53% of creative workers became unemployed during the pandemic according to research by Americans for the Arts. While some creative nonprofits and businesses have reopened, many have not and cannot. Approximately half of organizations with in person programming remain closed to the public. In addition, research confirms that BIPOC organizations are more likely to report that they currently lack the funds they need to return to in person programming than non-BIPOC organizations (55% vs. 38%) You can make a difference right here in Washtenaw County by contributing to Creative Washtenaw Aid that goes directly toward restart funds for organizations trying to reopen. Help us reach our goal of raising $100,000. If you are seeking support, aid is still available!
Make a commitment to champion the arts + creative industries in Washtenaw County!
Add your name as a creative or ally member here. Both creative and ally members receive numerous benefits from membership. Click here to learn about benefits. First time/members students only $35.00 to become a member. $55.00 annually for continuing. By becoming a member, you are contributing to 25% of Creative Washtenaw's budget and providing critical funds that pay the costs of doing business.

Map courtesy of email correspondence from Nina Ozlu Tunceli
Explore the award grantee distribution by state using an interactive map that allows you to zoom in or out on a particular region. It breaks down awards by venue type, award percentile distribution and population. Explore the map here! The map will update so keep an eye on it!
Read the new SVOG FAQs, review the SBA’s weekly program report and explore the SBA’s weekly data list of the names of SVOG grantees, award amounts and locations. An updated list of SVOG grantees is posted on the SBA site here every Monday.
Are you a nonprofit arts organizations, local arts agency, arts service organizations, unit of state or local government or federally recognized tribal communities or tribe? You may be eligible to apply for American Rescue Plan (ARP) Funds. Don't wait! Apply by Aug. 12.
We are so grateful to those of you who volunteered as grant reviewers; we have reached a "quorum!" We are excited to welcome new and returning reviewers this year.
Arts & Cultural Projects Minigrants provide special opportunities to address local arts and cultural needs. These projects connect communities with the world by exploring, sharing and supporting creative expression. Learn more.
Professional & Organizational Development minigrants assist nonprofit arts and cultural organizations, artists, cultural specialists, administrators and educators with opportunities that specifically improve their management and/or bring the individual or the organization to another level artistically.
Find all the minigrant details here or contact us at info@creativewashtenaw.org or 734-213-2733 for more information.
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.
July 27, 2021 - Artist and curator Marcia Stegath Dorr traveled to Oman and discovered timeless culture, art, and craft virtually unknown to rest of the world. She has worked ever since to preserve Oman’s past and lift up its 21st Century artisans as the Consultant to the Ministry of Tourism of the Sultanate of Oman. Hear about Marcia’s journey on this edition of "creative:impact" with co-hosts Deb Polich of Creative Washtenaw and WEMU’s David Fair. Listen here.
July 20, 2021 - From her artist’s booth, Karin Wagner Coron had perfect view of the 2021 Ann Arbor Art Fair. In the second of this two part series, Karin paints a picture of her experience, how it went, what was the same, what was different and how it felt to be back on the streets selling art after a one year Art Fair hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Hear it all as she joins "creative:impact’s" co-hosts, Creative Washtenaw’s Deb Polich and WEMU’s David Fair. Listen here.
This summer, Neutral Zone offers six weeks of safe, socially-distant outdoor summer programs in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. All programs are free. Weekly workshops will run until Aug. 3 on one of the days of the week. Register for programs. Learn more about each program.
Concerts are Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. and free! Proceeds from donations will benefit Featured Performers and Riverfolk programming. Learn more about their show schedule here. Last show Aug. 5.
To participate in this year’s festival please use this form to register. We’ll email you a confirmation with additional information. If you have any issues with the registration form, please send an email to paintdexter@gmail.com. Deadline to register is Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021, at 5 p.m. Learn more about the festival on their page here.
Sounds & Sights Thursday Nights is back! This year’s abbreviated seven-week long summer concert series announced a 2021 line-up filled with an amazing variety of art and live music. Chelsea Area Festivals & Events (CAFE) is excited to welcome visitors back to Chelsea to explore its unique blend of music, arts, shops and dining. The complete schedule can be found at www.chelseafestivals.com or by following Facebook and Instagram handles @chelseafestivals. Sounds & Sights Thursday Nights runs through Aug. 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. throughout downtown Chelsea. Many business and restaurants are open before, during and after street events end.
