The arts, history and science…
...they’re part of what makes Genesee County special.
The Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage fuels the cultural heartbeat of Genesee County, where creativity, learning and community come together. It expands access to the arts, history and science for every resident and fuels our economy.
This millage supports a diverse set of treasured cultural institutions, including world-class museums, music programs, performing arts venues, community centers and an immersive planetarium, engaging residents and visitors of all ages. These institutions are community hubs where imagination thrives, ideas are shared, connections are made and lifelong curiosity is sparked.
The millage creates one-of-a-kind educational opportunities for Genesee County kids, families, adults and seniors. It ensures that all Genesee County students — regardless of their zip code, age or background — can access robust learning opportunities and experiences beyond the classroom.
This millage supports a diverse set of treasured cultural institutions, including world-class museums, music programs, performing arts venues, community centers and an immersive planetarium, engaging residents and visitors of all ages. These institutions are community hubs where imagination thrives, ideas are shared, connections are made and lifelong curiosity is sparked.
The millage creates one-of-a-kind educational opportunities for Genesee County kids, families, adults and seniors. It ensures that all Genesee County students — regardless of their zip code, age or background — can access robust learning opportunities and experiences beyond the classroom.
Millage Benefits
All county residents receive the following benefits thanks to the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage:
✅ FREE general admission to the Sloan Museum of Discovery and the Flint Institute of Arts (FIA)
✅ 50% off Longway Planetarium admission
✅ 30-50% off tickets for Flint Institute of Music (FIM) live performances and programs, such as FIM Capitol Theatre, FIM Whiting Auditorium, FIM Flint Repertory Theatre and FIM Flint Symphony Orchestra
✅ 10% discount on classes and $20 registration fee waived at FIM Flint School of Performing Arts
✅ Access to events, programs and activities at more than 20 local Genesee County nonprofit arts organizations sponsored by the Greater Flint Arts Council (GFAC)
✅ FREE arts and crafts and performing arts programming, fitness and sports activities and community programs at Berston Field House
✅ Up to 60% off tuition at Creative Expressions Dance Studio at Berston Field House
✅ Low-ticket prices for live performances and FREE documentary screenings and youth programs at The New McCree Theatre
“The Genesee County Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage is a powerful investment in our shared future. It ensures that every child and resident in our county has access to the arts, history and science and educational experiences that strengthen our community. This millage improves our quality of life, creates jobs and pumps money into our local economy, all while helping ensure that everyone who calls Genesee County home can participate in and experience art and culture.”
- Dan Kildee, Former U.S. Representative and President and CEO of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint
"As an art educator, I support the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage because access to art and arts education is essential. Art connects us in meaningful ways, fostering a deeper understanding of diversity and culture, encouraging empathy and broadening our perspectives. The millage supports the Flint Institute of Arts, Genesee County’s local art museum, which is a vital resource that enhances creativity and critical thinking."
- Jordan Barnett, Early College Art Teacher at Mott Middle College High School
"The Share Art Genesee grant, funded by the Genesee County Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage, has greatly enhanced our ability to serve our community. Because of this support, we've expanded the variety of classes we offer and extended our open studio hours, making the arts more accessible to everyone. The grant has also allowed us to keep our class fees affordable while still providing a high-quality, meaningful art experience. We are truly grateful for how this grant helps us continue our mission to inspire, connect and uplift our community through the arts."
- Stephany Zolinski, President, Clio Center for the Arts
"Investing in the arts and culture is good for quality of life — and good for business. The Genesee County Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment millage helps attract visitors, retain talent, and strengthen the local economy, all of which support a more vibrant business environment."
- Costa Papista, President of the Flint City Bucks and Flint City AFC
"Arts and culture are vital to the health of our community because they bring people together across generations, backgrounds and neighborhoods. Berston Field House, along with our other local cultural treasures, provides spaces where children, seniors and families can express themselves through music, dance and the arts — often at little to no cost. Programs like the Sensational Senior Fitness Experience remind us that creativity has no age limit, and I am grateful that the Genesee County Arts and Cultural Enrichment Millage ensures these opportunities remain accessible for all of Genesee County."
- Linda Boose, Community Member
"The Share Art Genesee grant, funded by the Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage, is essential to the 130-member Fenton Community Orchestra’s ability to bring high-quality orchestral music to the Greater Fenton area. This support allows us to retain our talented artistic directors and operations manager, ensuring the excellence of our performances and programs like Simply Strings, which offers novice adult and senior musicians a rare, firsthand experience performing with an orchestra."
- Eric Crimmins, Operations Manager, Fenton Community Orchestra
“Genesee County residents deserve meaningful opportunities to engage in the arts, and the Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage makes that possible. Art and music have saved my life, and I’ve seen firsthand how arts education becomes an outlet for those facing hardship, lead exposure, poverty, and countless other challenges. So often, happiness is hidden in the music, in the paint, in the play, and in the pen. This millage ensures our community can access those life-changing moments.”
