Michigan Arts Orgs to Support | May 12, 2025
- John Sloan III
- May 12
- 5 min read
Living Arts Detroit and West Michigan Symphony
This week, we turn our attention to two more Arts Orgs. creating amazing work in Michigan. These two organizations serve music lovers and youth alike with great programming, education, and access.
Living Arts | Detroit, MI | www.livingartsdetroit.org | @livingartsdetroit
“Living Arts ignites creativity in the lives of Detroit youth through the performing, visual, and media arts. We envision a future in which all youth have access to engaging, high-quality arts experiences, so that they can lead with confidence and empathy, drawing strength from their cultures and communities.”
About:
Living Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in the heart of Southwest Detroit. Working at the intersection of art and learning, we provide a wide-range of arts experiences and arts-integrated education to students as young as 3 months (with caregiver participation) through 18 years. Our programming ranges from early childhood education to K-12 in-school artist residencies to robust afterschool arts classes, and more.
Living Arts centers our students and parents/caregivers in everything we do, and we provide ample opportunities for students to both lead and influence our programs. In addition to a formalized Teen Council, Living Arts also maintains a Parent Council. Parents and students are in the best position to articulate their specific needs and concerns, and our community-centric approach also includes Teaching Artists, staff members, Board members, and community members all of whom bring a wide-range of expertise to the organization.
VALUES
Working at the intersection of art and learning, Living Arts commits to the following fundamental beliefs:
Respect for Young People
Directed by youth voice, we honor the self-determination of young people of all ages and commit to the creation of meaningful exchange based on developmentally appropriate practice.
Respect For Relationships
In community with one another, we remain responsive to the visions that families, organizations, funders, and individuals bring to the work. We commit to co-creation with one another as we grow.
Respect for Artistic Excellence
Knowing that artists are uniquely positioned to develop young people and push challenging boundaries, we demand inquiry around the role of the arts as it intersects with education and community. We commit to the professional development and advancement of the teaching artist profession.
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION
We believe that true change can only be made at a systemic level. While there are many surface level things that can be adjusted or reformed, true change can only begin when we rethink the way we approach everyday situations.
To us, a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion means that we focus on making decisions that center what is best for the least protected member of our community. Equity can be found at the heart of our decision-making processes, as well as our actions, not only in day-to-day tasks, but in our long-term strategic plans.
We are committed to always asking ourselves, “Does this serve the Living Arts community? Does this serve the youth of Detroit as a whole?” If the answer to those questions is anything other than yes, we refocus and check back in with the community so we can discover, together, the best way forward.
While systemic change can be a slow process, it is deliberate. It is also ever-evolving and adaptive to the needs of the people we serve. While we work hard to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout our organization, we know that our work will never be done. Progress and growth must be continuous in order to effect change. This is a reality that we not only accept, but celebrate.
Ways to Support:
Living Arts offers many ways to get involved. Supporters can visit www.livingartsdetroit.org/donate
West Michigan Symphony | Muskegon, MI | westmichigansymphony.org | @westmichigansymphony
“We are a catalyst for a music-infused West Michigan: leading, facilitating, connecting and collaborating with the community to stimulate cultural vibrancy, inclusivity and pride of place.”
About:
West Michigan Symphony is an anchor arts organization headquartered in Muskegon whose cultural footprint extends throughout West Michigan. Its Music Director is Scott Speck, a dynamic yet highly approachable artistic leader beloved by players and audiences alike. His leadership has attracted and cultivated an ensemble of 60-plus professional musicians who travel from throughout Michigan and nine other states to perform with WMS. The orchestra presents an eight-concert season that includes classical masterworks and pops at the Frauenthal Center in downtown Muskegon.
Founded in 1939, the original symphony had 50 volunteer members and held its performances in area schools. In the late 1970s WMS moved its concerts to the 1,720 seat Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, which has been its home venue ever since. The Symphony’s compelling concerts, exceptional guest artists and far-reaching youth education programs contribute significantly to the fabric of our community.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, & INCLUSION
West Michigan Symphony is committed to building an organization that fosters diversity, equity and inclusion. We acknowledge and celebrate the 19th century European cultural heritage from which the symphony orchestra arises. At the same time, we believe the art form is renewed and enlivened by embracing multifarious cultures and influences, as it has done throughout its history. We will continually explore ways to reflect plurality, inclusivity and curiosity in our artistic programming.
We particularly recognize that Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPoC) and other under-represented groups have often experienced the Symphony as a foreign and unwelcoming environment. We commit to inviting them into an ongoing, active dialogue so that we can learn, grow, and change, making the Symphony a place where everyone feels invited and accepted.
We will strive to reflect these values throughout our organization. In our Board, staff and volunteer base, we will work for greater inclusivity in ethnicity and cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, disabilities, education, geography, and religion—thereby reflecting the rich diversity of the West Michigan community.
BELIEFS:
Music and the arts increase belonging and connection
DEI work is essential to achieving our vision of a music-infused West Michigan
We have historically been a majority-white organization and art form, and we are committed to becoming more inclusive
Through DEI work we will bring new repertoire, new voices, and new relationships to the table
GOAL I: Become a community leader in advancing equity and inclusion through advocacy, dialogue and partnerships
Increase engagement with and attendance by underrepresented audiences and neighborhoods. Develop and deepen relationships with organizations led by and/or reaching underrepresented people. Form long-term partnerships, especially with Black-led community organizations to co-create new initiatives.
GOAL II: Become a safe and welcoming organization that encompasses a plurality of voices and backgrounds, reflecting our diverse community
Increase participation and belonging of underrepresented people within board, staff and orchestra. Invite, engage and include diverse community voices in reshaping the organization. Support and participate in national initiatives that foster increased opportunities for musicians of color. Update recruitment, hiring and workplace policies and practices to maximize inclusivity and flexibility.
GOAL III: Offer an inclusive musical repertoire for a broad audience
Regularly feature BIPoC composers and artists throughout programming. Engage community to gather input regarding inclusive programs. Research and, where appropriate, tap into national initiatives elevating music by diverse composers, artists and crossover groups and projects.
GOAL IV: Increase access to instrumental and choral music and education, especially for underrepresented youth
Provide new and existing education programs and look for ways to remove barriers (cost, transportation, etc.) for underrepresented youth. Gather input and engage with educators and school leaders. Explore residencies, music camps to further inclusive commitments of our artistic mission with youth.
GOAL V: Make DEI an organizational value through ongoing learning, growing, questioning and applying
Conduct regular internal learning and application sessions, increase understanding of historical oppression nationally and regionally and how it impacts our community today, with special emphasis on its effect on access to music.
Ways to Give:
You can support The West Michigan Symphony Mosaic Youth Theatre by visiting westmichigansymphony.my.salesforce-sites.com/donate/?dfId=a0n3s00000TH7bnAAD
Do you work for or know of an organization that needs support? Use this link to submit them for the weekly feature.
