THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Arts Initiative
We're transforming the student experience, working across campus to spark ideas, innovate, and foster a more vibrant, joyful, friendly & just world through the arts.
A primary goal of the University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative is to make the word ‘art’ at the center of the university’s mission statement ring true.
We aim to inspire wonder and catalyze possibility in each and every Michigan student. Wonder can be found in many places and in many ways. It is a sense of awe when confronted by beauty. It is a sense of connection with an artist, maybe one from a different place across the globe or a different perspective close at hand. It is a sense of surprise or satisfaction when one’s own art making has led to insight or delight. Wonder inspires a sense of possibility. Possibility propels learning, research, and creativity to solve problems big and small. Wonder and possibility are deeply connected to the service mission of the University. To be the leaders and best, we need wonder and possibility.”
—Mark Clague, Executive Director
-
The U-M Arts Initiative seeks to illuminate and expand human connections, inspire collaborative creativity, and build a more just and equitable world through the arts. Underscoring U-M’s role in the arts ecosystem of the region, the Initiative’s core focus areas include:
Strengthening the student experience by expanding and integrating the arts in teaching and learning
Activating interdisciplinary discovery and arts research
Broadening and deepening partnerships with communities and the public
Building capacity and sustainability for the arts
-
The U-M Arts Initiative will make the arts central to the University’s identity and mission.
To achieve this, we will expand access to the arts on campus and beyond, activate them in student learning, and integrate the arts into research across disciplines. We will strengthen the arts ecosystem of southeast Michigan while also shaping national and global understandings of how the arts can lead social change.
Looking for our office?
Ruthven Building, Suite 1000
1109 Geddes Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079
Looking for our logos?
-
We’re happy to provide journalists & media outlets with interviews, expert quotes, and background on our programs or connect you to other arts communicators on campus if needed.
Please reach out to us at artsinitiative-media@umich.edu, and a member of our communications team will follow up with you directly.
IN THE NEWS
-
Proposals sought for Artists in the Archives program | November 18
What’s So Funny | November 12
Visualizing concussion experience through new research-informed mural | November 12
Uncovering the Financial Realities of Artists: The Artist Pay Project | November 11
Rhiannon Giddens named Arts Initiative’s first U-M Artist-in-Residence | November 1
Hey, We Need to Talk: Common Sense Diner at UMMA | October 22
Using the arts and ‘awe’ to guide public policy | October 17
Semester of ‘Gender Euphoria’ celebrates diversity through art at U-M | October 9
Culture of student voting fostered by design at U-M | October 1
No Safety Net: Pushing Boundaries in UMS's 24/25 Season | September 13
Democracy through the arts at U-M | September 5
Using art to aid well-being with Take Care programming | September 5
Arts Initiative supports arts partnership teams across U‑M campuses | August 26
U-M Library bringing book arts to Ann Arbor Art Fair | July 16
Arts Initiative names Mark Clague inaugural executive director | June 20
Machine Dazzle and his ouroboros of sustainability | June 12
Arts Initiative announces 2024 Creative Careers Residents | April 15
Painted pianos across Ann Arbor in celebration of Make Music Day | April 11
Drag scholarship takes center stage | April 11
Mural project offers arts access to science students | March 28
Transforming trauma into healing power through the arts | March 7
ISR to host residency in partnership with Arts Initiative | March 6
OVPR, Arts Initiative grants awarded to 14 research teams | February 23
School of Social Work to host featured artist residency | February 2
-
Arts Initiative set to launch campuswide artist residency | November 20
U-M announces Knight-Wallace Arts Journalism Fellowship | November 16
‘Respond/Resist/Rethink’ coming to all three U-M campuses | October 27
Proposals sought for new arts research funding program | October 19
University creates new position to oversee public art collection | October 13
Heather Raffo leads Student Creative Fellowship with fall residency | September 29
U-M Library offering free copies of banned books October 3-5 | September 28
Little Amal, symbol of human rights, heads to U-M | September 20
Arts & Resistance sampler | September 11
Arts & Resistance theme semester to engage campus, community | September 11
The University of Michigan Hosts First Arts & the Curriculum Symposium | September 2023
Clare Croft to direct expanded arts research effort | September 8
New, expanded roles announced for Arts Initiative leadership | September 7
Arts Initiative announces 2023 Creative Careers Residents | April 28
Arts Initiative, SMTD expanding student arts opportunities | April 11
Arts Initiative seeks proposals for Creators on Campus | April 3
XR technology team to serve 2023 Taubman artist residency | January 25
University of Michigan Arts Initiative receives $20M to impact campus, region through the arts | January 25
-
-
-
-
Campus arts initiative to ‘unleash imagination and creativity’ | October 3, 2019