- Melinda Sōl Manani, CEO of Mama Sōl Corp.
“As an early childhood director, I’m always evaluating how we teach our youngest learners — how we shape their environment, the materials we place in their hands, and the educators who guide them. That’s why I’m in awe of the work happening at the Sloan Museum of Discovery. Every hands-on learning experience here reflects a deep understanding of how children grow. You can feel the impact the moment you walk through the space. The Genesee County Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment Millage makes this level of meaningful, immersive learning possible for families across our community.”
- Chelsea Horton, Director of Early Childhood Programming, Bentley Community Schools
Powering Economic Growth
In Genesee County, the arts, history and science do more than inspire. They power economic growth, support education and health and strengthen community resilience. All funds generated by the millage are spent on programming in Genesee County.
A report by Americans for the Arts revealed the Genesee County arts and culture sector generated $129.5 million in economic activity in 2022. The report, Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 in Genesee County, provides an in-depth look at the economic and social impact of the nonprofit arts and culture industry in Genesee County.
The report findings include:
✅ $54.9 million in spending by arts and culture organizations
✅ $74.6 million in event-related expenditures by audiences
✅ Economic activity supported nearly 2,200 jobs
✅ $19.8 million in tax revenue to local, state and federal governments
✅ One-third of Genesee County residents who attend local arts and cultural events said they would travel outside the county to attend a similar activity if it weren’t available locally.
FAQs
The Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage enables access to art, history and science at our county's treasured cultural institutions, improves Genesee County residents’ quality of life, creates jobs and pumps money into our local economy.
Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage funds are distributed to cultural organizations in the county, including Longway Planetarium, Sloan Museum of Discovery, Flint Institute of Arts (FIA), Flint Institute of Music (FIM), The New McCree Theatre, Greater Flint Arts Council (GFAC) and Berston Field House.
GFAC distributes dozens of grants to other arts and cultural institutions around the county through its Share Arts Genesee program and funds the monthly Flint ARTWALK.
When voters approved this millage in 2018, Genesee County promised it would track every penny, and it has kept its promise by posting every dollar collected or spent publicly online to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
Funds generated by the millage are spent on programming in Genesee County, and all funds are subject to annual independent audits to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility.
GFAC distributes dozens of grants to other arts and cultural institutions around the county through its Share Arts Genesee program and funds the monthly Flint ARTWALK.
When voters approved this millage in 2018, Genesee County promised it would track every penny, and it has kept its promise by posting every dollar collected or spent publicly online to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
Funds generated by the millage are spent on programming in Genesee County, and all funds are subject to annual independent audits to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Students of all ages, families, adults and seniors in and beyond Genesee County benefit from the millage with increased access to the art, history and science that you can’t get in books, on TV or on the internet.
Genesee County residents enjoy free general admission to the Sloan Museum of Discovery and the Flint Institute of Arts, 50% off Longway Planetarium, free programming at Berston Field House, as well as 30-50% off performances at Flint Institute of Museum (FIM) venues and discounts at The New McCree Theatre.
Genesee County residents enjoy free general admission to the Sloan Museum of Discovery and the Flint Institute of Arts, 50% off Longway Planetarium, free programming at Berston Field House, as well as 30-50% off performances at Flint Institute of Museum (FIM) venues and discounts at The New McCree Theatre.
When voters approved the millage in 2018, Genesee County promised it would track every penny, and it has kept its promise by posting every dollar collected or spent publicly online to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
Funds generated by the millage are spent on programming here in Genesee County, and all funds are subject to annual independent audits to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Funds generated by the millage are spent on programming here in Genesee County, and all funds are subject to annual independent audits to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility.
Transparent and Affordable
The Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage is affordable, transparent and accountable. When voters approved this millage in 2018, Genesee County promised it would track every penny, and it has kept its promise by posting every dollar collected or spent publicly online to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.
All funds generated by the millage are spent on programming here in Genesee County, and all funds are subject to annual independent audits to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility.
This millage costs the average Genesee County homeowner just $9 per month to keep the county’s world-class cultural institutions available to children, schools, families, seniors and the public.
All funds generated by the millage are spent on programming here in Genesee County, and all funds are subject to annual independent audits to promote transparency and fiscal responsibility.
This millage costs the average Genesee County homeowner just $9 per month to keep the county’s world-class cultural institutions available to children, schools, families, seniors and the public.
FACT:
Thousands of kids across Genesee County participate in free educational experiences and field trips each year, connecting them with the arts, history and science thanks to the Genesee County Arts Education & Cultural Enrichment Millage.
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