Arts + Creative Industries Update - In the time of COVID-19 | View in browser
Support the local community of independent artists, creative workers and businesses whose art inspires and moves you. Financial support is still needed! Please make your gift to Creative Washtenaw Aid and show you care! ♥️
Congrats to the Arts & Cultural Project grantees!
Six organizations received grants in final round of funding for Region 9 that includes Hillsdale, Jackson, Livingston, Lenawee and Washtenaw counties. Creative Washtenaw administers this program on behalf of the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs (MCACA.) The minigrant applications are reviewed by a panel of artists, residents and organizational leaders from the region using criteria set by the MCACA.
The Arts & Cultural Projects minigrants provide support for the production, presentation and creation of excellent arts and culture programs that promote public engagement, diversity, lifelong learning and help to enhance the livability of communities.
Hillsdale County
Artworks of Hillsdale Inc. - $2,575, Hillsdale
Jackson County
Michigan Shakespeare Festival Inc. - $2,575, Jackson
Washtenaw County
Akshara - $3,000, Ann Arbor
Chelsea Area Festivals & Events - $2,750, Chelsea
Jewish Family Services Of Washtenaw County Inc. - $2,850, Ann Arbor
St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Inc. - $1,550, Chelsea
Michigan K-12 School $1,500 Arts Ed Equipment Grants
Rolling Grant Applications Closes April 16, 2021
Michigan K-12 schools are eligible for grants of up to $1,500 to pay for arts equipment (including repairs of arts equipment) or supplies being used within the classroom/school setting. Michigan K-12 teachers in any arts discipline may apply for the grant including creative writing, dance, film/video, music, visual arts and theater. Grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis.
Applicants must be an accredited Michigan preK-12 educational institution, public or non-public school, private school, home school, school district, intermediate school district/regional educational service agency or an accredited Head Start program.
Applicants may receive only one Art Equipment & Supplies grant per school building, per school year. In addition, the same school may not receive this grant in two consecutive years, so they should not apply.
Grants will only be awarded to one applicant per educational institution.
A certified teacher must be the primary contact.
Furniture or equipment that becomes part of the school building is not eligible. Visit our website to learn more or view the FY21 Arts Equipment & Supplies Grant Guidelines.
Tonight! CWHH #14 - 4:30 - 6 p.m.
All creatives are invited to our monthly gathering.
Join us to unwind, laugh and share in collective creativity
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 2021
4:30 – 6 p.m.
Join us on Zoom
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/
Dial in: 929-205-6099 | Meeting ID: 880 8785 0621 | Passcode: 524447
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/
Michigan Cultural Advocacy Network - Virtual Advocacy Day
March 11 & 12, 2021
Tell your legislators what you need! Interested in learning how to be a better advocate? Attend a series of regional Advocacy 101 Webinars that provide the tools to help you become the best advocate for the issues you care about. Locally elected officials will be joining the conversation and giving their advice on advocacy. Learn more here.
Thursday, March 11
9 - 10:30 a.m. Kickoff Webinar
During the kickoff, we will walk through all the logistics and talking points that will be discussed during the legislative meetings which will occur the following day.
Friday, March 12
8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Legislative Meetings
All meetings will be virtual. Each attendee will receive a link to be able to join the meeting prior to the event. Kelley Cawthorne will arrange all appointments with legislators for individual members of each association. Please note that legislative visits are sometimes difficult to secure and all visits are coordinated to the best of the staff’s ability. Make sure you register by March 1 if you plan to attend.
National Arts Action Summit - Americans for the Arts
April 5 - 9, 2021
Scholarship Application Deadline Feb. 29
Register for Individual Sessions
The National Arts Action Summit is a multiday event giving grassroots advocates crucial advocacy training from experts in the field and then put that training into practice during Arts Advocacy Week in meetings with elected officials. Hosted by Americans for the Arts in collaboration with dozens of national, state, and local organizational Partners, the National Arts Action Summit and Arts Advocacy Week is the largest gathering of its kind, bringing together a broad cross section of America's cultural and civic organizations.
