MONROE - Barring a veto from Gov. Scott Walker, a $100,000 matching funds grant created by 51st state Assembly Rep. Todd Novak may help Monroe Arts Center continue its endeavors to expand the facility.
Novak was invited to MAC by director Richard Daniels just over a year ago and has since visited in the last few months.
"I was really impressed by the facility and what they do there," Novak said. "One of the things I liked most was their outreach to children and young people."
A major MAC expansion was completed in August of 2016. However, two phases of the project remain; an update to the lower level of the church and demolition of a 1950s addition, and renovation of the area reserved for music lessons and recitals.
The grant would be given to the arts center once the organization raised $100,000 of its own, which Novak said he has "no doubt" will happen.
"I was looking to give them a jumpstart," he said.
The conditions of Novak's motion to the Joint Finance Committee specified the recipient of such a grant would be in a county that borders Illinois, has a population of 35,000 to 40,000 residents according to the 2010 U.S. Census and has an existing arts center that hosts at least 40, likely more, shows and events annually.
Novak announced Saturday the JFC had approved the measure on a 12-4 vote, which moved the measure to the main state budget currently being debated by members of the state Senate. Novak plans to meet with the governor in the coming week to discuss the importance of keeping the grant in the budget.
Novak was invited to MAC by director Richard Daniels just over a year ago and has since visited in the last few months.
"I was really impressed by the facility and what they do there," Novak said. "One of the things I liked most was their outreach to children and young people."
A major MAC expansion was completed in August of 2016. However, two phases of the project remain; an update to the lower level of the church and demolition of a 1950s addition, and renovation of the area reserved for music lessons and recitals.
The grant would be given to the arts center once the organization raised $100,000 of its own, which Novak said he has "no doubt" will happen.
"I was looking to give them a jumpstart," he said.
The conditions of Novak's motion to the Joint Finance Committee specified the recipient of such a grant would be in a county that borders Illinois, has a population of 35,000 to 40,000 residents according to the 2010 U.S. Census and has an existing arts center that hosts at least 40, likely more, shows and events annually.
Novak announced Saturday the JFC had approved the measure on a 12-4 vote, which moved the measure to the main state budget currently being debated by members of the state Senate. Novak plans to meet with the governor in the coming week to discuss the importance of keeping the grant in the budget.