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Middletown Arts Center asks council for $54,000 partnership support after attendance surge
Summary
Middletown Arts Center director Kate Morrow requested $54,000 in partnership funding to sustain program growth after attendance doubled to about 14,500 visitors in 2025; council members expressed support and staff said Civic Development Fund has approximately $173,000 available and will draft a partnership agreement for formal consideration.
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — The Middletown Arts Center asked city council on Feb. 3 for $54,000 in annual partnership funding to support growing programming and outreach after a year of large increases in attendance.
Kate Morrow told council that city support last year ($45,000) helped the MAC double visitors from 7,000 to about 14,500 in 2025. She said the center provides more than 2,200 hours of educational programming annually, hosts more than 30 events a year and partners with more than 50 regional organizations. The MAC’s request seeks to maintain a roughly 10% municipal partnership contribution as its operating budget grows.
Council members voiced strong support: several said the MAC provides equitable, free arts programming, safe spaces and year‑round activation for downtown, and asked staff to prepare formal documentation. City Manager Ashley Combs said the Civic Development Fund has about $173,000 available and recommended drafting a partnership agreement or legislation for council consideration.
Council did not vote on funding that night; members asked staff to return a partnership agreement and formal legislation so council can consider the appropriation at a future meeting.
