Maui Arts and Cultural Center Awarded $250,000 CIP Grant

A $250,000 capital improvement grant was released to the Maui Arts and Cultural Center (MACC) to help fund the construction of an event pavilion and new roof.  The funds were released by today by Governor Linda Lingle and approved by state lawmakers in the 2009 legislative session.

Upon releasing the funds Lingle said, “The Maui Arts and Cultural Center is an important part of the community, generating economic activity, providing cultural programs and enhancing education through partnerships with public and private schools as well as the University of Hawai‘i Maui College.”

“The expansion,” she said, “will enable the MACC to further serve the public and enrich the quality of life on Maui.”

The grant will specifically go toward the third phase of the MACC’s improvement and expansion plan.  The funds will be used to construct a permanent pavilion as well as provide infrastructure for lights, sound and other stage technical needs.  The new pavilion will create additional event space and provide a roof over the courtyard to protect patrons from the elements. The total cost of the project is estimated to be $4.4 million.  The MACC has raised the balance of the funds through other private and non-profit sources.

Over the past five years, the MACC has received three additional state grants of $250,000 each, which were used for the construction of new foundations, infrastructure and a new storage facility.

A non-profit community arts organization incorporated in 1984, the MACC offers arts and cultural activities for the people of Maui, including art education programs, professional development workshops for teachers, events and performances, and school field trips in collaboration with the Maui schools. The MACC has served more than two million residents and visitors since the construction of the existing center in Kahului in 1994.

Construction is currently scheduled to be completed in June 2010.

(Posted by Wendy Osher; Information courtesy Office of the Governor, State of Hawaii)