This group exhibition addresses a diverse range of topics relating to the climate crisis, including climate refugees, species extinction, water pollution, sea level rise, overconsumption, erosion, river ecology and environmental myths. Participating artists include sculptor and mixed media artist, Nancy Cohen; installation artist, Kate Dodd; painter, designer and sculptor, Laura Earle; mixed media artist Tracey Easthope; installation and mixed media artist, Elizabeth Barick Fall; painter, public artist and writer, Susan Hoffman Fishman; multi media artist and designer, Gina R. Furnari; and printmaker, mixed media and installation artist, Leslie Sobel. The event runs through Aug. 28. Gallery hours Saturdays 6-9 p.m. and Sundays 3-6 p.m. Make an appointment here.
It's not too late to apply to Riverside Arts Center's Artist in Residence program. Space is open for clean media in our beautiful dance studio featuring a full wall of windows, two walls of mirrors, a bathroom and a separate foyer. Availability in May, June and July 2021. Learn more and apply here. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and will be reviewed the first week of each month. In order to be considered, all materials must be received no later than midnight the month preceding.
For more than a decade, Chelsea was a vibrant, energetic visual and performing arts community. As a result of the financial crisis in 2008, most of the brick-and-mortar art businesses closed. While there are fewer places and overt reasons to gather around the arts, the artists and boundless soul of creativity remain. That is the backdrop to how CAI emerged and took shape. CAI has created a public group Facebook Page for community creatives to share their stories, events, artistic ideas. Embedded in the Facebook Page is a Google Questionnaire to collect information about the creative community. The data will become part of a centralized "ART HUB" directory for all things cultural art—a first step toward advocating, unifying and strengthening Chelsea's cultural arts community. The vision includes engaging with the larger regional creative community, including Creative Washtenaw, to support Chelsea's Arts Community.
Downtown Manchester hosts artists, a vendors market, street buskers, live music, local dining, a petting zoo, hay rides, museum and more! Third Thursdays of the month through Sept. from 5 - 8 p.m. Learn more.
Visit Dexter's Facebook page here and Ann Arbor's here to keep up with market events and festivities.
Adrian Center for the Arts is hosting the Michigan watercolor society tour and have two workshops this fall. Workshop dates are Sept. 25 and Oct. 2 -3. Click here to register for the workshops. To view the watercolor gallery and learn more about the exhibits, click here.
Tuesday, Nov. 2, at 8 p.m. Reserve your tickets today! Click here to learn more about other upcoming live concerts.
Event listings and calendar postings are an exclusive benefit for CW members. We would be happy to welcome you as a member! If there is a specific event within a series that you would like us to include, please email us a press release or announcement at info@creativewashtenaw.org.
Click here for membership information.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the launch of the MI Shot to Win Sweepstakes, a new incentive program to encourage more Michiganders to get vaccinated. The sweepstakes will give vaccinated residents a chance to win a combined total of more than $5 million in cash and nine $55,000 college scholarship via a lottery raffle. Enter here.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) have launched the Michigan Small Business site to help small businesses navigate state programs and services available to help them recover from the pandemic. These programs are designed to assist employers fill job openings and provide safe, healthy work environments for employees. Learn more here. You can find an up to date resources list on legislation, business and financial information here.
Find Alan Brown's report on the latest audience survey results here.
Key Takeaways:
Watch the latest "Deep Dive" from exploring the Future of Digital Programming.
Find the latest S.E. Michigan Report here (courtesy of CultureSource.)
"Increased Funding for National Arts and Culture Agencies Passes Full U.S. House Appropriations Committee" - Americans for the Arts
"Tech as Art: Supporting Artists Who Use Technology as a Creative Medium" - National Endowment for the Arts
"Bette Midler and Joni Mitchell Are Among the Newest Kennedy Center Honorees" - NPR
"These Drama Students Trained for Years. Then Theater Vanished." - The New York Times
"The Moment to Invest in Arts Education" - New York Daily News
"What Michigan needs to know about the July 15 Child Tax Credit payments" - Bridge Michigan
"The State of the Folk and Traditional Arts 2021" - National Endowment for the Arts
"New California Budget Includes $150 million for Independent Music Venues" - Billboard
"10 Questions for Analyzing a Museum's Social Media Presence" - Upward Anthems Blog
"Artists and Entrepreneurs...Stop Wasting Time on Social Media!" - Upward Anthems Blog
2021-22 Great Michigan Read - "The Women of Copper Country" - by Mary Doria Russell
"Ypsi Writes: A Public Art & Writing Tour" - YpsiWrites
"Folk music venue The Ark to reopen in Ann Arbor on July 29" - All About Ann Arbor, Click on Detroit
"Michigan Invests in its Talent Ecosystem" - MEDC, Area Development
"Acclaimed Performing Artist and Educator Michael McElroy Named Chair of Musical Theatre" - School of Music Theatre & Dance, University of Michigan
The National Endowment for the Arts recently released guidelines and application materials for two programs to distribute American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds. These programs are open to nonprofit arts and culture organizations and local arts agencies, regardless of whether they have received NEA funding in the past. This is a change from previous emergency funding requirements at the NEA and significantly expands access to federal funds for the arts and culture sector. The NEA is offering Applicant Q&A sessions throughout July and August. Please click here to review dates and attend a session. Rescue Plan funding is still available through Grants to Organizations (Deadline: Aug. 12, 2021)
Before applying for Arts Endowment funding, you will need to obtain a DUNS number and register at SAM.gov and grants.gov. Registration can take several weeks, so you should begin the process as soon as possible. Guidelines, application materials and applicant resources are available here. Additional resources available here. For more information on American Rescue Plan Grants, click here.
