Executive Director Raises Awareness of Proposed Arts Budget Cuts

The Tri-Cities Historical Museum (TCHM) is urging Michigan state leaders to reject a proposal in the Michigan House of Representatives that would eliminate all funding for the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC). The Museum joins institutions across the state in sounding the alarm: this proposed cut would be devastating for Michigan’s arts, culture, and history organizations, including the Tri-Cities Historical Museum.

“The Tri-Cities Historical Museum has benefited greatly from MACC funding, which has helped us preserve and share local history, strengthen community programs, and make capital improvements to our facilities,” said Erica Layton, Executive Director of the Museum. “This is not just a simple state budget decision. It's a decision that affects local students, families, visitors, and our Tri-Cities community.”

In recent years, MACC grants have played a critical role in supporting the Tri-Cities Historical Museum’s work. Just in the last three years, MACC funding has provided:

• $7,500 in operational support for 2024

• $19,329 for capital improvements to the Community Archive and Research Center in 2023

• $6,270 to support community programming like Live on the Lakeshore in 2023

• $4,568 for professional development and conference participation through POD MiniGrants

• $42,300 in operational support across 2022 and 2023

These grants went directly to the Tri-Cities Historical Museum and have helped the Museum improve accessibility, invest in its staff, upgrade essential infrastructure, and create high-quality exhibits that serve more than 24,000 annual visitors.

The proposed elimination of MACC funding would jeopardize not only the Tri-Cities Historical Museum but hundreds of similar organizations statewide. Without this support, many museums, theaters, galleries, and cultural centers may be forced to reduce programming, lay off staff, or even close their doors entirely.

The Tri-Cities Historical Museum is calling on residents, civic leaders, and especially those in Republican-led House districts to contact their state representatives and oppose these devastating cuts. “The arts, history, and culture are not extras—they’re essential to who we are as communities and as a state,” Layton said. “We ask our elected officials to stand up and protect what matters to Michigan.”

The Tri-Cities Historical Museum was founded in 1959 to ‘create connections to local history,’ bringing to life the stories of Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, and Spring Lake through exhibitions, education programs, and community outreach. The TCHM believes that history is essential in helping us understand our culture and our community. TCHM encourages visitors and supporters to share their thoughts on the latest House version of the state budget with their local representatives.