Grassroots advocates across the country will convene digitally April 5-9, 2021, to learn the latest in arts policy through issue-specific briefings, advocacy trainings and networking opportunities. Over these five days, you’ll gain a depth of knowledge from policy experts at Americans for the Arts and many of our Partners. You’ll also be able to watch a recording of these webinars whenever you like to refresh your understanding of the issues. Session topics will include: arts and culture agency funding, arts education, tax policy, COVID-19 relief and recovery, the creative economy and many more!
We strongly encourage arts advocates that identify as, reside in and/or directly serve communities of color, rural populations and/or marginalized audiences to submit a request for a scholarship by Feb. 29 at 9 a.m.
There is a discount to both practicing artists in any artistic discipline and enrolled students. To access the discount code granting $50 off the National Arts Action Summit package, those who qualify need to submit a request to events@artsusa.org.
Michigan is the ninth leader in vaccine distribution nationwide
According to this Feb. 17 report from Click on Detroit, although many still are waiting to be vaccinated.
Washtenaw County Vaccine Update
Request a vaccine appointment from Washtenaw County here. You will be contacted as soon as possible, although it may take months to get an appointment.
As vaccine supply increases, officials will source to providers such as Meijer or pharmacies like Rite Aid, to function as distributors. Washtenaw County Health Department reports that there are not enough vaccines to schedule all those eligible at this time.
Essential Worker Organizations & Businesses in Washtenaw County that meet the 1B essential worker categories, the 1A health care worker categories or are looking for help with a senior independent living facility, skilled nursing facility or group home, fill out this organizational survey.
Not in Washtenaw County? Find your county vaccine registration information here.
Update on B117 Strain
There are now upwards of 157 cases of the B117 strain found across 12 Michigan counties, including Washtenaw County. The B117 strain, like others, is spread by droplets and aerosols. However, this variant latches on tighter than other strains and is more easily transmitted. Social distancing and avoidance of gatherings are strongly encouraged. Some experts recommend wearing two layers of masks or face shields for extra protection. According to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS Chief Medical Officer, Michigan COVID cases are dropping. As of February 17, only 3.9% of COVID-19 tests are coming back positive across the state, a percentage that has continued to decline in the past five weeks." (Hutchinson, D. (2021, Feb. 17). Click On Detroit.
Increase Your Chances to Schedule your Vaccine
Bridge Michigan put together a list of helpful tips that increases seniors and other essential workers' likelihood of finding a vaccination center and getting vaccinated. Many are having luck visiting Rite Aid for vaccines both in and out-of state. Visit Rite Aid's Vaccine Scheduler. If they don't have availability, do register and they will alert you when they have openings.
We can help you Navigate Federal Grants & SAM Registration
Need help applying for Federal Grants?
Not sure how to get a SAM number?
Confused about the Shuttered Venues application timeline and process?
Send your questions to info@creativewashtenaw.org We can help answer your questions and concerns so that you can be prepared to apply for federal grants, such as the SVO grant, which should be opening in the coming weeks.
National
SBA Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVO)
- Application still not open.
- SBA keeps changing definition for revenue (earned vs. earned and contributed)
- New FAQs added on Feb. 12.
Americans for the Arts' Guide to Preparing for the SVO Application:
If you or your organization does not already have a Dunn and Bradstreet DUNS Number, get one. The SBA just posted a DUNS and SAM Registration how-to video, watch here. Also, read the SBA's Cross-Program Eligibility Chart here.
- Use your DUNS number to register in the federal government’s System for Award Management (SAM). You can’t simply use a Taxpayer or Employer ID Number to apply for an SVO grant. (Note: It could take up to two weeks to finalize a SAM registration.)
- Gather documents that demonstrate your number of employees and monthly revenues so you can calculate the average number of qualifying employees you had over the prior 12 months.
