HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2026.05.21 - 42948
AGENDA ITEM: Sponsorship of the Orion Art Center 2026 Dragon on the Lake Festival
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
MEETING: Board of Commissioners
DATE: Thursday, May 21, 2026 9:30 AM - Click to View Agenda
ITEM SUMMARY SHEET
COMMITTEE REPORT TO BOARD
Resolution #2026-6555
Motion to approve a one-time allotment of $5,000 from the FY 2026 Board of Commissioners’
General Fund Sponsorship line-item budget to sponsor the Orion Art Center 2026 Dragon on the
Lake Festival. Further, authorize the Board Chair to execute any required agreements on behalf of
Oakland County. Additionally, require that the recipient publicly promote the County’s support as a
primary Sponsor and submit an impact report to the Board of Commissioners by the end of the
calendar year, detailing the outcomes of the concert series, including attendance, participation, and
the number of Oakland County residents served.
ITEM CATEGORY SPONSORED BY
Special Project Michael Gingell
INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND
Please provide the full name, title, and organization of the person submitting this request.
Holly Nicosia, Executive Director, Orion Art Center
Please provide the requester’s email address and phone number.
director@orionartcenter.org, 248-941-2604
Please provide the organization’s address and website, if applicable.
Orion Art Center, Lake Orion, MI www.orionartcenter.org
Please identify whether the organization is a governmental entity, a nonprofit, or another
type of entity, and include tax status if applicable.
Nonprofit, 501(c)(3)
Please identify the sponsoring Commissioner(s) for this request.
Commissioner Mike Gingell
Describe what you are requesting the Board to fund and what the public will receive as a
result.
The request is for funding support for the 2026 Dragon on the Lake Festival, a large-scale
community arts and cultural event in downtown Lake Orion. The public will receive access to a free,
multi-day festival featuring dragon boat races, a juried art fair with over 100 artisits and vendors, live
music, chalk art, family-friendly activities, and community programming. The event promotes arts
access, supports local artists and businesses, and provides inclusive experiences for residents and
visitors.
Is this request best classified as a sponsorship of an event or support for a program?
Sponsorship
If this request includes an event, please provide the event date(s), location(s), expected
attendance, and whether the event is free and open to the public.
August 27-30, 2026, Downtown Lake Orion. Expected attendance is approximately 5,000-7,000
attendees per day. The event is free and open to the public.
What is the total budget for the overall project, program, or event, and what is the specific
amount requested from the Board of Commissioners? Please present both figures clearly
and explain how the requested amount fits into the total budget.
The total event budget exceeds $100,000. The request to the Board of Commissioners is $5,000.
This funding would contribute toward essential event costs that help keep the festival free and
accessible to the public.
Please provide a narrative budget explanation describing what costs exist in the overall
budget and which costs the Board’s requested funds would pay for.
Event costs include infrastructure such as tents, staging, and safety measures; free art activities and
family programming; artist and community engagement initiatives; and accessibility efforts. The
requested funds would support these core components to ensure the event remains inclusive and
accessible.
Please describe all confirmed funding partners, matching funds, sponsorships, or in-kind
contributions, and specify the amount or estimated value of each.
The Orion Art Center relies on a combination of sponsorships, community support, and donations to
fund the event and its year-round programming. Specific confirmed partners and amounts were not
detailed in the proposal.
If contributions are not yet confirmed, please describe what is anticipated, what is pending,
and when decisions will be made.
Additional sponsorships and community contributions are anticipated as part of ongoing fundraising
efforts leading up to the August 2026 event.
If the Board does not fund this request, what would change, be reduced, or not occur?
Without additional funding, the organization may need to reduce event programming, scale back
free activities, or limit accessibility efforts, potentially impacting the overall quality and inclusiveness
of the festival.
Please explain the public purpose of the project in clear terms, including how Oakland
County residents will benefit.
The festival provides free access to arts and cultural experiences, supports local artists and small
businesses, and fosters community connection. It also drives economic activity in downtown Lake
Orion by attracting thousands of visitors.
Please explain what the County receives in return for the expenditure. If the request is a
sponsorship, describe recognition benefits. If the request is a program, describe program
deliverables and measurable public outcomes.
Oakland County will receive recognition through logo placement on printed and digital marketing
materials, inclusion on the Orion Art Center website and event pages, on-site signage, and verbal
recognition during event announcements.
If this request includes improvements to property not owned by Oakland County, please
explain who owns the property, who will control and maintain the improvements, and how
the public will have continued access to the benefit funded by the County.
The event takes place in public and community spaces in downtown Lake Orion. No permanent
property improvements are included in this request.
Please provide a clear implementation timeline with start date, milestones (if applicable), and
completion date.
Planning occurs throughout 2026, culminating in the event dates of August 27-30, 2026.
Please describe who will benefit from the project, including estimated number of Oakland
County residents served and which communities or geographic areas are expected to
participate.
