Oakland and Wayne County museum funding proposal leaves out Macomb | The Metro

This election, voters in Oakland and Wayne County are deciding on the “Southeast Michigan Public Historical Museum Authority Millage Proposal.”

It’s a 10-year, $0.2 million property tax proposal that would guarantee funding through 2035 for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Beyond that, there’s also a 15% allotment for other historical museums throughout Wayne and Oakland County.

Missing from that proposal is Macomb County. That ties into a running narrative of Macomb not receiving the same level of funding for culture and the arts that its neighbors in Oakland and Wayne do.

While budget numbers do vary from-year-to-year, a study by a Macomb nonprofit found that the county received about $36 in grant funding per-resident, while Oakland and Wayne Counties receive over $200 dollars.

That means art and historical institutions in Macomb County face different fiscal realities compared to its neighbors.

Matt Matthews is the executive director of the Anton Art Center in Mount Clemens. He stopped by The Metro to talk with Alex McLenon about arts and culture funding in Macomb County.

Hear the full conversation using the media player above.

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