- Determine your losses based on gross earned revenue and gross earned plus contributed revenue between 2019 and 2020 on a quarterly basis. Be prepared because the SBA keeps changing its definition of revenue.
- Make PDFs of additional information such as floor plans, contract copies and other evidence that will be needed to apply for an SVO grant.
- Sign up for a regional mailing list and webinar in your area and develop a direct relationship.
- Ask the SBA specific questions about SVO eligibility by e-mailing SVOGrant@sba.gov.
REMEMBER...
DON'T WAIT to register on System for Award Management (SAM) and obtain a CAGE#. It is important you go through the process until you receive your CAGE#. Completing this process can take days or more. This is also important for any NEA or federal grants that you may be applying for. You cannot apply for SVO grant and PPP Round 2 - You must choose one or the other. Decide which gives you the greater benefit. Applicants who have received a PPP round 1 before Dec. 27, 2020 remain eligible for the SVO grant.
Key Eligibility Guidelines from the Arts Action Fund provided by N. Tunceli (personal communication, Feb 19, 2001)
- Definition Eligibility: For live venue operators, producers, and live performing arts organization operators, you need to show that at least 70% of 2019 earned revenue comes from ticket sales, production fees, nonprofit education initiatives or sale of food & beverage.
- Minimum Loss Eligibility: For live venue operators, producers, and live performing arts organization operators, museums and movie theaters, you need to show at least a 25% reduction in gross earned revenue during at least one quarter of 2020 as compared to the corresponding quarter in 2019.
- Federal Grants Eligibility: For live venue operators, producers, and live performing arts organization operators, museums and movie theaters, you need to show that no more than 10% of your 2019 gross revenue comes from Federal funding. (This does not include CARES Act funding for things like PPP, etc)
- Priority Grants Eligibility: For live venue operators, producers, and live performing arts organization operators, museums and movie theaters, you need to show at least a 90%, 70% or 25% loss in earned income for the period from 4/1/20 through 12/31/20, as compared to the same period in 2019.
- Size of SVO Grant Award Eligibility: For live venue operators, producers, and live performing arts organization operators, museums and movie theaters in operation by 1/1/19, you can apply for 45% of your 2019 gross earned revenue, up to a $10 million cap.
Where to Stay Tuned
SBA SVO | National Independent
Venue Association (NIVA) | Creative
Washtenaw | Americans for the Arts | Arts
Action Fund Facebook Page | Check the
NIVA Resource page in the Member Portal for updates.
Americans for the Arts Action Fund Office Hours with Nina Ozlu Tunceli - Note: The Americans for the Arts webinar remains postponed until further notice. We will keep you updated.
Nina's COVID-19 Economic Relief Tips
How COVID-19 Relief Laws Impact Nonprofits - National Council of Nonprofits
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resource - an iterative, responsive project composed of five freelance producers and culture makers who produce webinars and resources to raise the collective knowledge body of freelance, unaffiliated artists in the U.S.
COVID National Resources for Artists, Creative Workers & Businesses
General Resources for Artists, Creative Workers & Businesses *Some organizations may still be offering COVID relief; please check their websites directly.*
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resource - an iterative, responsive project composed of five freelance producers and culture makers who produce webinars and resources to raise the collective knowledge body of freelance, unaffiliated artists in the U.S.
COVID National Resources for Artists, Creative Workers & Businesses
General Resources for Artists, Creative Workers & Businesses *Some organizations may still be offering COVID relief; please check their websites directly.*
Local, Regional & State
Michigan Music Alliance
Call for Artists: Raise money for artists. Perform a virtual set. Learn more here. Apply here.
Are you paying artists and creative workers a fair wage?
Working Artists and the Greater Economy (W.A.G.E) is a national program initiated and operated by W.A.G.E. that publicly recognizes those nonprofit arts organizations demonstrating a history of, and commitment to, voluntarily paying artist fees that meet our minimum payment standards. If you are interested in becoming W.A.G.E. Certified please read the guidelines below, use the Fee Calculator and then begin an application here.
