These grants will support programming centered around a book from the NEA Big Read Library, with the goal of inspiring meaningful conversations, celebrating local creativity, elevating a wide variety of voices and perspectives, and building stronger connections in each community.

Community programming during this cycle of the NEA Big Read is focused on the theme “Our Nature.” Using their book selection as inspiration, grantees will offer book discussions, writing workshops, and creative activities that explore our relationship with the physical environment. In addition, all NEA Big Read grantees are hosting an event in celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Grantees are from 33 states, plus D.C. and Puerto Rico, with 38 percent of the recipients receiving their first NEA Big Read grant this year. Each NEA Big Read grantee will receive a matching grant ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 to support their project.

The NEA Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest.

Photo Credit: Julie Umberger

Organizations interested in applying for an NEA Big Read grant in the future should visit Arts Midwest’s website for more information; guidelines will be released in Fall 2025.

The post Announcing the 2025-26 NEA Big Read Grantees appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Now in its 22nd year, Shakespeare in American Communities is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest. The initiative brings high-quality Shakespeare productions and educational activities to communities across America, with a new addition this cycle: theater apprenticeships for early-career professionals.

“Investing in apprenticeships today helps ensure the theater field has the talent and expertise it needs for the future,” says Arts Midwest President & CEO Torrie Allen. “By pairing the timeless works of Shakespeare with hands-on training, we aim to help young people build the real-world skills that will support lasting careers.”

Grants were awarded through three distinct tracks:

• $447,500 to 17 nonprofit theaters offering apprenticeship programs for early-career administrators and technicians working across theater sectors.
• $435,000 to 18 professional theater companies partnering with schools to present productions and education programs rooted in the works of William Shakespeare.
• $171,300 to 7 nonprofits providing theater education for students in juvenile justice settings.

Shakespeare in American Communities: Aprenticeships

Grants to supports paid apprenticeships for early administrators and technicians working at theaters throughout the United States.

Shakespeare in American Communities: Juvenile Justice

Grants to support theater education programs in juvenile justice facilities that illuminate the works of Shakespeare and addresses his work in modern context.

Shakespeare in American Communities: Schools

Grants to support performances of Shakespeare and related educational activities for students from five or more schools.

The post Announcing the 2025-26 Shakespeare in American Communities Grantees appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Dear valued member of our community,

On Friday, many active and pending grants from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) were abruptly terminated. This comes alongside the president’s proposal to eliminate the NEA entirely in the FY26 federal budget. Together, these actions will have devastating impacts on communities throughout the country. 

We at Arts Midwest, along with the national collective of US Regional Arts Organizations, strongly urge Congress to restore the grant funding in support of the arts, culture, and creativity that was passed during the last budgetary approval process, in addition to maintaining its broad bipartisan commitment to funding the NEA in next year’s budget. As the landscape of support for our cultural infrastructure continues to be eroded, we remain steadfast in our commitment to stand with you in defending and preserving our nation’s artistic and cultural agencies. 

When Congress passed the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965, it declared that “the arts and the humanities belong to all the people of the United States.” Since its inception, the NEA has played a critical role in broadening access to the cultural, educational, and economic benefits of the arts in every Congressional District. In fact, federal arts funds support thousands of communities across the nation, including 678 counties that private foundations do not reach. 

Collectively, the NEA, Regional Arts Organizations, and State Arts Agencies serve thousands of communities across the country. And yet this work is funded by just 0.004% of the federal budget—less than 62 cents per American per year. 

This low-investment, high-return model is a shining example of good government—federal funds are successfully leveraged many times over by states and private funders to increase the impact of public dollars. Federal dollars don’t replace private investment—they attract it. 

Without seed support by the NEA, many states, cities and towns would struggle to secure the additional public or private funds that enable them to deliver programs that serve their constituents. And sadly it is rural communities, which often lack access to private funding sources, who will be disproportionately impacted by a loss of NEA funding and will lose the power to shape their own cultural infrastructure. 

The NEA is critical to ensuring that every citizen, in every corner of our vast country, receives the economic, cultural, civic, educational, and health benefits of the arts and creativity. Now is the moment to act to fully restore the NEA and its fellow cultural agencies, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute of Museum and Library Sciences (IMLS), so that they can fulfill their congressional mandate and ensure that communities across the country benefit from the many advantages that arts engagement provides. 