Applicant Resources Landing Page
Applying for Federal Grants for the First Time?
Volunteer to be a National Endowment for the Arts Panelist
We invite artists of all ages and talents to submit their artwork between June 24 and Aug. 9, 2021. This is your opportunity to have your artwork on ad space in New York City with Al Díaz. Learn more and submit.
Deadline: Sept. 15, 2021. The FCA Emergency Grants COVID-19 Fund provides $2,000 one-time relief grants to offset unplanned losses incurred by artists who were anticipating income from ticket sales, artist fees, or other earnings related to a scheduled performance or exhibition unexpectedly canceled or indefinitely postponed because of the coronavirus outbreak. The focus is on support on artists making work of a contemporary, experimental nature. Applicants must be individual artists, or an individual representing an artist collective, ensemble or group. Learn more.
Arts Administrators of Color has created the Arts Leaders of Color Emergency Fund, which supports BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) artists and arts administrators impacted by COVID-19 through $200 microgrants. Learn more.
Behind the Scenes Grants are available to anyone working in the entertainment technology industry who has been hospitalized with Covid-19 and is in financial need. Applicants should be directly involved with production behind the scenes in any type of performance venue, behind the camera or on the road. Learn more and apply.
Please visit our website here for more listings.
A Complete Guide to 2021 Artist Grants & Opportunities | Artwork Archive
Tapping American Rescue Fund (ARF) State and Local Block Grants for the Arts
Grant Station - provides nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and government agencies with the opportunity to identify potential funding sources for their programs or projects as well as resources to mentor these organizations through the grantseeking process.
Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is pleased to announce a new funding resource for Michigan nonprofits with missions centered on furthering public humanities projects and programs. In order to assist organizations with recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, Michigan Humanities is providing emergency American Rescue Plan funding to museums, libraries, archives, historic sites and other humanities-focused nonprofits impacted by the pandemic throughout Michigan. Learn more and apply here!
Those who wish to participate in the upcoming film festival have from now until (at the latest) Sept. 30 to enter films for consideration. The AAFF offers around $22,500 in both cash and in kind awards each year. Additionally, awards from the AAF can help filmmakers qualify for Oscar Nominations by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ short film category. Check online for a complete list of possible awards. For more rules, information, and to submit a film to the festival, be sure to check out the Ann Arbor Film Festival website for more details.
Through competitive grants, Sphinx Venture Fund catalyzes initiatives designed to solve a challenge or an issue related to DE&I in the performing arts sphere, with an emphasis on classical music. Learn more and apply here. Apply by Sept. 30, 2021. The application is also now open for Sphinx LEAD, a two-year professional empowerment program designed to evolve the landscape of arts leadership. Learn more here.
The GIG Fund aims to support the arts throughout the Midwest by funding a variety of diverse performances across the region. Organizations must present performing or visual artists via at least two public events, which can be in person or virtual. The GIG Fund is a flexible grant of $2,500 that helps organizations bring touring artists into their community. Deadline to apply is Oct. 5. Learn more about timeline and application here.
The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) announced that Michigan is to receive its first phase of state funding from the American Rescue Plan. As far as direct grants to organizations, 60% of ARP funds will be distributed to nonprofits by the Arts Endowment. Stay tuned!
To receive updates on the NEA’s American Rescue Plan grant opportunities, please fill out this form.
Creative Capital - A nonprofit organization that supports forward-thinking and adventurous artists across the country through funding, counsel, gatherings and career development services.
Updated Resources List! For a complete list of local resources, please visit our updated list here. For resources beyond Washtenaw county, click here.
Living Arts Detroit - Director of Development
Arts Midwest - Office and IT Manager Positions
Riverside Arts Center - Manager of Operations
DPL Foundation - Manager of Education Initiatives
Arts Consulting Group - Executive Director, Newark Arts
Arts Consulting Group - Managing Director (A Contemporary Theatre ACT)
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis - Managing Director
College for Creative Studies - KAID Program Assistant
The Purple Rose Theatre Company - Assistant Production Manager
Interlochen Arts Camp, Artist in Residence, Animation
Art Ops, Director of Marketing & Arts Administration Associate
Ford House, Digital Marketing & Communications Coordinator
One America Movement - Michigan Regional Outreach Manager
Capital Region Community Foundation - Finance and Operations Associate
Michigan Opera Theatre, Director of Marketing and Communications
Click here to find our most up to date job listings.
