Our mission is to cultivate the creative potential of Michigan’s arts and cultural sector to enhance the health and well-being of Michigan, its people, and communities.
We do this through Advocacy, Capacity-Building and Strategic Communications accomplished in partnership with constituents, stakeholders and the broader community.
"TheFlint Institute of Arts (FIA)cut its teeth on hard times, opening as a community art school in 1928, a year before the start of the Great Depression. To raise money for its first acquisition as a museum, staff hung a small box next to a borrowed painting, and students and visitors were encouraged to donate towards it purchase...
...The FIA also continues to put a great deal of thought into the exhibits they host -- with the express purpose of appealing to ever wider audiences who will add energy and excitement to the institution. Its recent exhibit “Comics, Heroes, and American Visual Culture,” sponsored by the National Endowment of the Arts and the Mott Foundation, generated a surprising amount of visitor traffic. A companion exhibit, “Beyond the Frame: African-American Comic Book Artists,” was organized by the FIA in collaboration with John Jennings, a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and comic book industry artist Robert Stull.
“It’s a genius idea,” said Matt Osmon, a local high school art teacher and frequent gallery visitor who applauds FIA’s willingness to experiment with “crazy, young stuff.” TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE CLICK HERE
"Detroit's defunct Third Precinct police station could be converted into a community arts center for Mexicantown under a plan approved this morning by Detroit's Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.
Creative Arts Center LLC, an arm of the non-profit Southwest Housing Solutions social service agency, hopes to acquire the empty precinct station from the city for the $1.98 million project. The brownfield authority approved a Michigan Business Tax credit worth $195,000 today to help move the project along.
The City Council would have to approve the plan, and the city would have to agree to sell the building. If completed, the station would provide classrooms, studio spaces, and performance venues. Children, senior citizens, and others in the neighborhood would interact there with artists and performers."
"We're searching for NEW talent to join Michigan Dance Project!
Dancers ages 17 + are encouraged to audition. Must have solid technique and adaptable style. Rehearsals are every Friday night, and two Saturdays a month. The season is Sept - June. Performances are paid (as much as our budget allows...) and company members receive weekly class for free. Lots of other perks and fun opportunities! We also are looking for a few more apprentices (ages 15+).
If you're looking to enter the professional dance scene in Michigan, this is your chance!"
AUDITIONS: Thursday Aug. 20 & Friday Aug. 21 (only necessary to attend one date) 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Michelle's Academy of Dance 101 Appian Way, Suite 104 Brighton, MI 48116
"No cost to audition. Please arrive a bit early to fill out audition forms. Resume/headshot appreciated, but not required. Ballet, jazz & contemporary will be included in audition.
Feel free to send me a message with any questions! And please, pass on this info to any exceptional dancers who might be interested!!"
ArtServe is excited to be one of 75 organizations in southeast Michigan accepted by the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan to participate in the Community Foundation Challenge – Arts & Culture.This is an exciting opportunity for ArtServe to connect with loyal and new donors in support of its work to advocate for arts, culture and arts education in Michigan.And, it’s a way to leverage funding from the Community Foundation to support ArtServe’s efforts in the southeast Michigan region and statewide!
Like many of its non-profit partners, this year has presented financial challenges for ArtServe Michigan and the organization has sharpened its priorities where it can have maximum impact – leading statewide advocacy efforts, capacity building for artists and arts/cultural organizations, and strategic communications.ArtServe has also reduced its operational costs by over 25% and restructured its staff team to maximize its resources and build capacity for the future.
In the midst of these challenging times, we must strengthen our efforts to raise awareness of the importance of arts and culture in building vibrant communities and re-inventing Michigan’s economy for the future.This Challenge will help provide needed operating support so ArtServe can continue its efforts to engage and equip new advocates and supporters at this moment of opportunity as we are poised to influence new leadership with the 2010 gubernatorial election.You can make a difference by taking part in the Challenge!
The Challenge
Beginning August 18 at 10:00 a.m. the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, through the Community Foundation Challenge – Arts & Culture, is providing up to $1 million to match general operating gifts made online at www.cfsem.org to support participating arts and cultural organizations, including ArtServe Michigan.A match of $1 will be provided for every $2 contributed!
Take Action on August 18 at 10 a.m.!
Matching funds will be awarded on a “first gift, first match” basis.The matching program will end as soon as the $1 million of match funds are gone. With 75 participating organizations, the matching funds will go quickly!So mark your calendar to go to www.cfsem.org at 10:00 a.m. on August 18 to make a gift in support of ArtServe Michigan.
Gifts Eligible for Match
Starting August 18, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. gifts for the Community Foundation Challenge can be made online at www.cfsem.org to support ArtServe Michigan and other participating arts and cultural organizations.Through the Web site, donors can choose one or more organizations to receive support by using a simple menu to locate organizations participating in the challenge.Gifts must be made online by credit card or e-check and can range from $25 to $10,000 per contributor, per organization.Only completed gifts will be matched – no pledges.
Please Share the News
Please forward this e-mail to your friends and colleagues who care about the importance of arts, culture and arts education in Michigan.The Challenge is targeted to support arts and cultural organizations in southeast Michigan,but contributions made online at www.cfsem.org for ArtServe Michigan will also provide critical support for our work as the leading advocate of arts, culture and arts education across Michigan and its communities!Donations made online at www.cfsem.org for ArtServe Michigan on August 18 leverage funding from the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan in support of our statewide mission.This is a great opportunity to raise general operating support for the arts and cultural organizations in southeast Michigan and statewide!
For More Information
For more details on the Challenge, visit www.cfsem.org. If you have any questions or desire assistance with processing your contribution on August 18th, please contact Mike Latvis, ArtServe’s Director of Public Policy at mike@artservemichigan.org or 248-379-5897.
The Alliance of Artists Communities is accepting applications through August 15 for the 2010Midwestern Voices and Visionsawards– celebrating, supporting, and promoting the work of highly talented, yet under-recognized artists of color from the Midwest.
For more information, please view the announcement HERE
There are still FOUR more Saturdays in August left, for folks in the area to come out and enjoy! Simon
"ArtsNOVI and 12 Mile Crossing at Fountain Walk in Novi announce a new FREE Summer Sidewalk Series. There will be live music outside all 5 Saturdays in August from 4 - 7pm. There will be 2 -4 featured artists each Saturday with art on display and demonstrations. The last Saturday of the month August 29th will include a small art fair with all the artists who participated and then some. Everyone please bring a chair and join us on a Saturday or two in August!
Thank you, The ArtsNovi Board.
Music Lineup: Aug 1 - The Mess-Arounds (Blues) Aug 8 - Randy Brock Group - (Rock) Aug 15 - Gia Warner/ Bobby Lewis (Pop) Aug 22 - Grievous Angel (Americana) Aug 29 - Spangler/Tope Trio - (Jazz).
If you are an artist interested in being in the August 29th show email us at artsnovi@yahoo.com."
