Michigan City Mainstreet Association Inc

LXCL:For community members who want to support MCMA’s mission and stay engaged. Includes:<ul class="lxcl-ul"><li class="lxcl-listItem" dir="ltr">One voting membership (eligible to vote in elections)</li><li class="lxcl-listItem" dir="ltr">Access to MCMA updates, board insights, and community initiatives</li><li class="lxcl-listItem" dir="ltr">Invitations to member events and quarterly socials (includes drink token)</li><li class="lxcl-listItem" dir="ltr">Access to shared educational resources and local business insights</li><li class="lxcl-listItem" dir="ltr">Opportunities to get involved through volunteering and community initiatives</li><li class="lxcl-listItem" dir="ltr">Connection to a network of individuals working to support and grow the district</li></ul>

Individual

Become a Member of the Michigan City Mainstreet Association (MCMA)For over 15 years, the Michigan City Mainstreet Association (MCMA) has been the volunteer-driven force behind many of the Uptown Arts District&rsquo;s most iconic events, public-art projects, and small-business support programs. From its earliest days, MCMA has proven that dedicated community members can make a visible difference in downtown &mdash; even without ongoing city funding.<h3 data-end="1060" data-start="1037" fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Our Impact So Far</h3>Events &amp; Festivals<ul data-end="1921" data-start="1090" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="1284" data-start="1090" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">First Friday Art Walks &ndash; Founded and managed by MCMA in its early years, now self-sustaining with MCMA still funding live performances through the First Friday Summer Series (est. 2019).</li><li data-end="1401" data-start="1285" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Taste of Michigan City &ndash; A signature festival (2010&ndash;2019, 2021) that drew thousands during Grand Prix weekend.</li><li data-end="1544" data-start="1402" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Shelf Ice Brewfest &ndash; Launched in 2015 and now the region&rsquo;s premier winter craft beer festival, attracting ~2,000 visitors each February.</li><li data-end="1631" data-start="1545" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Swale Music Festival &ndash; A multi-stage music festival showcasing original artists.</li><li data-end="1732" data-start="1632" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Flame + Flair Halloween Festival &ndash; Downtown trick-or-treating and fire performers (2014&ndash;2019).</li><li data-end="1818" data-start="1733" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">St. Patrick&rsquo;s Parade &amp; Beer Garden &ndash; Revived and expanded by MCMA in 2022&ndash;2023.</li><li data-end="1921" data-start="1819" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Quarterly Community Socials &ndash; Ongoing open forums for gathering ideas and recruiting volunteers.</li></ul>Beautification &amp; Public Art<ul data-end="2477" data-start="1960" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="2080" data-start="1960" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">&ldquo;Walk MC&rdquo; Wayfinding System &ndash; Designed and installed by MCMA volunteers in 2021 to guide visitors across Uptown.</li><li data-end="2212" data-start="2081" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Pole Banner Art Program &ndash; More than 40 artist-designed banners installed on downtown light poles to bring year-round color.</li><li data-end="2360" data-start="2213" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Hokkaido Mural Project (2019&ndash;2021) &ndash; An international mural competition and community celebration that added a lasting piece of public art.</li><li data-end="2477" data-start="2361" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Seasonal Planters Initiative &ndash; Flowers and planters provided free to businesses, boosting storefront appeal.</li></ul>Small-Business Support &amp; Grants<ul data-end="2958" data-start="2520" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="2654" data-start="2520" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Fa&ccedil;ade Improvement Grants (2010&ndash;2013) &ndash; Matching funds that helped local businesses upgrade signage, awnings, and storefronts.</li><li data-end="2758" data-start="2655" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Blade Sign Grant Pilot (2022&ndash;2023) &ndash; Supporting creative, pedestrian-friendly business signage.</li><li data-end="2847" data-start="2759" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Party Grants &ndash; Micro-grants for small public events in the Uptown Arts District.</li><li data-end="2958" data-start="2848" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Trick-or-Treat Candy Fund &ndash; Annual support for 30+ businesses to hand out candy at Artspace Halloween.</li></ul>Civic Advocacy &amp; Infrastructure<ul data-end="3465" data-start="3002" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="3188" data-start="3002" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Naomi Anderson Sculpture Project (2020&ndash;2021) &ndash; Conceived, fundraised, and managed by MCMA; the $140,000 sculpture was donated to the City along with a perpetual maintenance fund.</li><li data-end="3322" data-start="3189" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Two-Way Street Conversion (2015&ndash;2016) &ndash; Championed conversion of key streets for safer, more navigable downtown traffic flow.</li><li data-end="3465" data-start="3323" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Downtown Civic Plaza Steering &ndash; Played a leadership role in shaping design and programming of the central plaza now under development.</li></ul><hr data-start="3467" data-end="3470" fr-original-style="" style="clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;"><h3 data-end="3500" data-start="3472" fr-original-style="" style="width: 100%; box-sizing: inherit;">Why Membership Matters</h3>By becoming a member, you:<ul data-end="4223" data-start="3531" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li data-end="3663" data-start="3531" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Show your support for the only Indiana Main Street&ndash;designated program in Michigan City.</li><li data-end="3801" data-start="3664" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gain a voice &mdash; members vote in annual elections and on resolutions that shape MCMA&rsquo;s future.</li><li data-end="3951" data-start="3802" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Unlock leadership opportunities &mdash; only members can be nominated to serve on the MCMA Board of Directors.</li><li data-end="4083" data-start="3952" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Stay connected &mdash; receive meeting minutes, updates, and invitations to quarterly socials with complimentary food and drinks.</li><li data-end="4223" data-start="4084" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Join a movement &mdash; together, members create the critical mass needed to influence broader community reinvestment and revitalization.</li></ul>Your membership is both a sign of support and a pathway to leadership in shaping Michigan City&rsquo;s downtown.

