New Group Works to Create Connections for Arts and Culture

Northwest Michigan’s first Arts and Culture Summit was held February 11 at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. Approximately 70 artists, organizations, businesses and others in the creative sector came together to discuss opportunities to help strengthen the region’s creative sector and build a Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network. The Network will focus on taking arts and culture ”out of the box” by using creative resources to demonstrate economic impact, build partnerships, enhance communities, and strengthen the work that is already being done.

Topics discussed at the Summit included:

• Ideas and examples of creative collaborations at work in northern Michigan and beyond;
• Networks, resources, strategies, advocacy and partnerships that could benefit the creative sector;
• Tech tools, techniques, and hands-on learning to connect with colleagues, collaborators, fans and funders;
• Strategies & next steps to continue strengthening the network and moving forward.

A survey has been created to continue planning and building the Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network. The survey is available at nwm.org/arts. That web page also contains resource material and other information from the Summit.