Welcome to Episode 19 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, our host, Robin Miner-Swartz, talks to local artist Brian Snyder about his love of art and basketball and how they intertwined to make an exciting career that led to a life of travel, teaching, artmaking and so much more.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing announces a call for artists for a catalog of artwork to be available for purchase by Greater Lansing Food Bank (GLFB). Artists are invited to choose existing or new artwork that inspires the staff, volunteers and neighbors visiting GLFB office spaces in the distribution center. The frontline workers of GLFB want artwork that helps the space to feel energetic, innovative, nourishing and community-based.

Mayor Andy Schor announced today that a total of $83,750 was recently awarded to nine arts and cultural organizations that will be creating vibrancy and excitement in Lansing in the upcoming year. The City of Lansing’s Arts Projects Grants are funded through the annual City of Lansing Arts and Culture Grants program and are administered by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

Welcome to Episode 18 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with REACH Studio Art Center's founder and executive director, Alice Brinkman, along with incoming executive director, Melissa Keeley.

Mayor Andy Schor recently announced the 2023 City of Lansing Arts Impact Project awardee, Tamara (Tea) Brown. This is the seventh Arts Impact Project to be installed in the city and is a component of the City of Lansing Arts and Culture Grant Program, which will grant more than $150,000 to individual artists and arts and cultural organizations this year.

Welcome to Episode 17 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with musician Mikeyy Austin about his music, his love for Lansing and his belief that arts and culture drive everything and help create strong and supportive spaces that are for everyone.

We’re looking for a driven individual to help out as a CEDAM AmeriCorps member. As an AmeriCorps member, you’ll gain professional experience in nonprofits and community development, and also make a big impact in our community. If you’re looking for a year-long opportunity, apply today to be an Arts Council AmeriCorps membership coordinator. Your service will truly make a difference, right in your own community!

Join us on May 3, 2023 from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 4 and help us raise money for our Arts Advancement Fund. Help support the arts in our region during this fundraising challenge sponsored by the Community Foundation.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing announces a call for artists for a public art project, funded by public resources through the Lansing Board of Water & Light. The #ArtMovesREO project will be an art print as an on-going rotation of art installed on Washington Ave. on the southwest corner of the Central Substation. We are seeking bold, innovative images that will engage and reflect the community and serve as a welcoming beacon for travelers in and out of REO Town.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing announced today the launch of Young Creatives Mentorship, a unique one-on-one opportunity for Greater Lansing youth to work with professional artists in individual sessions that will offer guidance, resources and first-hand experience to aspiring artists.

The Arts Council proudly announces the Michigan Arts & Culture Round-2 Minigrant awardees for 2023. More than $9,000 was awarded to area artists and arts and cultural organizations.

The Arts Council announces their annual Young Creatives Billboard recipients for their 2023 campaign, funded in part through a partnership with Adams Outdoor Advertising. The billboards feature art by area K-12 students and will run on digital billboards for the entire month of March in and around the Capital Region.

Welcome to Episode 16 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with local photographer and filmmaker Petra Daher. They delve into Petra's 20-plus years as owner of Petra Daher Productions and how Petra's love of photography and film have led down a path of activism.

Listen to episode 15 of Arts Roll Call where we talk to artist Marissa Tawney Thaler. Marissa and our host, Robin Miner-Swartz talk about Marissa's unique journey as an artist, going from illustrator to creating murals and the importance of taking risks as an artist.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to announce their FY2023 fall grantees. Greater Lansing area artists and arts organizations will receive funding totaling $30,500 to conduct community arts projects, engage area youth and receive professional development that will support the work of the organizations they serve.

Lansing Board of Water and Light and the Arts Council announce Art Moves REO Town project to be installed at the REO Town Central Substation. Artist, Marissa Tawney Thaler's work was chosen for the first round of this rotating public art project.

Welcome to Episode 14 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with Melik Brown, better known as Metro Melik shares his passion for all things Metro Lansing.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to announce the City of Lansing's 2023 Arts Impact Project and Project Pitch. This project awards $75,000 for the development of a permanent creative structure that enhances a neighborhood's appearance. Learn how you can share your project idea!

The Arts Council Greater Lansing is getting ready to launch its annual Creative Placemaking Summit, and this year it has a whole new look and feel.

The Arts Council recently awarded $200,000 in FY2023 GRIT Grant funds. Nearly 50 applications were submitted and 43 grants were awarded to area artists and arts and culture organizations.

Work with us! The Arts Council is seeking a part-time administrative assistant to join our team. Get all the details and apply today. First preference is given to applications received by Sept. 16, 2022.

