The Latest
News & Stories from the
University of michigan
Arts Initiative
Student Mini Grants help U-M students turn bold ideas into reality
Student Mini Grants are turning bold ideas into unforgettable experiences—from haunted houses to art exhibitions, U-M students are bringing their creative visions to life with the Arts Initiative’s support.
Arts Initiative grants awarded to six research teams
The Arts Research: Incubation & Acceleration program has awarded grants to six faculty-led projects focused on topics ranging from the experiences of disabled communities to representations of plants and ecosystems in Great Lakes Indigenous artwork.
2025 by the Numbers: A Year of Arts Engagement Across Michigan
As the University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative closes out 2025, we’re reflecting with gratitude on the unforgettable arts experiences we created together this year.
Visual History of the Unions
Fourteen Stamps artists, graduating between 1982 and 2026, created new work about the history of the Michigan Union and League, as centers of university life.
Art Outta Town: How Shared Arts Experiences Help U-M Students Connect Beyond Campus
Art Outta Town trips—six free annual excursions offered by the University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative—give students access to unique off-campus arts experiences they might not otherwise have.
Historic board games = interactive pieces of art
We all had a favorite board game growing up. The University of Michigan’s Clements Library is highlighting familiar and unique toys and board games from throughout American history in their new exhibit, “For All Ages.”
UMich students explore the arts at Student Arts Org Fair
Student organizations focused on a variety of art forms tabled at the Student Arts Org Fair held on The Diag near the School of Kinesiology and Chemistry Buildings. Hosted by the University of Michigan Arts Initiative, the fair brought about a hundred students to explore the clubs.
Building creative community: Why U-M’s month-long Arts Festival matters now
The University of Michigan’s campuses are now immersed in the Michigan Arts Festival, a celebration through Oct. 26, 2025 to increase exposure, attendance and participation in the arts.
‘Between Voice and Silence’ opens at Duderstadt Gallery
"Between Voice and Silence" Opens at Duderstadt Gallery. Featuring a faculty-led project from Irina Bondarenko, supported through the Winter 2025 Arts Initiative Project Support (AIPS) grants.
Delving into the art (instead of science) of anatomy
The University of Michigan’s inaugural Michigan Arts Festival will shine a spotlight on the vibrant arts scene at the university and invites students, faculty, staff and the public to engage with the arts through over 100 events, many of which are free.
U-M launches fall Michigan Arts Festival
The University of Michigan’s inaugural Michigan Arts Festival will shine a spotlight on the vibrant arts scene at the university and invites students, faculty, staff and the public to engage with the arts through over 100 events, many of which are free.
PHOTO GALLERY — Scenes from Festifall on Central Campus
Thousands of students descended on Ingalls Mall on Central Campus on Aug. 27, 2025 for the annual Festifall, featuring a multitude of student organizations and vendors.
Arts Initiative launches ArtsRx to improve health, wellbeing
A broad coalition of University of Michigan arts and health units is launching Michigan ArtsRx, a new campus-wide program designed to support mental health and well-being through active engagement with the arts.
Momentum builds for inaugural Michigan Arts Festival
With just four weeks, excitement for the Michigan Arts Festival is mounting across the University of Michigan campus and beyond.
Michigan Arts Festival announced for fall
The University of Michigan will celebrate the beauty, wonder and delight of the arts across the entire university this fall during the inaugural Michigan Arts Festival.
(U-M Symphony) Band on the run; first tour since 1990s
The University of Michigan's Symphony Band is hitting the road for the first time in decades.
Eleven faculty projects receive U-M Arts Initiative support
The University of Michigan Arts Initiative has announced its winter 2025 recipients for the Arts Initiative Project Support grants, awarding funding to 11 faculty-led projects across the university.
Finding Her Voice: How One Student Found the Arts at U-M
University of Michigan student Allison Wei didn’t come to Michigan intending to study the arts. That all changed when she took a class her freshman year with poet, author, and professor Carlina Duan.
Symphony Band takes show on the road in statewide tour
The University of Michigan’s Symphony Band will embark on a 2025 State of the Arts: Symphony Band Tour, bringing the transformative power of music to communities across Michigan.
Arts Initiative announces 2025 Creative Careers Residents
The University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative has announced the 2025 cohort of its Creative Careers Residency — a pioneering transitional program designed to support emerging creatives as they move from academic study into full-time, professional creative practice.