Michigan Arts Orgs to Support | June 16, 2025
- John Sloan III
- Jun 16
- 3 min read
Plowshares Theatre Company and the Traverse City Dance Project, two incredible arts organizations in Michigan that value artistry, engagement, and creativity.
Plowshares Theatre Company | https://plowsharestheatre.org/ | @plowsharestheatreco
“Plowshares Theatre Company preserves, presents, and produces African American experiences that challenges minds and builds community.”
About:
Vision Statement
Founded in 1989, Plowshares Theatre Company seeks to set a national standard for ambitious programming, engaging with our audience, and serving as a leader within our community for the collective development of all. Our vision begins with the artist and ends with the audience. Our challenge is to nurture both.
Core Values
Plowshares Theatre Company brings to life passionate stories, plays and programs told through the prism of African American life, celebrating enduring themes that affirm, exhibit, and inspire our shared human experience.
Affirm
We share the story of our ancestors and pass the lessons learned on to the next generation.
Educate
We are a home where the most talented emerging and established artists imagine, nurture, and realize their best work for the enjoyment of our audience.
Inspire
Our productions, outreach, and education programs use theatre to unleash the untapped potential in all who experience our work.
New Griots Initiative
Plowshares Theatre is re-launching its annual play development initiative New Griots Festival, a multi-day festival showcasing the works of emerging and established African-American playwrights. The Festival will include plays in Plowshares Theatre’s 2019 development season, as well as new submissions to be juried by a panel of theatre artists.
Plowshares Theatre Company is looking for plays about African American men or women standing up to some person, idea, or movement.
Ways to Support:
There are many ways for an individual to support Plowshares. They accept donations of stock and matching contributions from employers, and also offer gifts in honor of a loved one. To explore the various options, visit Support Black Theatre in Detroit | Plowshares Theatre Company
Traverse City Dance Project | www.tcdanceproject.org | @traversecitydanceproject
“The MISSION of the Traverse City Dance Project is to produce and present professional dance in Northern Michigan, promoting collaboration among artists and actively engaging with the community. The Traverse City Dance Project is committed to expanding audience reach and ensuring inclusivity for all, recognizing the transformative power of the arts to unite, empower, and inspire communities.”
About:
VISION:
To be a leading cultural institution in Northern Michigan, renowned for its innovative performances, diverse programming, and commitment to community engagement and accessibility.
CORE VALUES:
Excellence in Artistry, Collaboration and Innovation, Accessibility and Inclusivity, and Community Engagement.
The Traverse City Dance Project traces its origins to a New York City rooftop in 2012, where professional dancers and choreographers Brent Whitney and Jennifer McQuiston Lott planted the seeds of their vision. Motivated by Brent's desire to bring top-tier dance back to his hometown of Traverse City, Michigan, they sought to foster a platform for professional dancers, choreographers, musicians, and composers alike. Drawing from Brent's personal journey, having been introduced to the arts at a young age and subsequently pursuing a two-decade-long career as a professional dancer, the project aims to ensure that the vibrant community of Northern Michigan can readily access and afford opportunities to experience the art of dance at its finest. Click here to learn more about Brent’s story and the formation of the Traverse City Dance Project. Learn more about our programs by visiting our website.
The Traverse City Dance Festival
Mission: Presenting professional dance companies from various corners of the country and making it accessible to the Northern Michigan community, fostering a shared passion for the art form through performances, community events, film showings, and workshops.
Ways To Give:
Traverse City Dance Project offers numerous opportunities for support, including their Gala in the Gardens. Visit Traverse City Dance Project for more information.
Do you work for or know of an organization that needs support? Use this link to submit them for the weekly feature.
