By Bridget Cooke
bcooke@themonroetimes.com
MONROE - The Green County Board approved a $100,000 grant Tuesday to be given to Monroe Arts Center after the facility raised the same in matching funds only weeks after being tasked to do so.
MAC Director Richard Daniels said the feat was due to one area family who wished to remain anonymous. Daniels noted they had been supportive of the center in the past and was enthused to see a number of area residents "incredibly generous" to MAC.
"When you're fundraising over several years as we have been, it's often different the first time around," Daniels said. "This is sort of in line with the conventional wisdom, which says there's more success the second time."
County code requires any grant over $10,000 be reviewed by supervisors, prompting the approval process for the board and the county finance committee.
The matching grant to be given to MAC was established by Rep. Todd Novak of the 51st Assembly District during the budget season of 2017. Novak managed to amend the state budget with the legislation included, which was signed by Gov. Scott Walker on Sept. 21. Funds will be distributed from the Wisconsin Arts Board once all appropriate documentation is provided, Daniels said.
The matching grant motion does not identify the Monroe-based center as the recipient. However, language specified it would be awarded "to a county that (a) borders Illinois; (b) has a population between 35,000 and 40,000 ... and (c) has an existing arts center that hosts 40 or more shows or events each year." Under this classification, MAC is the only eligible recipient.
A grant stipulation requires the lower level of MAC be rehabilitated. Originally referred to as Fellowship Hall, an addition in the 1950s divided the area into classrooms and other spaces. The center moved some walls around to accommodate a gallery, Daniels said.
The addition of a block-long arts section was the most notable change to the former church, built in 1869. Plans to update the facility along 11th Street began with a $3.75 million expansion completed in August 2016. The remaining funds were used to update infrastructure such as bathrooms, accessibility and a concert hall restoration.
Now board members hope to create a more modern, usable space while still maintaining the history of the building.
"I think it's going to have a fresh and bright look," Daniels said. "It will be very inviting."
Daniels noted that the Building and Grounds Committee with MAC will be interviewing architects within the week and plans should start being finalized after that.
Currently, the donation is a pledge, but it was made quickly after the grant was secured. Daniels said within less than a month, the center knew it would be able to secure the grant funding. He could not recall an exact date but said it was likely in mid-October when the pledge was made.
bcooke@themonroetimes.com
MONROE - The Green County Board approved a $100,000 grant Tuesday to be given to Monroe Arts Center after the facility raised the same in matching funds only weeks after being tasked to do so.
MAC Director Richard Daniels said the feat was due to one area family who wished to remain anonymous. Daniels noted they had been supportive of the center in the past and was enthused to see a number of area residents "incredibly generous" to MAC.
"When you're fundraising over several years as we have been, it's often different the first time around," Daniels said. "This is sort of in line with the conventional wisdom, which says there's more success the second time."
County code requires any grant over $10,000 be reviewed by supervisors, prompting the approval process for the board and the county finance committee.
The matching grant to be given to MAC was established by Rep. Todd Novak of the 51st Assembly District during the budget season of 2017. Novak managed to amend the state budget with the legislation included, which was signed by Gov. Scott Walker on Sept. 21. Funds will be distributed from the Wisconsin Arts Board once all appropriate documentation is provided, Daniels said.
The matching grant motion does not identify the Monroe-based center as the recipient. However, language specified it would be awarded "to a county that (a) borders Illinois; (b) has a population between 35,000 and 40,000 ... and (c) has an existing arts center that hosts 40 or more shows or events each year." Under this classification, MAC is the only eligible recipient.
A grant stipulation requires the lower level of MAC be rehabilitated. Originally referred to as Fellowship Hall, an addition in the 1950s divided the area into classrooms and other spaces. The center moved some walls around to accommodate a gallery, Daniels said.
The addition of a block-long arts section was the most notable change to the former church, built in 1869. Plans to update the facility along 11th Street began with a $3.75 million expansion completed in August 2016. The remaining funds were used to update infrastructure such as bathrooms, accessibility and a concert hall restoration.
Now board members hope to create a more modern, usable space while still maintaining the history of the building.
"I think it's going to have a fresh and bright look," Daniels said. "It will be very inviting."
Daniels noted that the Building and Grounds Committee with MAC will be interviewing architects within the week and plans should start being finalized after that.
Currently, the donation is a pledge, but it was made quickly after the grant was secured. Daniels said within less than a month, the center knew it would be able to secure the grant funding. He could not recall an exact date but said it was likely in mid-October when the pledge was made.