WMS Receives Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids Grant Award

March 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Muskegon, Michigan, March 28, 2012 – The West Michigan Symphony today announced it received a $14,125 grant from the Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids.

WMS was one of the recipients to receive an operating support grant from the Arts Council, which announced in 2011 that it would be closing down operations in June 2012.  The organization has provided financial and strategic support to its members since it began in 1967. After announcing its imminent closing, the Arts Council encouraged its members to apply for operating support grants and individual artist grants.

WMS qualified and applied for $11,500 and received an additional bonus from the panel of $2,625 for operations. The panelists awarded the grant request as well as the bonus based on the Symphony’s commitment to the community and to arts education.

“We are very pleased to receive this grant,” said Carla Hill, CEO and president of WMS. “The Arts Council has been a wonderful organization for community arts.  While we are disappointed to see the Arts Council close its doors, we are appreciative of the final round of support for the Symphony – in particular for acknowledging our arts education and community engagement efforts by providing us with additional funds.”

Grants were awarded during a special reception held on Wednesday, March 28 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

About West Michigan Symphony
As one of the few professional regional orchestras in Michigan, West Michigan Symphony has played a leading role in the region’s cultural community for more than 70 years.  Founded as the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, WMS now serves a regional audience with eight pairs of concerts annually, along with dozens of educational and outreach activities for children and adults. WMS oversees operations for the West Michigan Youth Symphony.  For more information, visit www.westmichigansymphony.org.

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