Welcome to Episode 13 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with interim WKAR general manager, Shawn Turner. They chat about WKAR's 100-year anniversary and the upcoming year-long celebration, "A Century of Service," and the upcoming community mural project with the Arts Council.

We are so pleased to celebrate our long-time donor, supporter and board member, Rachel Elsinga. She is a true lover of arts and culture and enjoys sharing that love with her family and her community. She cannot imagine any kind of life without the arts, and we totally agree with her! We are excited to share her answers to our questions about her connection to the arts and why she believes they are central to a thriving life and community.

Steph Hogan is a long-time artist member, cheerleader and spokesperson of the Arts Council who continually goes above and beyond to support and uplift our organization. We are extremely happy to feature her as our June Donor Highlight! She offers up some great insight on the arts in our region.

Welcome to Episode 12 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with sculpture and scrap artist, Andrew Sandstedt. They chat about Andrew's background as a growing artist in the Greater Lansing community and his thoughts on making art that's good for the environment and giving things a second chance.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing announces a call for artists for a public art project, funded by public resources through the Lansing Board of Water & Light. The project will be a public art print to replace art currently installed on Washington Ave. on the southeast corner of the Central Substation. We are seeking bold, innovative images that will engage and reflect the community and serve as a welcoming beacon for travelers in and out of REO Town.

We are so excited about our new GRIT Grants, and we are eager to help anyone who is interested in submitting an application. Let us help you with your grant! We have workshops, open office hours and other forms of support available.

This month's featured donor, Meeghan Holland, has a long history of supporting and engaging with the arts in Greater Lansing. She has plenty of memories to share along with lots of perspectives and advice on how to advance the arts and music in our region, encouraging everyone to get curious.

Episode 11 of our Arts Roll Call podcast is a delightful conversation between host Robin Miner-Swartz and ukulele artist Ben Hassenger. Learn more about Ben and watch this entertaining and dynamic interchange about music, connection, sharing and more.

Mayor Schor, the City of Lansing and the Arts Council of Greater Lansing joined with Eastside Organizations and artist Ivan Iler to celebrate the announcement of the Arts Impact Project! With support and feedback from the community, Iler developed a concept for a sculpture that will reflect the area to be installed at Hunter Park. The sculpture will add beauty to the park and create a sense of connection.

The “Support Young Creatives” Billboard Project and advocacy campaign, now in its eighth year, invites all Greater Lansing teachers who work in Ingham, Eaton and Clinton County school districts to submit student art for this annual competition. Selected youth art is then displayed on Adams Outdoor Advertising digital billboard space throughout the region for the entire month of March.

This month's donor highlight features Sue Mills, a former director of the Arts Council and avid supporter of the arts in our region. We asked Sue some questions about what the arts mean to her, and she beautifully shared her reflections on her time at the Arts Council and on what she loves about the arts scene in our region.

In episode 10 of Arts Roll Call, we talk with twins Louis and Max Boyang. They share their journey as young artists, their passion for creative expression and how they are using art to make change in the lives of children with cancer.

Mayor Andy Schor announces City of Lansing Arts and Culture Arts Project Grants totaling $87,500, which were awarded to seven Greater Lansing arts and cultural organizations. These grants are funded annually through the City of Lansing and administered by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing.

Welcome to Episode 9 of Arts Roll Call, the podcast for the Arts Curious. In our first episode of 2022, our host Robin Miner-Swartz talks with area artist, metal sculptor and Netflix sensation, Ivan Iler about his roots, his growing career and how to get noticed as an artist, and a city of the arts.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to announce it’s 2021/2022 “Art in the Sky” billboards, featuring the work of six Greater Lansing area artists.

Arts Council Greater Lansing is pleased to announce that they have been awarded a $250,000 American Rescue Plan grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Arts Council will use funds to create a regranting program to provide pandemic recovery dollars to the region’s arts and cultural sector.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing and Ingham County are pleased to announce the 2021 Ingham County Hotel/Motel Funds for Arts and Tourism grantees. This year, grant funds totaling $72,123.07 were distributed to area arts organizations.

The Arts Council is pleased to announce the 2022 fall grant recipients! More than $22,000 in funds were awarded for the fall grant cycle to area artists and arts organizations.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to announce the City of Lansing's 2022 Arts Impact Project Pitch Panel event. This annual project awards $75,000 for the development of a permanent creative structure that enhances a neighborhood's appearance and kindles community engagement in the City of Lansing.

Welcome to Arts Roll Call, the bi-monthly podcast that features Arts Council artists and arts organizations. This month in episode 8 of the podcast, we speak with local artist and muralist, Brian Whitfield.

