U.P. Arts and Culture Alliance awarded $50,000 for local projects

What’s happening: The Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance (UPACA) has secured two National Endowment for the Arts grants totaling $50,000 to champion the arts as a vital economic engine for the region. A $30,000 grant will launch a regional mini-grant program to fund local cultural projects, while an additional $20,000 will fuel a study on how artistic activity drives job creation and business growth. Together, these initiatives aim to provide both the direct investment and the data-driven insights necessary to prove that a vibrant creative sector is essential infrastructure for a thriving economy.

What is UPACA: The Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance is a regional nonprofit that connects and supports artists, cultural organizations and communities across the Upper Peninsula. The group advocates for the role of arts and culture in economic and community development by promoting collaboration, expanding access to funding opportunities provides networking, professional development and data tracking.

What they’re saying: “These awards recognize and reinforce what communities across the Upper Peninsula already intuitively know: arts and culture are essential to economic vitality,” said Philip Rice, who is executive director of the alliance. “This support allows us to both invest in creative work happening right now and collect the data needed to shape future growth.”

What’s next: Information on how to apply for funding will be released by the alliance in the upcoming months. Grants require match funds from non-federal sources, such as state and local support or private funding.