Lyceum wins larger MAC grant in 2008 than usual

Patrons pour from the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre in April after a showing of the popular "Menopause, the Musical." A larger-than-usual grant from the Missouri Arts Council this year will help the theater continue to offer special perfomances.
(Eric Crump/Democrat-News)

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State Sen. Bill Stouffer (R-Napton) announced recently that MAC grants have been awarded to Arrow Rock and Boonville.

The Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre will receive $25,500 in grant money and Friends of Historic Boonville will receive $30,380, according to a news release from Stouffer.

"I want to thank the Missouri Department of Economic Development and the Missouri Arts Council for recognizing rural Missouri," Sen. Stouffer said. "These grants will translate into good things for both great towns."

"The Missouri Arts Council has played a significant role in the success of the Lyceum," said Lyceum Artistic Director Quin Gresham. "We are thrilled and humbled by this year's generous award."

Gresham said the award will provide support for the 2008 season.

Managing Director Steve Bertani said the allocation was the latest in a series of increases. Prior to 2006, the grant was typically in the $5,000 to $7,000 range, he said.

In 2006, the theater received about $11,000, he said, and in 2007 the grant was for about $16,000.

"MAC has a true understanding about the importance of the Lyceum Theatre as a long-term cultural arts institution in rural Missouri, including the economic impact it has on the community," Bertani said. "Without the support of MAC, the Lyceum would have difficulty producing the quality of live theater we expose to mid-Missourians. We are certainly grateful for their generosity each year."

The Missouri Arts Council will provide over $8 million this year to nonprofit organizations through grants that encourage and stimulate the growth, development and appreciation of the arts in Missouri, according to the news release from Stouffer.