Welcome to Arts Roll Call, the bi-monthly podcast that features Arts Council artists and arts organizations. This month in episode 7 of the podcast, we speak with board president of Friends of Turner-Dodge House, Michael Beebe.

Mayor Andy Schor and members of the Mayor’s Racial Justice and Equity Alliance (MRJEA) recently announced the completion of their report on Racial Justice and Equity in the City of Lansing. The Arts Council of Greater Lansing was honored to be part of the Arts and Culture workgroup and participate in this important project.

Welcome to Arts Roll Call, the bi-monthly podcast that features Arts Council artists and arts organizations. This month in episode 6 of the podcast, we speak with local artist, activist and entrepreneur Najeema Iman.

Greater Lansing’s attractions, recreational and entertainment facilities are inviting you to come play this summer.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to announce 2021 Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) grantfunding totaling $28,789 to be distributed to area artists and arts and cultureorganizations.

This week we had to bid farewell to a great friend and supporter of the Arts Council. She was an internationally known and well-loved leader in fundraising, board development and donor strategy and well respected in the nonprofit realm. She was also our consultant over the last year and had become a strong, welcome and honest voice in guiding the growth of our organization.

Welcome to Arts Night Out--Off the Map, a bi-monthly blog series where we share the insights and reflections of past Arts Night Out participants. Arts Night Out may be on a short hiatus, but it is still in everyone’s hearts. So, until we can gather again, we are taking it off the map and bringing it to you in small bites of memories from businesses around town.

Welcome to Arts Roll Call, the bi-monthly podcast that features Arts Council artists and arts organizations. This month in episode 5 of the podcast, we speak with local poet and founder of The Poetry Room, Masaki Takahashi.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing announces a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a new public art project in partnership with Provision Living Senior Communities. The project will be installed at 6350 Abbot Rd. East Lansing, MI 48823. This creation should tie back to the history of the Greater Lansing Area in hopes of providing a pleasant memory to community elders who may reside in our building or who are simply passing by.

In celebration of Youth Arts Month, the Arts Council is proud to feature our young creatives on billboards around the region for the month of March. With the support of Adams Outdoor Advertisting, the Arts Council is featuring the work of six talented area youth artists in its seventh annual campaign!

Welcome to episode 4 of Arts Roll Call. In this month's podcast our host, Robin Miner-Swartz spoke with local hip hop artists Ozay Moore and Anthony James-Player from All of the Above Hip Hop Academy.

Mayor Andy Schor announced second round of Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 Cityof Lansing Arts Project Grants totaling $42,500 were awarded to five local arts and cultural organizations. These grants are funded through the City of Lansing and administered by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing. 

Welcome to Episode 3 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz and Jessy Greg, discuss Jessy's many roles in the community, including artist, shop owner at Seams Fabric, City of East Lansing Mayor Pro Tem and also sits on the East Lansing' Arts Commission. They also look at the highs and lows of being a store owner during a pandemic, the importance of collaboration and so much more.

The City of Lansing and Arts Council Greater Lansing are proud to announce round-one FY2021 City of Lansing Arts and Culture Arts Projects Grants totaling $40,000 to two local arts and cultural organizations.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is excited to announce the launch of its 2020/2021 “Art in the Sky” billboards, featuring the work of six Greater Lansing area artists. Now in its 11th year, the billboard program was made possible through a successful collaboration with local business, Adams Outdoor Advertising and multiple partnerships with Arts Council member artists from across the Tri-County region.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing announces grant funding totaling $25,700 to be distributed to area artists and arts and culture organizations. Funding support is provided through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) Minigrant Program, the Arts Council’s Young Creatives and Artists in the Community.

Welcome to Episode 2 of Arts Roll Call--a podcast for the arts curious. In this episode, host Robin Miner-Swartz and Chad Swan-Badgero, founder and artistic director of Peppermint Creek Theatre Company and arts education program manager for the Michigan Council for Arts & Cultural Affairs, dig deep into the value of the arts, arts advocacy, the theatre community and how it is surviving during COVID, and that's just a few of the highlights. This episodes gets serious and silly, and we hope you love it.

Every year around this time, the Arts Council takes the opportunity to remind you all about the importance of shopping local and buying local art, fine crafts and arts experiences during the gift-giving season. This year, supporting our local businesses and our creative sector is especially important. Learn how it benefits us all!

Arts Council executive director, Meghan Martin, recently received a scholarship from Resch Strategies to attend to Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Lansing initiative, which offers leadership training and experiences to local community leaders.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing invites you to join our team! We are looking for an administrative assistant. Find more information, including job description and contact information here.

