The grant from the Jeffris Heartland Fund will fund 50% of the cost of a Historic Structure Report for The Village Arts Factory, a 14-acre site currently being developed by the Partnership for the Arts and Humanities. The Historic Structure Report will provide written documentation about The Village Arts Factory's current structural conditions, which will be an effective tool in preservation planning and will also address goals for the future use of the building. In addition, the report will provide insights into the people and historic context with which the site is associated.
Located on the corner of Cherry Hill and Ridge Roads in Canton, MI, The Village Arts Factory site was acquired in 2012 by the Partnership for the Arts and Humanities. Current site plans include the development of a future regional arts and culture destination that will support and encourage arts, education, historic preservation, and environmental conservation.
“We are truly grateful to the Jeffris Family Foundation for providing us with this generous grant,” said Jill Engel, Partnership for the Arts and Humanities Director. "This report will help with all future decision-making regarding design and space usage and will help us in the preservation and restoration of the this historic site."
Founded in 1979 and based in Janesville, WI, the Jeffris Family Foundation is dedicated to preserving regionally and nationally important historic buildings and decorative arts projects for future generations. The Jeffris Heartland Fund supports quality planning for restoration projects leading to capital campaigns for restoration work throughout the region.
The Village Arts Factory site is currently listed on the National Historic Register as part of the Cherry Hill Historic District. Development of this site will include preservation and restoration of the Henry Ford Village, as well as educating future generations to come.
The Partnership for the Arts and Humanities is a 501(c)(3) cultural arts organization in Canton, MI. The Partnership's ongoing mission is to encourage the development of the arts in the community by providing artists with financial support, advocacy and education.
For more information about The Village Arts Factory or the Heartland Fund grant from the Jeffris Family Foundation, visit www.partnershipforarts.org or call 734/765-7061.
MEDIA CONTACT: Jill Engel, Executive Director, Partnership for the Arts & Humanities, 734/765-7061.