Washtenaw and local
Michigan Works! Southeast provides a plethora of support, training and services for job seekers.
Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development in partnership with United Way of Washtenaw County, has launched a Financial Navigator program to help residents manage the financial impact of COVID-19. Financial Navigators provide one-on-one telephone assistance (at no cost) navigating critical financial issues and making referrals to other social services and resources. Click HERE to read more or call 734-677-7202 to talk to a Financial Navigator.
Michigan
Latest resources from the Restaurant Meal Program and Epidemic Orders.
Resuming Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
PEUC/PUA/PUC/PEUC Claimant Information
Claimants who did not exhaust their original 13 weeks of PEUC will be able to claim the balance of remaining weeks beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, 2021. Payments will include the additional $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefit.
Claimants who did not exhaust their original 39 weeks of PUA will be able to claim the balance of remaining weeks beginning with the week ending Jan. 2, 2021. Payments will include the additional $300 FPUC.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Extends and phases out PUA, a temporary federal program covering self-employed and gig workers, to March 14 (after which no new applicants) through Apr. 5, 2021.Provides additional weeks for those who would otherwise exhaust benefits by extending PUA from 39 to 50 weeks— with all benefits ending April 5, 2021.
Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (PUC): Provides all unemployment recipients with an additional $300 per week from Dec. 27 through Mar. 13, 2021.
Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC): Extends and phases out PEUC, which provides additional weeks when state unemployment runs out, to Mar.14 (after which no new applications) through April 5, 2021. PEUC provides additional weeks for those who would otherwise exhaust benefits by increasing weeks available from 13 to 24—with all benefits ending Apr. 5, 2021.
Federal
MDHSS resources, Restaurant Meal Program and Epidemic Orders.
President Biden's American Rescue Plan Details
SBA Debt Relief (for existing borrowers)
COVID Tax Provisions for Nonprofits Chart
With the aesthetic and intrinsic values of the arts + creativity at its core, creative:impact has a twofold purpose. First, to impress upon listeners the impact and interconnectivity of the arts + creative sector on our lives and community. Second, to tell that story through local artists and creative people – professionals, amateurs, students and industry experts leading the sector locally, nationally and internationally – those with creative practices, businesses and holding creative jobs in profit, nonprofit, educational and government entities. With deep connections to Washtenaw County, they make the greater Ann Arbor area one of Michigan's strongest and most vibrant arts + creative industry hubs.
Tune-in to creative:impact co-hosted by Deb Polich, president/CEO of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU's David Fair every Tuesday during Morning Edition at 7:49 a.m. and 9:49 a.m. Find archive editions here.
Before and after: visual artist Mia Risberg is resilient
Feb. 23, 2021 - Before and after COVID-19. It is how we mark time now. Mia Risberg joins "creative:impact" co-hosts Deb Polich and David Fair to talk about her visual artist practice before and after COVID hit, how she revitalized her work and found reward through the unlimited boundaries of the Internet. Hear her story here.
Formula 734 Project Offers Music, Direction, Mentorship and Opportunity
Feb. 16, 2021 - Jamall Bufford is a musician, rapper and DJ, and his energy impacts a number of young men through his work as project specialist at Washtenaw County My Brother's Keeper (WMBK). He joined creative:impact co-hosts Deb Polich and David Fair to discuss the importance of infusing art and creativity into youth development projects. The efforts have resulted in an album featuring a number of talented young people from Washtenaw County and a documentary film highlighting how the project offers a path forward. Listen here.
