• To share engaging and meaningful artistic work and creative inspiration with broad audiences across the state of Michigan.

• To serve as a connector of ideas and people, while advancing the public service mission of the University of Michigan and its faculty.

• To build collaborative relationships with host arts organizations in Michigan, particularly in areas outside of Southeast Michigan.

The Faculty Arts Ambassador will engage in a series of community engagement events at multiple sites in Michigan, sharing the wonder of their art with a broad public audience and facilitating related participatory events that inspire creativity. These might include, but are not limited to: exhibitions, readings, talks, demonstrations or workshops, community co-creation or practice groups, tours, and other collaborative activations. The nature of these engagements will be tailored to the Ambassador’s arts practice and skillset.

The Ambassador will work closely with the Arts Initiative team to develop itineraries, connect with state partners, and design meaningful community exchanges. The Faculty Arts Ambassador will engage with 3–4 locations between January 1 and August 31, 2026 (or equivalent scope).

• $10,000 salary stipend for individuals that can also be divided among members of teams.

• Up to $15,000 (paid directly by the Arts Initiative) for logistical support: materials, fabrication, and collaboration costs, including shipping, transport, exhibition materials, workshop materials for any art activities; and an additional $5,000 for lodging and travel costs.

• Logistical, accounting, and marketing support from Arts Initiative staff

Applicants should provide:

1. A 1–2 page document that describes an arts-based community engagement project based in the faculty member’s or team’s creative practice. The document should identify explicitly how the proposed project meets the goals of the Faculty Arts Ambassador program and identify goals for how the public would be impacted by the project

2. An accompanying list of public engagement ideas that could connect the proposed project with audiences in Michigan.

3. At least three and no more than ten work samples, focusing on the type of work the faculty member(s) would present or activate during the ambassadorship.

4. Evidence of previous public engagement activities, including descriptions, accompanying materials, and photos or video documentation.

• Any member of the faculty of the University of Michigan with significant arts practice.

• All faculty are eligible; faculty may be tenured, tenure-track, clinical-/practice-/research-track, and lecturers with ongoing appointments.

• Faculty from the Ann Arbor, Flint, and Dearborn campuses are eligible.

• Faculty must be available during the award period – this availability might require administrator approval.

Please submit your application, including all required materials, through Slideroom, by October 1, 2025.

We look forward to seeing how your work can contribute to a dynamic and engaging cultural exchange across Michigan!

Application:

• September 8–October 1, 2025

• Notifications by October 31, 2025

Ambassadorship Period:

• January 1–August 31, 2026

• 3–4 locations / activations or equivalent

The Faculty Arts Ambassadors will reflect a balance of approaches and disciplines within the Arts Initiatives state engagements projects. Projects that activate new engagement activity, and/or activity that has not been previously funded through the Arts Initiative, will be prioritized. Applicants who are available during the period of the ambassadorship will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Quality of the proposed project.

• Potential for proposed activations to engage audiences meaningfully across a range of perspectives, deliver service to the people of the State of Michigan, and attract a broad public audience

• Evidence of public engagement experience of artist(s) involved