Total charitable giving grew 5.1% on a year over year basis in 2020 (3.8%, adjusted for inflation), the latest edition of the Giving USA report finds. Produced by the Giving USA Foundation and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Giving USA 2021: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2020 (key findings, 5 pages, PDF) estimates that charitable giving totaled $471.44 billion last year, up from a revised $448.66 billion in 2019. Read Candid's report here.
There are a few spots available for individual organizations for a limited time. You can learn more about participating as an individual organization and register to participate here. If you have any questions about participating as an individual organization please contact Alan Kline at alan.kline@wolfbrown.com.
Contribute to Americans for the Arts' Database. Help create a database of projects that use American Rescue Plan block grants to support arts and culture by completing this form for Americans for the Arts. This database will serve to inspire others who want to do similar work in their communities as well as demonstrate to advocates, the media, legislators, and decision makers the vital role arts and culture play in our social and economic recovery. Please take five minutes and share your project. Here is the link directly to the database.
Since 2012, #InviteCongress has been a national field wide effort to encourage and empower museums of all types and sizes to invite their federal, state and local legislators and stakeholders in to the museum to see what museums are and do first hand while legislators are typically home during the month of August and other state and district work periods. With the 117th Congress underway, it is critical that museum advocates continue to make the case for federal, state and local support for museums to legislators. Click here to get started! Also check out American Alliance of Museum's Guide to Working with a New Congress.
Visit our website page here for Advocacy & Action facts, figures and recommended reading.
Encourage statewide elected officials to review and pay heed to the latest call for federal policy changes for nonprofits. To gain momentum, please consider forwarding to other advocacy and cultural leaders in the community. Read the July 21 letter. Visit our site here for more advocacy action items to review.
This past week, 55 national nonprofit organizations sent a letter to President Biden and congressional leaders identifying challenges charitable organizations continue to face and seeking support for urgently needed policy objectives that will enable charitable organizations to contribute to the nation’s relief, recovery and rebuilding.
Learn how to price your tickets for changed audience behavior due to COVID-19 and more! Click here to learn more and register.
Please sign this letter supporting "Rebuilding America's Arts Infrastructure" and share it with other arts organizations. Read the proposal here.
Rep. Leger Fernandez (D-NM) is planning to draft a bill that proposes an arts and recovery program. Language of the legislation has been drafted. To support this bill, sign this Endorsement of Creative Economy Revitalization Act. Click here to read the proposal.
Help create a database of projects that use American Rescue Plan block grants to support arts and culture. Please take five minutes and share your project. Please share this survey with others doing this work and let's build a robust database that changes hearts and minds. Here is a link to the form.
This new resource contains principles and recommendations that can be shared with state and local officials on the importance of working with nonprofits to restore local economies. It also offers nearly four dozen different models of programs that are being used across the country to provide funding for nonprofits to serve local communities. Click here to review!
Stand for the Arts Action Center - Visit their main site here to get involved and follow their robust advocacy, press and outreach initiatives.
Other Resources:
We've been monitoring a most helpful and interactive COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard that you can monitor for real-time updates as the state embarks on Michigan's "Vacc to Normal" plan. This Tracker includes vaccinations of Michiganders received both in-state and out-of-state, allowing the state to provide more comprehensive data on vaccination milestones as they are reached.
Visit Washtenaw County's central COVID-19 page with resources about vaccines, alerts, travel restrictions, case updates and more. Click here for a more detailed breakdown of cases and demographics. Not in Washtenaw County? Find your county vaccine registration information here.
Learn here about the free or low-cost rides in Washtenaw county.
Where to Get the COVID-19 Vaccine | Washtenaw County |
CDC Guidelines for Those Fully Vaccinated - How to Protect Yourself and Others
For a more comprehensive list, please visit our website here.
Visit here. This page is filled with helpful resources for all things IRS, SBA, official orders and more. A sampling below:
Ann Arbor Spark Microloan Programs
Michigan Works! Southeast provides a plethora of support, training and services for job seekers.
MDHSS resources and Food and Rental Assistance
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.
- 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 Creative Washtenaw'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.
- Follow Creative Washtenaw on Facebook
- Follow Creative Washtenaw on Twitter
Creative Washtenaw's COVID-19 Support Page
- Resources - including advocacy, support and affiliation agencies
- Aid, assistance and grants for artists, creatives and organizations - COVID-19
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.