Residents of Lake Orion and surrounding Oakland County communities will benefit, along with
visiting attendees. The event is expected to draw approximately 5,000–7,000 attendees per day,
including families, artists, and local businesses.
Please describe how success will be evaluated and what measurable outcomes will be
reported.
Success will be measured by attendance, community participation, artist/vendor engagement, and
the ability to provide free and accessible programming.
Please confirm that the organization will submit an outcomes report to the Board of
Commissioners by the end of the calendar year and describe what that report will include,
such as attendance, participation, services delivered, and resident impact.
Yes. The report will include attendance figures, participation levels, program highlights, and
community impact.
If requested, please confirm the organization will provide proof of expenditure, invoices, or
comparable documentation showing how Board funds were used.
Yes.
FISCAL IMPACT: Subsequent QR Budget Amendment Required
Committee members can contact Barbara Winter, Policy and Fiscal Analysis Supervisor at
248.821.3065 or winterb@oakgov.com or the department contact persons listed for additional
information.
CONTACT
Michael Gingell, Commissioner
ITEM REVIEW TRACKING
Aaron Snover, Board of Commissioners Created/Initiated - 5/21/2026
AGENDA DEADLINE: 05/07/2026 4:30 PM
ATTACHMENTS
1. Dragon_on_the_Lake_Proposal_OC
COMMITTEE TRACKING
2026-04-30 Full Board - Refer to Finance
2026-05-13 Finance - Recommend to Board
2026-05-21 Full Board - Adopt
Motioned by: Commissioner Michael Gingell
Seconded by: Commissioner Penny Luebs
Yes: Ann Erickson Gault, Michael Gingell, Marcia Gershenson, Robert Hoffman, Karen Joliat,
Christine Long, Penny Luebs, Gwen Markham, William Miller III, Kristen Nelson, Angela Powell,
Robert Smiley, Yolanda Smith Charles, Michael Spisz, Linnie Taylor, Philip Weipert, David
Woodward (17)
No: Charles Cavell (1)
Abstain: None (0)
Absent: Brendan Johnson (1)
Passed
Funding Proposal
Dragon on the Lake Festival 2026
Submitted to: Mike Gingell, Oakland County Commissioner
Submitted by: Orion Art Center
Funding Request
$5,000–$10,000
Organization Overview
The Orion Art Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the Lake Orion community for
over 40 years. Our mission is to provide access to creative experiences for all ages and skill levels
through classes, camps, outreach programs, exhibitions, and community events.
We operate two locations: a gallery in downtown Lake Orion and the Moosetree Studio in Orion
Township. Together, these spaces support year-round programming that serves hundreds of
individuals each month. As a small nonprofit, we rely on community events, sponsorships, and
donations to sustain our programming and expand access to the arts.
Project Overview: Dragon on the Lake
Dragon on the Lake is Orion Art Center’s largest annual fundraiser and a cornerstone community
event in downtown Lake Orion. The 2026 festival will take place August 27–30 and is expected to
attract approximately 5,000–7,000 attendees per day.
Dragon Boat races on Lake Orion
A juried art fair featuring over 100 artists and vendors
Chalk Art Challenge
Live music throughout the weekend from local musicians
The Little Dragon Den with free family-friendly activities
Food vendors and community activations
Dragon on the Lake brings together residents, visitors, artists, and local businesses, creating an
accessible cultural experience for the region.
Purpose of Funding
The requested funding will support essential components of the festival that ensure it remains free,
accessible, and engaging for the community.
Event infrastructure including tents, staging, and safety measures
Free art activities and family programming
Artist and community engagement initiatives
Accessibility efforts to keep the event open to all
Community Impact
Arts Access: Supports free and low-cost creative experiences for families and individuals
Economic Activity: Drives foot traffic to downtown Lake Orion and supports local businesses
Artist Support: Provides a platform for artists and makers to showcase and sell their work
Community Connection: Creates opportunities for residents to gather, celebrate, and engage
Proceeds from the festival directly support Orion Art Center’s year-round programming, including
scholarships, youth and senior classes, and outreach initiatives.
Recognition & Visibility
In recognition of this support, the Oakland County logo will be prominently featured across Dragon
on the Lake marketing and event materials, including:
Printed and digital advertising materials
Orion Art Center website and event pages
On-site event signage throughout the festival
Verbal recognition in event announcements during the festival
This visibility highlights Oakland County’s commitment to supporting arts, culture, and community
engagement.
Conclusion
Support will play a direct role in sustaining a high-quality, inclusive community event while
strengthening access to the arts across the region. This investment not only supports Dragon on
the Lake, but also helps ensure the continued impact of Orion Art Center’s programming throughout
the year.
Contact Information
Holly Nicosia
Executive Director, Orion Art Center
director@orionartcenter.org
248-941-2604