Pictured: Washtenaw My Brother's Keeper project specialist Jamall Bufford. Credit: Jamall Bufford and WMBK
Association for the Study of African American Life and History - Resources and Reading
Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matter for Nonprofits - National Council of Nonprofits
"Start Somewhere: How to start the Conversation with our Children about Racism" - Ann Arbor Family Press
"Meet the Man Who Created Black History Month" - CNN News
"Lift Every Voice and Sing" vocal performance by James Weldon Johnson
AADL Celebrates Black History Month - Ann Arbor District Library
"Local Community Conversation to Focus on Changing Our Stories to End Racism" - WEMU
"Celebrating Black History Month at the Tiny Desk" - NPR
The African American Cultural & Historical Museum of Washtenaw County Facebook Page and Archive
"Painter and Educator Shirley Woodson Named 2021 Kresge Eminent Artist" - Kresge Arts in Detroit
"U.S. voting rights activist Stacey Abrams nominated for Nobel Peace Prize" - Reuters
"Lives of the Poets" - Ann Arbor Observer
"Responding to crises: constructing a response through organizational change" - Jeff M. Poulin, Arts Education Policy Review
When questions are our best answers: responding to the impact of COVID-19 on community-based arts education organizations: a special issue of Arts Education Policy Review - Dennie Palmer Wolf, Arts Education Policy Review
"How to Talk to a COVID Denier" - Verywell Mind
"It's Not Just You. A Lot of Us Are Hitting A Pandemic Wall Right Now" - HuffPost Life
The COVID-19 Audience Outlook Monitor Survey
WolfBrown developed a worldwide tracking study of audience attitudes about attendance at arts and cultural programs during and after the COVID-19 Crisis. Find timely and essential data to the sector’s decision-making about when and how to resume programming here Audience Outlook Monitor.
Check out these additional AFTA COVID-19 Resources
The Economic Impact of Coronavirus on the Arts and Culture Sector - Dash Board
CAREs Act Table of Funding Opportunities for the Arts and Artists
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource and Response Center with constantly updated information for:
– For creative organizations & businesses
– For artists and creative workers
– For arts + creative education, including school openings and closings
– Field tools and research
– Equity and mental health- Reopening and resources
Enjoy programs and presentations from your arts + creative community
Tonight - Theatre NOVA's Play of the Month
4 Genres by Ron Riekki, Wednesday, Feb 24 at 8 p.m. on Zoom and available on demand for series pass holders through May. A hilarious comedy exploring the role of art in life and society. Tickets are $10, or $30 for a Series Pass. Learn more and purchase tickets online here. All proceeds benefit Theatre NOVA’s ongoing efforts to stay alive!
Tickets Still Available! Ann Arbor Summer Festival presents Scott Silven's The Journey
An awe-inspiring virtually transporting theater experience about storytelling and personal experiences. Presale begins Monday, Jan.18 and Tuesday, Jan.19. Performance dates run Feb. 23 - 28. Learn more here. A New York Times Critics Pick.
Penny W. Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series - Sophia Brueckner: Sci-Fi Prototyping and Critical Optimism
Friday Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. Learn more. Brueckner's projects challenge the norms of the tech community, whose work has enormous impact on our day-to-day lives, as well as translates the problems in ways that are understandable to the everyday user. All events will be webcast on Fridays at 8 p.m. (ET) at pennystampsevents.org and dptv.org/pennystamps.
Deadline Approaching - Call for Art!
The Guild of Artists & Artisans is calling all artists to submit work for "Anything Goes", an all media art exhibition in Gutman Gallery highlighting artists and artworks of all types and showcasing a variety of styles, techniques and media. Exhibition Dates: March 19 – May 1, 2021. Deadline to submit work: Feb. 27, 2021.
Wonderfool Productions - FoolMoon 2021
An annual celebration of the power of creativity and light in building community in Ann Arbor. With community art making beginning in March, an array of light-filled, public art will unfold across downtown Ann Arbor and culminate on Friday, April 9, 2021 through socially distanced experiences in town, at home, and online to spark wonder and delight for all ages. Learn more here.