Earlier this week, the Arts Council announced our new program Arts Roll Call, a podcast/video cast featuring our members. Meet our guest for Episode 1, Artist Ryan Holmes as he talks about his life as an artist and arts educator in Greater Lansing and what that looks like during these times of change.

The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) recently announced the nonprofit arts organizations recommended for direct funding through the Corona virus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to share that it is one of 855 organizations, and one of 23 in the state of Michigan, to receive $50,000 in relief funding.

The National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter has approved more than $84 million in grants as part of the Arts Endowment’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2020. Included in this announcement is an Art Works grant of $10,000 to the Arts Council of Greater Lansing for the 2020 Creative Placemaking Summit. This is one of 1,015 grants nation wide that the agency has approved in this category.‍

The Arts Council recognizes the wealth of culture in our community, and as a community organization, we deeply value and uphold everyone's right to tell their story and share their history.

It comes as no surprise to us at the Arts Council of Greater Lansing to see our community facing this challenge with all the grit, strength and creativity it is known for. As we slowly emerge from this crisis, we will be proud of how we stood strong and supported one another.

Arts Night Out. If you haven't been, it is the perfect alchemy of arts, culture and business. It's a whole lot of fun, but it's also the Arts Council's way of supporting our artists and our awesome Old Town business community. We love to talk about it, so we invite you to pull up a chair and get ready for an Arts Night Out tale.

We miss you! We miss you stopping by our office, saying hello and telling us what you've been up to. We miss bumping into you at gallery openings, art shows, craft fairs and exhibitions. We miss seeing you at concerts and plays, dance recitals, poetry readings and open mics. We miss waving at you from across the street, across the restaurant, across the cafes and watering holes. Yep. We miss you. So we hatched an idea.

The times are uncertain, but creativity will get us through! Arts and culture are so important during times like these, and we are very fortunate to have an amazing arts community here in Greater Lansing. You all inspire us so much, and we want you to know that we are here for you--to support you in any way that we can!

We want you to be a part of our amazing advocates for arts and culture! Sign up for our Articulate Activators Network to learn about opportunities to keep art and creativity alive in our region and beyond!

It's been a year of exciting changes and growth at the Arts Council, and you helped us through all of it! We are going and growing strong thanks to all of the support and hard work of our staff, our board and our amazing members and arts community. We truly couldn't have done it without you. Take a look at our Annual Report for a snapshot of all that you helped us accomplish in 2019!

The Arts Council and Blue Owl Cafes are partnering up to support the arts for Arts Advocacy Month. If you love yourself a latte, a pour over or perhaps a cup of tea and you're also a champion of the arts, then get to your nearest Blue Owl and show your support with your very own "Support the Arts" sticker!

To celebrate Arts Advocacy Month, the Arts Council is excited to launch its second annual 32 Auction website! Now is your chance to purchase local art and support not only local artists but our area young creatives too! We love this campaign as the proceeds go to our Young Creatives Program and back to the artists as well!

The Arts Council's 2020 Support Young Creatives Campaign launches in March with the work of six Lansing-area youth artists whose work will be featured on Adams Outdoor Advertising digital billboards throughout the Greater Lansing region for the entire month. Original artworks were submitted by Greater Lansing area teachers and final pieces were selected based on composition and overall visual elements, including roadside appeal, as well as their combined representation of ages and regions.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor was joined this afternoon by the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and 2020 City of Lansing Arts & Culture Grant awardees. The group gathered beneath the Shiawassee Bridge in Rotary Park to announce $157,500 in 2020 Arts & Culture Grants.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing’s board of directors appoints Meghan Martin as executive director. Martin served as interim executive director since May 2019 and steps into her permanent role as the organization's leader effective immediately.

Kelly Hansen is a graphic designer, museum exhibit designer and painter. She believes that the creative process is therapeutic and enjoys experimenting with color, texture and a variety of mediums. In this exhibition, she uses acrylic paint on canvas to explore the relationship between a person’s outer appearance and their inner story.

Claude Johnson-Perry has loved making art since he was a child watching Bob Ross on TV. He loves making colorful work that inspires people to think about their own lives, love and dreams. His work will be on display at the Arts Council for the month of January.

Calling all Greater Lansing teachers. The Arts Council is accepting applications for our 2020 Support Young Creatives Billboard campaign and art exhibition! Deadline for submissions is Feb. 3, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. Don't miss this great opportunity to showcase your student's work! Support Young Creatives!

