Arts and culture organizations across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are celebrating a major investment from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council (MACC), which has awarded $1.3 million in Fiscal Year 2026 funding to support creative programs, cultural institutions, and community initiatives throughout the region.
This infusion of resources will strengthen organizations that preserve local heritage, expand arts access, and energize community life in rural towns, waterfront cities, and island communities across the Upper Peninsula.
Statewide, MACC distributed $12 million in total grants during the FY26 cycle, making the Upper Peninsula’s share especially notable. The region received approximately 10 percent of all state funding despite being home to only about 3 percent of Michigan’s population, a powerful indicator that arts and culture remain essential infrastructure in the Upper Peninsula.
On a per capita basis, this represents a level of investment that exceeds much of the rest of the state and affirms the cultural vitality and strong advocacy presence of Upper Peninsula communities.
MACC’s FY26 grant cycle drew 677 applications requesting nearly $24.6 million statewide and reflects the second year of the Council’s updated grant program, which was refined in partnership with the Office of Continuous Improvement to better serve Michigan’s creative sector. Award notifications are now being issued, and official award letters are expected soon.
Funding reached every corner of the Upper Peninsula, supporting organizations large and small that deliver arts education, exhibitions, performances, festivals, public art, history programming, and creative workforce initiatives.
Marquette County led the region with $354,874 in awards, followed by Delta County with $229,804, Houghton County with $207,255, and Gogebic County with $206,945. Chippewa County organizations received $133,600, while Dickinson County secured $52,225 and Mackinac County received $38,525. Additional awards included $29,413 in Ontonagon County, $20,000 in Schoolcraft County, $19,200 in Iron County, $16,060 in Menominee County, and $4,800 in Alger County.
Together, these investments form a broad foundation for creative activity that touches residents and visitors alike.
Across the Upper Peninsula, arts and culture organizations serve as economic drivers and community anchors. They animate downtowns, preserve regional stories, support tourism, and create welcoming spaces for learning and connection. In many communities, these organizations also provide essential youth programming, lifelong learning opportunities, and partnerships that bridge education, economic development, and civic life. MACC’s support enables this work to continue and expand, ensuring that creativity remains a visible and valued part of everyday life.
This year’s funding also highlights the resilience and collaboration that define the region’s creative sector. Upper Peninsula organizations frequently operate across large geographic distances, limited infrastructure, and small population bases, yet they continue to deliver high quality programming and meaningful public engagement. State investment recognizes both the challenges and the strengths of this landscape and affirms that rural and remote communities deserve robust cultural resources.
For more information about MACC and to see the complete list of organizations funded, visit michigan.gov/arts
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