Ann Arbor Symphony Announces Virtual Concerts at Michigan Theater
The orchestra will perform three concerts with full string orchestra at the Michigan Theater along with additional virtual chamber music performances paired with pick-up meals from local Ann Arbor restaurants. These performances will be recorded live without audience and will be available for on-demand streaming until June 30, 2021. Virtual concert passes can be purchased for $50 for households, and $10 for students. Purchase tickets here.
Cinetopia Film Festival's Local and International Films for Black History Month
Virtual black history month films includes 17 Blocks, which captures the story of a nine year old boy through his experience living just 17 blocks from the U.S. Capitol. Also included is Our Right to Gaze, a collection of six shorts, in which filmmakers gaze at themselves and their world, attempting to make sense of what they see reflected back. Peruse the list of screenings for international films and more.
The Ark Calendar of Events
The Ark has a brimming lineup of live-streamed events. Upcoming shows include George Winston, David Wilcox and the RFD Boys. Read their full calendar of events here. They also have started The Ark Family Room Livestream Series which you can learn more about here. Join David Grisman in a Mandolin Workshop on Feb. 28 at 2:00 p.m. Learn more and register here.
The Blue LLama Livestream Series
Featuring live-streamed 75-minute long concerts including meet & greets over Zoom. Learn more here.
Ann Arbor Society for Musical Arts 2021 Spring Concert Series - Wednesday Morning Musicales
Performances run March through May. All concerts begin at 10:30 a.m. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Kerrytown Concert House's Edgefest: Ann Arbor’s Premiere Avant-Garde Jazz Festival
Runs through March 26 every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Concerts are free and donations are strongly encouraged. Learn more here.
Michigan and State Theaters - Host a Private Screening
View film of your choice, maximum capacity in largest theater is 26 individuals. Fill out rental request form and learn more here.
National
Jim Henson Foundation Invites LOIs for Creation of Live Puppet Theater - RFPs - Deadline March 8
$7,000 production grants, $3,000 for development/workshopping, $4,000 in support of new work for children, families and teachers. To be eligible, applicants must be tax exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.Those without 501(c)(3) nonprofit status may apply through a fiscal sponsor. Learn more here. For an active searchable database of RFPs based on location, click here.
National Endowment for the Arts - Creative Writing Fellowships - Application Deadline March 10
The National Endowment for the Arts Literature Fellowships program offers $25,000 grants in prose (fiction and creative nonfiction) and poetry to published creative writers that enable recipients to set aside time for writing, research, travel and general career advancement. Learn more and apply here.
National Endowment for the Arts - Research Awards- Application Deadline March 29
The National Endowment for the Arts invites applicants to engage with the agency’s five-year research agenda through two funding opportunities for research projects: Research Grants in the Arts and NEA Research Labs. Learn more and apply here.
Ongoing - Mellon Foundation Announces Second Round of Art Museum Futures Fund Grants
One-third of U.S. museums are at risk of permanent closure. The Art Museum Futures Fund will offer grants to 14 small art museums with ties to community and social justice. Learn about grants and the application process here.
Ongoing - Herb Alpert National Relief Grants
The Herb Alpert Foundation supports several organizations and programs that directly support musicians, actors, nonprofits and arts + education programs. Read more about these organizations and their grant and relief offerings here.
COVID-19 Freelance Artist Resource - an iterative, responsive project composed of five freelance producers and culture makers who produce webinars and resources to raise the collective knowledge body of freelance, unaffiliated artists in the U.S.
COVID National Resources for Artists, Creative Workers & Businesses
General Resources for Artists, Creative Workers & Businesses *Some organizations may still be offering COVID relief; please check their websites directly.*
Local, Regional & State
Riverside Arts Center - Artist Residency Program Now Open
Riverside Arts Center is accepting proposals for residencies for sessions from as short as one week and up to five months. All fields of creative art are eligible to participate including music, dance film, plastic arts, visual arts, drama, writing, architecture, and emerging disciplines. Interested parties should submit the Artist-in-Residence Proposal form online, and provide Artist CVs, and work samples via email to info@riversidearts.org with “Artist-Proposal” and the proposer’s name in the subject line. In order to be considered, all materials must be received no later than midnight February 28, 2021. Learn more here.
