COLDWATER – The Tibbits Opera Foundation and Arts Council has received two grants.

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs has announced their awards for 2020-2021, and two have been selected for the Tibbits Opera Foundation. One is an Operational Support Grant and the other is a Capital Improvement Grant. Tibbits has received an Operational Support grant each year since the MCACA implemented the program in 2012. This year’s award of $15,000 represents a $3000
decrease from the year before. The grant includes funding from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Capital Improvement grant of $63,000 will go towards upgrades to the theatre’s sound and theatrical equipment. The project requires a dollar-for-dollar match.

Tibbits Executive Director Christine Delaney says they are grateful for both of the grants. She says arts organizations like Tibbits play a vital role for their communities. Delaney says the grant process is very competitive and it is always nice to have affirmation of the work they are doing for their community.

Both MCACA grants were awarded through the peer review process and were among 597 applications competing for fiscal year 2021 funding. Through the review process grant applications were evaluated and recommendations made to the MCACA Governor’s Council. The two grants to Tibbits represent the only funding from MCACA for Branch County this year.