BENTON TOWNSHIP — A southwest Michigan performing arts center has received a state-wide grant.

The Mendel Center at Lake Michigan College has been awarded a $8,166 grant from the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. The Mendel Center is using the grant to support its presentation of the Winter Delights Festival at The Mendel Center on Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.

The Mendel Center grant was awarded through a peer review process and was one of eight Berrien County arts organizations to be awarded funding. Organizations receiving an MCACA grant are required to match those funds with other public and private dollars.

“We are thrilled to receive funding support for the Winter Delights Festival from Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. This event celebrates the performing, visual and culinary arts that are so important to our region,” said Grace Kelmer, director of The Mendel Center Mainstage. “We thank the state of Michigan and our elected government officials for valuing the arts and the resulting connections that enhance the quality of life in southwestern Michigan.”

Winter Delights Festival will feature two music stages, local visual artists and craft beverage and food makers from Michigan — all indoors at The Mendel Center on the Lake Michigan College campus in Benton Harbor.

Planned activities are:

• Three concerts by nationally touring musical acts in the 1,559-seat Mainstage theatre. Musical acts will be The Reminders, JigJam and Six Appeal Vocal Band.

• Master class workshops led by two of the Mainstage acts.

• Taste Faire and Music Stage in newly renovated Grand Upton Hall. The Taste Stage headliner is local favorite Bryan Lubeck.

• Up to 20 visual artists with their art on display and for sale throughout the building.

The Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council, The Boulevard Inn & Bistro and 98.3 The Coast are sponsoring Winter Delights Festival.

The MCACA peer review process allows for each grant application to be competitively considered by a panel of in-state and out-of-state arts and cultural professionals, officials said. This ensures the taxpayers, who support this project through legislative appropriations, and all other visitors and residents in Michigan will have access to the highest quality arts and cultural experiences.

A complete list of grant awards around the state is available by contacting MCACA at (517) 241-4011, or by visiting the MCACA website at michiganbusiness.org/community/council-arts-cultural-affairs.

Tickets for the Winter Delights Festival and all other Mendel Center Mainstage season performances are available at TheMendelCenter.com.