Become a Member of the Michigan City Mainstreet Association (MCMA)For over 15 years, the Michigan City Mainstreet Association (MCMA) has been the volunteer-driven force behind many of the Uptown Arts District’s most iconic events, public-art projects, and small-business support programs. From its earliest days, MCMA has proven that dedicated community members can make a visible difference in downtown — even without ongoing city funding.Our Impact So FarEvents &amp; Festivals<ul><li>First Friday Art Walks – Founded and managed by MCMA in its early years, now self-sustaining with MCMA still funding live performances through the First Friday Summer Series (est. 2019).</li><li>Taste of Michigan City – A signature festival (2010–2019, 2021) that drew thousands during Grand Prix weekend.</li><li>Shelf Ice Brewfest – Launched in 2015 and now the region’s premier winter craft beer festival, attracting ~2,000 visitors each February.</li><li>Swale Music Festival – A multi-stage music festival showcasing original artists.</li><li>Flame + Flair Halloween Festival – Downtown trick-or-treating and fire performers (2014–2019).</li><li>St. Patrick’s Parade &amp; Beer Garden – Revived and expanded by MCMA in 2022–2023.</li><li>Quarterly Community Socials – Ongoing open forums for gathering ideas and recruiting volunteers.</li></ul>Beautification &amp; Public Art<ul><li>“Walk MC” Wayfinding System – Designed and installed by MCMA volunteers in 2021 to guide visitors across Uptown.</li><li>Pole Banner Art Program – More than 40 artist-designed banners installed on downtown light poles to bring year-round color.</li><li>Hokkaido Mural Project (2019–2021) – An international mural competition and community celebration that added a lasting piece of public art.</li><li>Seasonal Planters Initiative – Flowers and planters provided free to businesses, boosting storefront appeal.</li></ul>Small-Business Support &amp; Grants<ul><li>Façade Improvement Grants (2010–2013) – Matching funds that helped local businesses upgrade signage, awnings, and storefronts.</li><li>Blade Sign Grant Pilot (2022–2023) – Supporting creative, pedestrian-friendly business signage.</li><li>Party Grants – Micro-grants for small public events in the Uptown Arts District.</li><li>Trick-or-Treat Candy Fund – Annual support for 30+ businesses to hand out candy at Artspace Halloween.</li></ul>Civic Advocacy &amp; Infrastructure<ul><li>Naomi Anderson Sculpture Project (2020–2021) – Conceived, fundraised, and managed by MCMA; the $140,000 sculpture was donated to the City along with a perpetual maintenance fund.</li><li>Two-Way Street Conversion (2015–2016) – Championed conversion of key streets for safer, more navigable downtown traffic flow.</li><li>Downtown Civic Plaza Steering – Played a leadership role in shaping design and programming of the central plaza now under development.</li></ul><hr />Why Membership MattersBy becoming a member, you:<ul><li>Show your support for the only Indiana Main Street–designated program in Michigan City.</li><li>Gain a voice — members vote in annual elections and on resolutions that shape MCMA’s future.</li><li>Unlock leadership opportunities — only members can be nominated to serve on the MCMA Board of Directors.</li><li>Stay connected — receive meeting minutes, updates, and invitations to quarterly socials with complimentary food and drinks.</li><li>Join a movement — together, members create the critical mass needed to influence broader community reinvestment and revitalization.</li></ul>Your membership is both a sign of support and a pathway to leadership in shaping Michigan City’s downtown.

Individual

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