About MACC

As the state government's lead agency charged with developing arts and culture policy and grant-making, MACC is made up of up to 15 members who are appointed by the Governor, and also has an internal staff at MEDC.

Council Members:

  • Gretchen Gonzales Davidson, Chair, Birmingham
  • Darryl Brown, St. Ignace
  • Cezanne Charles, Detroit
  • Julie Egan, Detroit
  • Nheena Ittner, Marquette
  • Joori Jung, Detroit
  • Anessa Kramer, Bloomfield Hills
  • Deborah Mikula, Howell
  • Jessica Care Moore, Detroit
  • Amy Spadafore, Saginaw
  • Ara Topouzian, Farmington Hills
  • Esther Triggs, Interlochen
  • Rhonda Welsh, Troy
  • Germaine Williams, Detroit
  • Kate Yancho, Kalamazoo

Council Staff:

Since 1966, the State of Michigan has recognized the value and importance of a vibrant arts and cultural sector.  The Michigan Arts and Culture Council was established to maintain and nurture its cultural and artistic riches.  The Council reaffirms and believes in our enabling doctrine:

  • Arts and culture enrich our lives and are vital to the well-being of our society.
  • Arts and culture bring important benefits to Michigan’s economy, to our efforts to attract business to this state and to our tourism industry.
  • Arts education is a critical part of the education of our youth in that it opens new worlds to them, encourages creativity and presents opportunities for careers.

Vision
The Council envisions a Michigan where communities celebrate creative expression and every person has access to, or participates in, arts and cultural experiences.

Mission
The Council guides the distribution of resources to ensure that Michigan communities thrive from the civic, economic, and educational benefits of arts and culture.

Beliefs
The Council believes that government has a responsibility to ensure public access to arts and culture through the state, and because of that belief:

  1. The Council’s work will be rooted in equity, diversity, access and inclusion because all should have the opportunity to engage and feel welcome.
  2. The Council’s work to champion arts, culture and creative expression is public and belongs to every person who lives and visits our state.
  3. The Council’s work will be transparent, fair and ethical.
  4. The Council will work in the spirit of collaboration and build strong alliances; greater impact is made when we work together.

While arts and culture are woven throughout all aspects of life, the Council will focus its primary efforts on four core activities:

  1. Civic Engagement
  2. Economic Development
  3. Education
  4. Council Engagement

Within each activity there are five strategic action areas which unify and advance the work of the Council while best representing the field:

  1. Funding
  2. Leadership
  3. Messaging
  4. Building Bridges
  5. Research

MACC 2023 Council Meeting Dates

All council meetings start at 1:00 pm unless otherwise noted:

  • January 13, 2023 – Flint

  • April 21, 2023 - Alpena

  • July 21, 2023 - Sault St. Marie

  • September 22, 2023 - Holland

Find MACC's complete 2022 - 2025 Strategic Plan Here.

Find MACC's Policies and Procedures Manual Here.

MACC Council Meeting Minutes