Motown Musician Accelerator Program
Motown Accelerator is an education and grant initiative designed to help music communities level up and break out. Motown Accelerator hosts free public programming accessible to the entire community and also offers dedicated support to artists that have the capability of putting cities on the map as a factory for talent. Learn more about the application program open to Metro Detroit-based artists.
Michigan Humanities - $15,000 Humanities Grants
Humanities Grants emphasize collaboration among cultural, educational and community-based organizations and institutions in order to serve Michigan’s people with public humanities programming. There are two steps to this grant program. Find all the details here.
Now - March 2021 project proposal accepted and feedback provided.
March 18, 2021 - Final grant application due.
Michigan Humanities - $1,500 Bridging Michigan Grants
For Michigan nonprofits producing and presenting public humanities programs. Open until funds expended. Apply here.
Culture Source - Seeking Communications Director
The Acorn, Executive Director
Living Arts, Executive Director
Walloon Lake, Director, Director of Development and Communications
The Michigan WWII Legacy Memorial, Executive Director
Automotive Hall of Fame, Inc., Development Specialist
Detroit Riverfront Conservancy, Public Spaces Coordinator
Michigan Humanities, Programs & Communications Coordinator
Detroit Historical Society, vice president of philanthropy - Centennial Campaign Leader
Michigan Opera Theatre, Box office manager
Arts + Creative Advocacy & News
Artrain, Inc. and several other national, state and regional organizations have signed this document outlining a call for federal relief that will sustain the arts sector’s unique capacity to support the U.S. economy. Add your name by filling out this form here. Additionally, please sign this AFTA form urging Congress to sustain the arts and cultural sector.
Culture Source Webinar - New Findings on Arts Advocacy: How to Talk About Public Funding - Featuring Pam Breaux, President/CEO, National Assembly of State Arts Agencies. Mar. 4, 12:00-12:30pm EST, via Zoom.
NTEN's Equity Guide for Nonprofit Technology helps staff use technology strategically in racially equitable ways to meet their missions and community needs.
Read the February 2021 federal arts sector and COVID-19 relief package
Building Movement Project - Tools to Engage. This collection of tools can help your nonprofit center the leadership of those with lived experiences, engaging them as partners in building solutions for communities.
The National Council of Nonprofits drafted a letter to federal leaders asking to support nonprofit-specific grants, forgivable loans, refundable tax credits and a call for substantial financial aid to state and local governments. Sign the letter now! Join the 3,100 other nonprofits calling for relief. Once you've signed, share on social and use the hashtag #Relief4Charities
Help Nonprofit Advocacy efforts to secure legislative funding and guidance by completing the form on how COVID-19 has impacted your nonprofit.
2021 National Arts Action Summit - Join Americans for the Arts from April 5 - 9 to learn compelling up-to-the-minute data, the latest in arts policy and how to effectively engage decision-makers to support the arts, arts education and much more! We strongly encourage arts advocates that identify as, reside in and/or directly serve communities of color, rural populations and/or marginalized audiences to submit a request for a scholarship by Feb. 26, at 9 a.m. Register and learn more here.
SaveArtSpace 2021 Open Calls for Artists and Activists- submit impactful art for local and national placement on billboards and public art spaces in Denver, NYC, Los Angeles or Washington D.C. Varying deadlines January-March. Learn more here.
Be An Arts Hero - a grassroots campaign composed of arts & culture workers and unions encouraging officials to allocate relief to the arts & culture sector of the American economy. Join the Michigan Venue & Promoter Association here.
The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) is hard at work running the Save Our Stages campaign which includes over 3,000 venues pushing for legislation changes in Washington. Join NIVA here. Donate to the NIVA Emergency Relief Fund.
