White Lake Community Fund Grants ACWL-Nuveen $6,500 in Support of Adult Art Classes

Earlier this year, the grant support ACWL-Nuveen typically recieves from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC) was in jeapordy. State legislators had proposed eliminating funding for MACC entirely and Michigan arts nonprofits were bracing for impact. Luckily, the state budget was passed with funding for MACC intact, but as of this writing, the grant application portal for 2026 general operations support has not opened.

In the midst of all this uncertainty and a potential budget shortfall of up to $18,000, ACWL-Nuveen staff made the decision to prioritize adult art classes for 2026 and applied for grant support from the White Lake Community Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County. Thankfully, the White Lake Community Fund agreed that adult art education was essential for White Lake area residents and awarded the ACWL-Nuveen a $6,500 grant to support this programming in 2026.

With offerings ranging from painting and drawing, to fiber, ceramics and printmaking, adult-focused classes make up 70% of ACWL-Nuveen educational programming and serve West Michigan area residents ages 16+. In 2024, we served over 450 adults through adult art classes, with the majority of those students being White Lake area residents. This programming provides a space for adults to work alongside other artists and gives them an outlet for self expression. We have seen inspiration strike, friendships form, and confidence-levels rise. It is clear that adults need these artistic opportunities to lead fulfilling lives and fight isolation. The support from the White Lake Community Fund will ensure these classes continue to be accessible to everyone in 2026. Thank you!