Thank you for all that you do to support arts, culture and creativity in your community. We stand shoulder to shoulder with you and all of the advocates fighting to ensure that your vital work continues for generations to come.

In solidarity,

Torrie Allen, Arts Midwest President & CEO

Christian Gaines, Creative West (formerly WESTAF) President & CEO and USRAO Chair

Todd Stein, Mid-America Arts Alliance President & CEO

Juan Souki, Mid Atlantic Arts Executive Director

Harold Steward, New England Foundation for the Arts Executive Director

Susie Surkamer, South Arts President and CEO

Shannon Daut, USRAO National Director

Important Actions for Current NEA Grantees 

If Your NEA Grant Has Been Terminated 

Here are some resources to support your appeal: 

• What to do When Your Federal Grant or Contract is Terminated (National Council of Nonprofits)
• Sample Appeal Documents (Film Festival Alliance) 
• Guidance for NEA Grantees Facing Termination or Withdrawal of Funds 

To submit an appeal, email grants@arts.gov and provide documentation that your project supports one of the NEA’s priorities, projects that: 

• Elevate the Nation’s HBCUs and Hispanic Serving Institutions
• Celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence
• Foster AI competency
• Empower houses of worship to serve communities
• Assist with disaster recovery
• Support Tribal communities
• Foster skilled trade jobs
• Make America healthy again
• Support the military and veterans
• Make the District of Columbia safe and beautiful
• Support the economic development of Asian American communities.

Many of the cancelled projects likely provide health benefits for participants. If you plan to appeal based on the health priority, here are some resources related to arts and health that may help: 

• Arts Engagement as a Health Behavior (University of Florida)
• The intersection of art and health: How art can help promote well-being (Mayo Clinic)
• Ground-breaking research series on health benefits of the arts (WHO)
• Lancet Global Series on the Health Benefits of the Arts (The Jameel Arts & Health Lab) 
• Arts and Health (NEA)
• The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the  Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community

If Your NEA Grant Has Not Been Terminated 

Out of an abundance of caution, we strongly urge all grantees to stay current on reimbursement requests and to submit final reports as quickly as possible. 

Speak Up for Federal Cultural Funding 

If you’ve benefited from NEA support or seen the impact of public funding for arts and culture in your community, now is the time to share your story. Hearing from constituents helps legislators understand the real-world value of the National Endowment for the Arts.

Reach out to your Senators and Representatives to let them know:

• What public funding for the arts looks like in your community;
• How federal support for the arts has helped you or your organization;
• Why continued investment in the NEA, NEH, and IMLS matters.

Your voice helps ensure that every community can continue to benefit from the educational, cultural, and economic power of the arts. Need a place to start?

• Use this tool to find your legislators.
• Check out nonpartisan templates from Americans for the Arts

Get Involved in National Campaigns

Below are additional national campaigns and advocacy tools you can use to speak up for federal cultural funding. 

National Endowment for the Arts: 

• Americans for the Arts – Save the NEA
• Americans for the Arts Action Fund – Arts Action Center
• Americans for the Arts’ National Pulse Survey (Deadline: May 9)

Institute of Museum and Library Services 

• American Alliance of Museums – Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Campaign
• American Library Association – Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) Campaign

National Endowment for the Humanities 

• National Humanities Alliance – National Endowment for the Humanities Campaign
• Federation of State Humanities Councils – National Endowment for the Humanities Campaign

About the US Regional Arts Organizations

The United States Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs)—Arts Midwest, Creative West (formerly WESTAF), Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid Atlantic Arts, New England Foundation for the Arts, and South Arts—are a collective of six nonprofit arts service organizations committed to strengthening America’s infrastructure by increasing access to creativity for all Americans. The USRAOs partner with the National Endowment for the Arts, state arts agencies, individuals, and other public and private funders to develop and deliver programs, services, and products that advance arts and creativity. Together, the USRAOs work to activate and operate national arts initiatives, encourage, and support collaboration across regions, states, and communities, and maximize the coordination of public and private resources invested in arts programs. In 2024, they invested over $33.6 million across the United States and Jurisdictions, through nearly 3,000 grants that reached more than 1,300 communities. Learn more at usregionalarts.org.

