Egg Harbor, WI – Birch Creek is honored to announce that it has received a grant from the

Wisconsin Arts Board’s Creation and Presentation program, supported by funds from the

State of Wisconsin and the National Foundation for the Arts. The grant will provide

operational and program support for the outstanding music education programs and public concerts that, in 2019, will take Birch Creek into its 44th year.

This is the seventeenth year Birch Creek has received an Arts Board grant. Grants are

determined by a competitive review process from a panel of Wisconsin experts in the arts,

music, theatre and nonprofits. The grant acknowledges Birch Creek as an organization that offers high quality music education programming, thereby having significant local, regional, and statewide impact on the cultural life of Wisconsin.

Each year, Arts Board grants support music instruction of 185 young musicians taught by

90 professional faculty members and teaching assistants; together, students and faculty

perform public concerts for audiences of more than 12,000. Complimenting the summer

academy sessions are free outreach clinics held annually for Door County public school

music students through “Artists in the Schools” program.

Arts Board grants have recognized Birch Creek’s excellence in music education since 2000,

and in every consecutive year since 2003,” noted executive director Mona Christensen.

“The Arts Board is a state agency that nurtures creativity, cultivates expression, and

supports the arts in education. To be recognized by the State of Wisconsin for the value we

provide to our community is an honor.”

The summer music academy and concert venue has been a Wisconsin institution since

1975, educating hundreds of promising young musicians each summer and providing

concerts for tourists and residents alike. Through job creation, locally purchased services,

and family-purchased meals and lodging, Birch Creek has an economic impact on the Door County community of more than $500,000 each year.

Birch Creek matches Arts Board funds with funds raised through tuition, ticket sales,

individual and foundation gifts, and grants. Birch Creek Music Performance Center is a residential summer music academy in Egg Harbor, WI, for advanced young musicians. With a performance emphasis, students are taught by nationally known professionals and educators during the day, and perform with them in concerts at night. Four sessions focus on Percussion & Steel Band, Symphony, and Big Band Jazz. 2019 concert and session dates are posted at www.birchcreek.org.