Lansing-based multi-media artist Sarah Hillman was born in Cape Town, South Africa, raised in Windhoek, Namibia, and moved permanently to Michigan after graduating high school. Her work is a celebration and reflection of the things she is passionate about and tell a story of meaningful moments in people's lives. Sarah works in a variety of mediums, including watercolor, digital painting, ceramic sculpture and ‘rock art.’

Come pitch your project for the Arts Council of Greater Lansing and the City of Lansing's 2020 Arts Impact Project. The chosen project will receive an award of $75,000 for the development of a permanent creative structure that enhances a neighborhood's appearance and kindles community engagement in the City of Lansing.

Call to Arts Council Artist Members! The Arts Council is seeking Artists for its Exhibit Wall for January - June 2019. Submit your application.

Wendy is an accomplished printmaker who has been making art for more than 40 years. She works in relief printmaking as well as surface design and dye-painted textiles and has printed chap books, posters and broadsides as well.

Nancy Aitcheson began painting as a young adult and works in oils and watercolor. She is inspired by still life, landscapes and people in everyday situations, and strives for interesting composition, and a colorful, loose approach to her pieces.

The Arts Council is currently accepting nominations for the annual Applause Awards, which recognize members and organizations in the community for their work in supporting, promoting and furthering the arts in our Greater Lansing region. Nominate someone today! Deadline is Monday, Oct. 14, 2019 at 11:59 p.m.

It is no secret that change has been in the air at the Arts Council over the last few months. We are very excited to announce that Taylor Rupp is stepping into a new role as we continue to move our organization forward in new directions.

Sarah Surface Evans is a life-long lover of art and creativiety. She paints and draws daily and especially loves working with India ink and watercolor.

Matt Mulford is a Lansing-area artist who works in a variety of mediums and subject matters. He is a co-owner of Peculiar Perspectives Studio & Gallery in Williamston and owner of Mulford Arts.

"City Pulse" and the Arts Council of Greater Lansing announce the 2019 Summer of Art cover series call to artists and application guidelines.

Changing times, strategic growth, new directions and new paths. Spring is bringing a great deal of change to the Arts Council, including a passing of the baton, as executive director Debbie Mikula annouces her new position in the community and the new interim Arts Council executive director.

Christine Beals is a local artist whose work is inspired by geometric shapes, quilt patterns and the beauty of nature. Her work will be on display at the Arts Council for the month of June and an opening reception will take place on June 7 from 5-7 p.m. at the Arts Council. The event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing proudly announces grant funding totaling more than $142,000 that was distributed to area artists and arts organizations in the Capital region.

Daniel J. Hogan is a Lansing cartoonist who works with inks and watercolors, and makes digital art as well. His focus is creating humorous illustrations that get a smile or a chuckle out of the viewer. His exhibition will be on display at the Arts Council through the month of May!

Marissa Tawney Thaler is a visual artist living in Lansing, Mich. She holds a BFA from Kendall College of Art and Design in Grand Rapids, where she studied Art Education and Illustration. Marissa’s work, often narrative in nature, uses primarily drawing media to achieve a “bittersweet aesthetic.” Often working in series, she aims to find the lighthearted side of struggles and moments of connection in everyday happenings.

Calling All Karaoke Aficionados and Friends! The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to announce Arts Night out Afterglo at UrbanBeat in Old Town! Join us as we present our first ever karaoke contest and afterglo party following Arts Night Out!

Call to Arts Council Artist Members! The Arts Council is seeking Artists for its Exhibit Wall for July - December 2019. Submit your application.

Each year during the month of March, the Arts Council Celebrates Youth Art Month with their "Support Young Creatives" billboard campaign and art exhibition. Youth Arts Month was launched in 1961 and emphasizes the important role of the arts in a child’s education and why all children deserve to have a quality arts education program included in their school curriculum. The Young Creatives Billboards and Exhibition will run through the end of March.

Throughout the entire month of March, the Arts Council's devotes its time toward advocating for the arts, planning at least 30 scheduled visits to municipal and school board meetings around the Tri-Counties. We invite you to join us and ARTiculate...raise your voice in support of the arts.

When creating her glass-scapes, Janice draws on her appreciation of the forms, motion and contrasts of the natural world. She expresses her creativity by combining assorted colors and handmade streaks and highlights of opaque, transparent and iridized glass, arranged in combinations using a genre she coined "Kinetic Balance." Her goal is to provide the viewer with a realm of order and calm that stands in contrast to the chaos of the external world.

The Arts Council of Greater Lansing is pleased to announce the release of its 2019-2021 Strategic Plan. The new three-year plan provides focus and guides the organization toward new goals, relationships and growth for the region.