A Few Words From Debbie Past, Present, Future…
Happy New Year!
January is such an exciting time of year at the Arts Council, as it kicks off our new membership season! It’s a time of reaching out to old friends and making new, and that’s what makes our organization, and our arts community, strong.
Over the past year, we have supported, strengthened and promoted arts, culture and creativity in the capital region like never before. Some of our 2016 highlights include: kicking off Arts Night Out and the subsequent monthly events in four Lansing-area neighborhoods–promoting over 250 artists in the first year alone; a new logo and branding for the Arts Council; granting nearly $275,000 to increase the scope and output of over 50 local creative projects; partnering on two placemaking projects that will influence the look and feel of the cities we live in; promoting seven local artist works on area billboards and 10 youth-inspired digital billboards; and placing six teaching artists in our area’s undeserved public schools.
We’ve also hosted four creative mixers, held our second annual Creative Placemaking Summit, and produced over a dozen smARTS and grants workshops, connecting and assisting over 750 individuals in Greater Lansing. And thanks to you, we are seeing the greatest levels of collaboration in our community yet. Because you believed in our work, change and progress for the arts is being made in Greater Lansing, and together we are leading the way.
We have big plans for 2017. Our board and staff are working toward increasing member opportunities and resources, exhibiting more member work, collaborating on more original projects and educational sessions and elevating our advocacy and programming for creative placemaking in the capital region, just to name a few.
We want you to continue to be a part of the Arts Council and join us if you aren’t already a member. Your membership allows us to better understand the needs of our creative community and the steps that must be taken to create more change and positive growth of arts, culture and creativity in the tri-counties.If you are already a member, we hope you will take this opportunity to renew. If you are considering joining – we will welcome you with open arms. And please, spread the word to your friends and colleagues.
Here’s to you…and making 2017 a year to increase your involvement in the arts and cultural scene.
Deborah E. Mikula
Executive Director