State of Michigan FY23 Budget Includes More Money for Arts & Culture

While Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the state Legislature have celebrated the passage of a balanced, bipartisan budget for Fiscal Year 2023; artists, administrators and the arts and cultural community can celebrate the increase in budget allocation to support Michigan’s creative economy.

“I am so grateful to the Legislature for working with me to pass a balanced, bipartisan state budget that delivers on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to working families,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer in July. “This is our fourth bipartisan, fiscally-responsible budget that does not raise taxes by a dime and pays down our debt. The budget will invest in every student and classroom, protect public health and public safety, expand mental health resources, grow Michigan’s economy and workforce, and empower working families and communities. I look forward to working with the Legislature and furthering this spirit of collaboration to invest the billions of dollars in additional revenue we still have on the table to offer real relief to families right now, especially as they face rising prices on groceries, gas, and other everyday expenses. I will work with anyone to put Michiganders first and get this done.”

The FY23 budget totals $76 billion, including $11 million for the Michigan Arts & Culture Council (formerly known as the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs). The FY23 allocation is a $2M increase in the council’s base funding.

The budget also includes $850,000 for the Michigan Historical Center to provide historical and cultural education programming throughout the state park system, a $500,000 increase for state aid to libraries, and $100,000 for a one-time appropriation for Michigan’s Poet Laureate.

A number of arts and cultural organizations are also included in the FY23 budget through Michigan Enhancement Grants, those include the following allocations:

·        Jim Crow Museum | $1,000,000

·        Detroit Historical Museum | $4,000,000

·        Flint Children’s Museum | $500,000

·        Potter Park Zoo | $2,000,000

·        Charles Wright Museum | $6,000,000

·        Binder Park Zoo | $800,000

·        Grand Rapids Museum | $11,000,000

·        Tibbits Theater | $300,000

·        Edsel Ford House | $1,800,000

·        Inskter Library | $1,200,000

·        Grand Rapids Amphitheatre | $30,000,000

·        Jackson Theatre | $2,750,000