MARQUETTE — The Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance has been awarded two competitive grants totaling $50,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts, reinforcing the growing role of arts and culture as a driver of economic prosperity across the Upper Peninsula.

The first award, $30,000 in Grants for Arts Projects, will support a regional mini-grant program providing direct funding to nonprofit organizations across the U.P. This initiative will invest in local projects that generate economic activity, support artists and creative workers, and expand access to arts experiences in communities across all 15 counties.

The second award, $20,000 for Research Grants in the Arts, will fund a comprehensive study examining how arts and cultural activity contributes to employment, business development and overall economic growth in the region. This research will provide critical data to help communities, policymakers, and industry leaders better understand and leverage the creative economy as a tool for regional development.

Both grants require a 1:1 non-federal match, creating an important opportunity for local, regional, and state partners to invest alongside federal support. This matching requirement will help amplify the impact of the awards, encouraging collaboration and engagement from stakeholders across sectors while ensuring that resources remain rooted in and responsive to Upper Peninsula communities and needs.

Together, these investments represent a strategic approach to strengthening both the immediate and long-term economic impact of arts and culture in the Upper Peninsula. By pairing direct funding with rigorous research, the alliance is working to ensure that creative activity continues to support jobs, attract visitors, retain residents, and contribute to a vibrant and sustainable regional economy.

“These awards recognize and reinforce what communities across the Upper Peninsula already intuitively know: arts and culture are essential to economic vitality,” said Dr. Philip Rice, executive director of the alliance. “This support allows us to both invest in creative work happening right now and collect the data needed to shape future growth.”

Additional details about both projects, including timelines, opportunities for participation and funding guidelines, will be announced in the coming months. To stay informed and receive updates, go to upacalliance.com and subscribe to the alliance newsletter.