Initiatives

Washtenaw County Cultural Plan

The following are some of the major activities undertaken so far by the Arts Alliance since its founding in 2001:

CURRENT INITIATIVES

Community Cultural Calendar: We worked with the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, and website developer Internet Applications & Solutions, Inc. (IAS), to develop this ground-breaking calendar that lists nearly every cultural event occurring in the County. A private part of the calendar also helps local organizations plan major events to avoid conflicts for the local audience of supporters. Visit the Calendar
Creative Connections: Creative Connections is a monthly gathering for creative & cultural folks in our region. Locations change, but the time's the same: Mondays or Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Washtenaw County Artists' Census: This census was done in the spring of 2008 to better determine how many artists (visual, performing and literary) live and work in Washtenaw County. Having a more accurate count of the number of artists in our area allows us to give them the credibility they deserve. We’ll repeat the census again in 2010.
Washtenaw County Cultural Plan: The Washtenaw County Cultural Master Plan is the result of an 18-month, community-based planning effort that emphasized the participation of cultural, educational, civic, business, and government representatives from each of the county’s key population centers: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline and Ypsilanti. The plan reflects the direct input of nearly 5,000 Washtenaw County residents as captured in an online survey, an artists’ census, a study of the area’s creative economy, and the 29 interviews and community forums. The cultural master plan is a strategic vision of the future that includes 34 Actions to be implemented over a 5-year period.
Community Arts Facility: Information Coming Soon
ArtWalk: A walk through galleries, artists' and craftsmen's studios, and exhibition spaces in the greater Ann Arbor Area. The Arts Alliance acts as the fiduciary agent.
Horns for the Holidays: Horns for the Holidays is a program of the Arts Alliance that works to get musical instruments into the hands of young people throughout Washtenaw County who would otherwise be unable to afford them. The Arts Alliance acts as the fiduciary agent.

ONGOING INITIATIVES

Minigrants: Since 2003, the Arts Alliance has been the official re-granting agency for minigrants funded through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, for the counties of Washtenaw, Livingston, and Lenawee. As part of this work, we conduct seminars on grant application writing, and review and judge applications for the mini-grants in two granting rounds each year. For more information, see our Mini-Grants page.
Pigskins on Parade: In celebration of the Super Bowl in Detroit in 2006, the Arts Alliance and the Ann Arbor Area Convention and Visitors Bureau worked with local businesses and artists to decorate large footballs that were placed around downtown Ann Arbor. Funds received in excess of expenses went to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation to provide grants to arts agencies. This activity received a “Golden Paintbrush” Award from the City of Ann Arbor.
Cultural Leaders Forum: This gathers leaders from the major cultural organizations in the County, to share ideas, help each other with problems, and build collaborative activities.
Culturezone.org: This off-shoot of the main cultural calendar focuses on activities geared to children and youth.
Economic Impact Study: This study used extensive surveys in 2002 of the activities of local arts and cultural organizations, as well as of the spending habits of patrons at local arts events. Among our findings was that the total economic impact of not-for-profit arts and cultural organizations in Washtenaw County was $165 million in the study year, and that such organizations provided 2,600 jobs. Nearly 2.4 million people enjoyed various cultural activities in 2002, with visitors from outside the county saying the event was their primary reason for visiting the county.
Arts Space Survey: One of the strong concerns heard from local artists and cultural agencies is about the difficulty finding suitable and affordable space in which to create art and manage their work. Our study, based on a survey of local artists and organizations, documented a need exceeding 50,000 square feet in Washtenaw County, and found the major factors influencing space selection decisions. Following up on the study, we are actively pursuing opportunities to support the development of arts spaces in the County.
Regional Cultural Leaders Forum: This gathers county-wide cultural leaders from together to share ideas, help each other with problems, and build collaborative activities.
Candidates’ Survey: The Arts Alliance does an annual survey of candidates’ views on arts and culture. Candidates respond to the following two questions: (1) What is your position on public funding for arts and culture? and (2) If elected, what measurable actions will you take to ensure that arts and cultural offerings survive and thrive in Washtenaw County? Please be specific.