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The RAC Gallery

Resident Artists and Theater Companies:

Michigan Classical Repertory Theatre

PTD Productions

Redbud Productions

Calendar of Events

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Some of our friends and colleagues:

Ypsilanti Downtown Development Authority

Ypsilanti Convention and Visitors Bureau

Ypsilanti Heritage Foundation

Ann Arbor Area
Community Foundation

Riverside Arts Center, Summer, 2007, Newsletter

Grant Search report aids RAC Foundation
As with most community arts agencies, the Riverside Arts Center is experiencing a need for sustained support and has asked whether some of that need might be met by grants. The RAC Foundation has approached Henry Amick of Amick Museum Resource Development (AMRD) to conduct a Grants Search. The Search offers the opportunity to approach fundraising––and in particular grantsmanship––in a systematic strategic way. AMRD noted the areas of need and researched grantors to create a selection of funding sources that fit the nonprofit areas of service, need, and location. Within that selection AMRD examined the relevance of each selected grantor. The Search saved valuable time and money by providing RAC with knowledge about grant sources and by offering professional opinion as to the likelihood of funding.

RAC’s funding goals indicate an "approximate total need of $1,280,000 for 2007-2008 which includes capacity building, classrooms, gallery, program delivery, program development, and theatre."

Greater attention is paid to the report’s section on “likely prospects” of foundations whose grant missions closely match RAC’s characteristics and needs. Six agencies’ granting patterns and evaluative criteria are receiving enthusiastic attention from “RACtives” working with the Foundation.

AMRD notes, “to move forward on a sustainable grant writing campaign, the Riverside Arts Center would be advised to use their needs as a guide, a guide which should be updated regularly. Be true to thyself, and let organizational needs, not funding opportunities drive your grant writing. The result is always better writing, stronger proposals, and more consistent funding.”

The “grantor index” of the study has provided Riverside Arts Center with a list of “best possible players” as further community arts programs are developed for downtown Ypsilanti. Now the RAC Foundation Board is actively seeking talented grant writers to pursue funds that will help to continue the Art Center’s community programs.

Corner Brewery contributes to the burgeoning arts venue in Ypsi
RAC supporters hung out at the Brewery for Oktoberfest––a successful folk music/fundraiser. Shadow Art Fairs have drawn hundreds to the Brewery’s unique exhibition space in the former Motor Wheel office building. In April an Acoustic Music Festival brings another enthusiastic crowd.

For more information about using the Corner Brewery as an arts venue, call 734-480-2739.

Dreamland moves downtown
Naia Venturi’s Dreamland Theatre has moved from Depot Town to the Washington Street Mall in downtown Ypsilanti where she will continue to offer puppet theatre, comedy performances, and a sophisitcated variety of creative entertainments.