The Braumart Theatre has been awarded $43,100 in grant funding through the Michigan Arts and Culture Council to assist in restoration efforts at the historic venue in downtown Iron Mountain. (Betsy Bloom/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Two Dickinson County non-profits have been awarded funding through the Michigan Arts and Culture Council as part of its fiscal year 2026 grant cycle.

The Braumart Theatre in Iron Mountain received $43,100, while Pine Creek Woodworking of Breitung Township was awarded $9,125. Combined, the two organizations secured $52,225.

The funds will assist The Braumart Theatre’s renewed efforts to restore the historic downtown historic venue. The money is to go toward a new CRM project, lighting, asbestos testing and new board training.

Pine Creek Woodworking will use its funding to install a new air filtration system aimed at improving shop conditions and operational efficiency.

Iron County was awarded $19,200, though what it was intended for was not listed.

Pine Creek Woodworking of Breitung Township received a $9,125 grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Friends of The Braumart member Liz Murray is shown with Pine Creek Woodworking board members — from left are Albert Santoni, Murray, Tom Wender, John Fortier, Dave Wender, Steve Pontbriand, Ted Fornetti and Mark Pugh. (Contributed photo)

Grant recipients are required to match at least 25% of the awarded funds through other public or private sources.

Statewide, MACC distributed $12 million in total grants during the FY26 cycle, making the U.P. share notable, the council stated in a news release.

Across the Upper Peninsula, MACC awarded about $1.3 million to support creative programs, cultural institutions and community initiatives.

The region received about 10% of all state funding despite being home to only about 3% of Michigan’s population, a “powerful indicator that arts and culture remain essential infrastructure in the U.P.,” the MACC states in the news release.

The grant cycle drew 677 applications requesting nearly $24.6 million statewide and reflects the second year of the council’s updated grant program, which was refined in partnership with the Office of Continuous Improvement to better serve Michigan’s creative sector.

The funding reached every corner of the U.P. to support organizations large and small that provide arts educations, exhibitions, performances, festivals, public art, history programming, and creative workforce initiatives.

Marquette County led the region with $354,874 in awards; Delta County, $229,804; Houghton County, $207,255; Gogebic County, $206,945; and Chippewa County, $133,600. In addition to the $52,225 in Dickinson County and $19,200 in Iron County, other MACC awards included $38,525 in Mackinac County, $29,413 in Ontonagon County, $20,000 in Schoolcraft County, $16,060 in Menominee County and $4,800 in Alger County.

The infusion of resources will strengthen organizations that preserve local heritage, expand arts access, and energize community life in rural towns, waterfront cities, and island communities across the Upper Peninsula, according to the MACC.

“Arts and culture organizations throughout the Upper Peninsula play a key role as economic drivers and community anchors, supporting tourism, revitalizing downtowns, and offering educational and cultural programming for residents of all ages. In many communities, they also provide critical youth programming and partnerships that connect education, economic development, and civic engagement.

“MACC’s support enables this work to continue and expand, ensuring that creativity remains a visible and valued part of everyday life.

“This year’s funding also highlights the resilience and collaboration that define the region’s creative sector,” the MACC said in the news release.

Council funding is supported through the National Endowment for the Arts.