To

Mayor and Council

Subject

Ma Rainey House

Initiator

City Manager's Office

Recommendation

Approval is requested to accept if approved, a grant in the amount of $20,000 \n \n from the State of Georgia Local Development Fund to design and build display \n \n cases, special effect lighting to convert the Ma Rainey House, into a museum.

Approval

Approved

Background

The Ma Rainey House was built in 1935. The house in which she lived in until

her death. The house was purchased and stabilized by the City in 1991 and is

in total need of restoration. The Friends of the Ma Rainey Museum of the Blues

Inc., which is a nonprofit organization founded in 1995, would like to create a

living memorial to "The Mother of Blues" Ms. Gertrude "Ma" Rainey a great

influence of blues music. By establishing a living memorial, the Friends of Ma

Rainey would be offering a highly artistic and visual year round program of the

blues. The Rainey home will be an art and cultural opportunity for the general

public and music specialists to hear any or all songs she composed and recorded

in her development of the Blues.

Analysis

The City has the opportunity to receive a grant in the amount of $20,000 to

convert the Ma Rainey House into a museum. This grant will allow for museum

quality items to be built/purchased for the conversion of the house into a

museum.

Financial Considerations

The grant in the amount of $20,000 is available from the State of Georgia

Local Development Fund. The project budget is $50,000 as follows: $20,000

grant, $30,000 in-kind contribution and $10,000 match. Matching funds will be

contributed by the Friends of Ma Rainey.

Projected Annual Fiscal Impact Statement

Legal Considerations

Council must approve the acceptance of all grant funds.

Recommendations/ Actions

Approval is requested to accept if approved, grant funding from the State of

Georgia, Local Development Fund and local match from the Friends of Ma Rainey..

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