NonProfitAF - a mobilized support network for nonprofit leadership seeking information on funding, grant writing, donor relations, office culture and more. Bring your sense of humor - it's pretty witty! Learn more about their Happy Hours and community forums here.
#ArtsCreateHope Campaign - Spread the hope and stay informed about the great need of arts organizations during the COVID pandemic.
Make a donation to Americans for the Arts to sustain the arts in communities across our nation and help us bring tools, training, research and advocacy to a massive network of artists, administrators, leaders and educators who need them.
Learn about Michigan’s Coronavirus Racial Disparities Task Force working to increase data reporting transparency and reduce barriers to health care for impacted communities of color.
Why the arts + creative industries matter in Michigan
Why the arts + creative industries matter in Washtenaw County
Contact your Michigan legislators to encourage MCACA funding that is critical to the arts + creative industries.
Join the Arts Action Fund to advance the arts and arts education in your community and across the country.
It's FREE and takes just a minute. Add your name and be counted so Congress know there are millions of arts and creative workers, businesses and citizens who insist that arts and creativity are critical to our country. Join here for updates and calls to action.
Annual membership is free and your online benefits include:
- Membership to vote on the legislative policy platforms
- Breaking news and legislative alerts from the E-Advocacy center
- Quarterly updates through Arts Action eNews
- Exclusive access to the member's only Arts Action Fund PAC
WEMU 89.1 FM - Local news coverage plus local arts + creative coverage including Art & Soul with Lisa Barry, Cinema Chat with the Michigan Theater's Russ Collins and creative:impact with The Arts Alliance's own Deb Polich.
Bridge Magazine - Michigan's nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that provides passionate and rooted Michigan readers with honest, fact-driven journalism on the state’s diverse people, politics and economy.
All About Ann Arbor - offers local news, feature stories, restaurant news, sports news, latest events in town and more for Ann Arbor residents.
Concentrate Magazine - tells the narrative of Washtenaw County’s narrative people and businesses, new development, cool places to live, and the best places to work and play. The weekly online magazine is published Wednesdays.
For the fastest updates and breaking news!
- Follow The Arts Alliance on Facebook
- Follow The Arts Alliance on Twitter
The Arts Alliance’s COVID-19 Support Page
- Resources– including advocacy, support and affiliation agencies
The Arts + Creative Industries Guide
With links to creative members and businesses.
Featuring hundreds of artists, creative workers, businesses and ally members, this is your guide to what makes Creative Washtenaw, and the greater Ann Arbor area one of Michigan’s strongest and most vibrant arts + creative industry hubs.
Creative Washtenaw is the arts + creative industry authority in Washtenaw County. A regional agency, its mission is to support, assist, aid and act in the interest of artists, creative workers, organizations, businesses, educational and government entities to ensure that the greater Ann Arbor, Michigan, region remains a great place to create, live, work, learn, play and visit.
The intrinsic and aesthetic values of the arts and creativity are determining factors of success for Creative Washtenaw members. They include local artists and creative people – professionals, amateurs, students and industry experts leading the sector locally, nationally and internationally – those with creative practices, businesses and holding creative jobs in profit, nonprofit, educational and government entities. With deep connections to Washtenaw County, they make the greater Ann Arbor area one of Michigan's strongest and most vibrant arts + creative industry hubs.
Creative Washtenaw serves Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline, Whitmore Lake and Ypsilanti plus the 21 townships in the county. It is committed to, forever evolving and learning about diversity, equity and inclusion. This includes learning how its community defines the intrinsic and aesthetic qualities of art and creativity by the cultural expert, the credentialed scholar, the journeyed or self-taught master and/or the astute consumer of the form.
Creative Washtenaw is supported by its members, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.
For more information, please go to Creative Washtenaw or contact info@creativewashtenaw.org or call or 734-213-2733.
