lansing Art Gallery have been recognized for excellence with scores above 95 on their annual applications for grant funding from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA).

According to the MCACA, these two grant applications were the only ones in Ingham County to achieve a score above 95. Only 25 out of 290 applications scored 95 or higher throughout the state. This high score qualifies the organizations for the highest level of funding awarded in 2017, and participation in an extended grant award track.

"It's a great indicator of how we are doing as a non-profit, and what a good investment our organization is for the greater cultural profile of the state," said Emily Sutton-Smith, the Williamston Theatre's Development Director and one of its co-founders. "What an honor!" said Barb Whitney, Executive Director of the Lansing Art Gallery. "This recognition means a great deal, especially as the awards relate to our artistic and cultural merit as a community-based organization. The extended grant award track will benefit the gallery by providing more resources and allowing us to focus on our mission to showcase Michigan artists."

The Williamston Theatre was founded as a non-profit organization in 2004 by four Michigan theatre professionals. Located in downtown Williamston, the Williamston Theatre's mission is to produce professional theatre that excites and engages our audiences while challenging us all to explore our lives. This mission statement is supported by the following objectives: to be an integral part of the cultural fabric of Michigan; to pursue innovative collaboration in every aspect of our work; to establish a home for Midwest artists; to engage audiences of diverse ages, cultures and economic backgrounds. The Theatre's current production is the classic American play The Nerd, by Larry Shue and directed by John Lepard. Performances run November 17 - December 18, 2016. More information is available on the Theatre's website at www.williamstontheatre.org or by calling (517) 655-SHOW (7469).

Lansing Art Gallery is a nonprofit membership organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code & incorporated in the State of Michigan on September 8, 1965. Lansing Art Gallery is the first permanent art gallery in Lansing, and is Lansing's oldest nonprofit gallery. Lansing Art Gallery provides public awareness, education and enjoyment of the visual arts by promoting the works of Michigan artists. Their upcoming exhibition is their annual Holiday Exhibition, on display November 8 - December 23, 2016. More information, including a virtual tour, is available on the Gallery's website at www.lansingartgallery.org, or by calling (517) 374-6400.