Mount Clemens Artspace Project to Receive $750,000 Grant
In 2019, the Anton Art Center and City of Mount Clemens partnered together to kickoff the Artspace project by conducting a preliminary feasibility study for an affordable housing and creative space in Mount Clemens. Three years later, on March 11, 2022, Congressman Andy Levin announced ten local community projects will receive federal funding from his request made to the Appropriations Committee. Of the $8,882,125 total funding for the ten projects, the Mount Clemens Artspace project will receive $750,000 for all remaining pre-development work.
“I am really proud that President Biden will sign all ten of my community project funding requests into law. I’m so inspired by the community leaders I spoke to in Oakland and Macomb Counties who advocated for much-needed resources in our district. As your voice in Congress, it is my honor to make sure that the needs of our community are met, especially the most in need neighborhoods, and that means ensuring that no one is left behind,” said Congressman Levin. All ten community projects were selected and submitted by Congressman Levin’s office last year, in 2021.
“There is a growing need for affordable housing and arts workspace or studio space in Macomb County, and we hope Mount Clemens can help fill that need.” shares Phil Gilchrist, Executive Director of the Anton Art Center, “The Anton Art Center has been working diligently over the years to grow the arts community and become the pillar for arts in Macomb County. As a result, Mount Clemens and communities across Macomb County have been able to engage with more arts experiences including public art, art events, and even classes, enriching peoples’ lives. The Artspace project not only builds a home and space for artists, but will also bring more opportunities to expand the art community in Macomb County.”
The Artspace project will fund affordable housing and creative workspace accommodations in Mount Clemens, Michigan. To tackle this large project, the Anton Art Center, the City of Mount Clemens, Mount Clemens Downtown Development Authority, and Macomb County have all partnered together to make Artspace possible. A market survey supports the need for affordable living and work space in Mount Clemens, which this project will provide. It will offer targeted assistance to those working in the creative and visual arts who need both affordable housing and a work space to create. Well-documented public forums and input over the course of two years has demonstrated the value of supporting this project; a feasibility study and market survey may be viewed on the Anton Art Center website.
To learn more about the Artspace project in Mount Clemens, visit www.theartcenter.org/artspace-info. Additionally, for more information about the Anton Art Center, visit www.theartcenter.org or call 586-469-8666. The Anton Art Center is a registered nonprofit organization located in Mount Clemens, Michigan, with a mission to enrich and inspire people of all ages through the arts. The Anton Art Center is currently open Tuesday through Saturday 10am-5pm and on Sundays in March from 11am-3pm; admission is free and open to the public. Metered lot and street parking is available; free and on weekends.
The Anton Art Center (AAC) was founded in 1969 in the historic Carnegie Library building in walkable downtown Mount Clemens, Michigan. The AAC aims to build an open community around creative expression by presenting a wide array of programming to appeal to diverse audiences, providing support for the arts and becoming a focal point for arts programming, and working towards inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in all that we do to support our mission to enrich and inspire people of all ages through the arts.
The funders of the Anton Art Center include the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, the Kresge Foundation, Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
