Arts council approves nearly $5.7M in grants

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs has approved nearly $5.7 million in grants, an increase from last year's funding.

The grants announced last week are for 312 nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, educational institutions and municipalities in 47 counties. The council had additional arts and cultural funding for the effort that was approved by the state Legislature.

Last year, the council approved grants totaling $2.1 million.

This year, the council received nearly 600 applications requesting more than $8.2 million in funding. A list of recipients is posted online.