The post U.S. Regional Arts Organizations Joint Statement on the National Endowment for the Arts appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Funded by The Wallace Foundation and administered by the United States Regional Arts Organizations, Cultural Sustainability is designed to strengthen small arts organizations by providing flexible funding. The program supports organizations that serve as cultural anchors in their regions, fostering creativity, connection, and belonging through their work.  

Over the next 15 months, grantees will take part in virtual learning workshops, engaging in peer networking and quarterly check-ins with Arts Midwest staff. These opportunities will help organizations strategize for the future while continuing to create spaces that uplift artistic expression, community engagement, and cultural preservation.

This opportunity is part of The Wallace Foundation’s Advancing Well-Being in the Arts initiative, which funds arts organizations rooted in communities to advance their well-being and enhance understanding of their contributions to community. Through this work, Wallace hopes to help to build a more equitable and sustainable arts ecosystem.

Photo Credit: South Asia Institute

Photo Credit: Rock The Rez

Photo Credit: Colectivo Luchart

Photo Credit: Miikanan Gallery – Watermark Art Center

Meet the Midwest Cultural Sustainability Grantees:

825 Arts (St. Paul, Minnesota)

Since 2016, 825 Arts has been a catalyst for change in St. Paul, Minnesota’s Rondo and Frogtown neighborhoods. We celebrate diversity through inclusive arts programming, bringing together artists, elders, youth, and nonprofits to promote healing and growth, and by providing a permanent creative home for our community.

Bi-Okoto Drum & Dance Theatre (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Bi-Okoto, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, creates performances and educational experiences to help audiences of all ages and backgrounds engage with and bridge cultural gaps. Our mission is to preserve and share the heritage of Africa by using traditional arts as an educational tool to promote cultural awareness in communities globally. We use authentic African culture-based theatre, music, drums, dances, cooking, languages, and clothing to accomplish this.

BIPOCA Incubator and Gallery (Fort Wayne, Indiana)

BIPOCA (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Artist) Incubator and Gallery, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, uplifts and promotes the work of BIPOC artists and creatives whose contributions have historically been excluded, overlooked, or exploited. We advocate for greater representation and support for BIPOC artists and creatives in our communities. We are committed to addressing systemic barriers and ensuring equal access to resources and opportunities.

Black Alphabet (Chicago, Illinois)

Black Alphabet NFP, located in Chicago, Illinois, is a nonprofit organization operating at the intersection of art, media, wellness, and social justice. We empower and uplift Black LGBTQ+ individuals through creative expression and advocacy. Our flagship event, the Black Alphabet Film Festival, provides a platform for amplifying the stories of Black LGBTQ+ individuals, showcasing films, and fostering conversations around social justice, representation, and mental health.

Cante Waunsilpi Wi Ta Ominiciye / The Kind-Hearted Women’s Society (Rapid City, South Dakota)

The Kind-Hearted Women’s Society is an Indigenous-led nonprofit organization centering its work on arts, culture, and community empowerment. We revitalize Lakota cultural practices and empower Native women and girls in Rapid City, South Dakota, and neighboring reservations. Our programs provide a safe, culturally grounded space for participants to reconnect with their heritage, heal from trauma, and develop leadership skills through artistic and cultural expression. Rooted in Lakota traditions and guided by the wisdom of our elders, we believe in the transformative power of the arts to nurture the next generation of leaders.

Colectivo Luchart (Iowa)

Colectivo Luchart is an Iowa City-based Latinx artist collective focused on fostering diversity and empowering minority artists. Our goal is to create a creative, strong, and resilient Iowa. We have collaborated with over 50 artists across the state and continue to support more artists as they grow individually and collectively.

Detroit Lit (Detroit, Michigan)

Detroit Lit is committed to providing literary, creative, and professional development opportunities for narrative makers of color in Southeastern Michigan. Our work is guided by core values of empowerment, equity, and community building. We envision a literary world where all writers of color in Detroit feel supported, nurtured, and able to thrive in their writing careers from their home city.

Fonseca Theatre Company (Indianapolis, Indiana)

The Fonseca Theatre Company amplifies the voices of underrepresented communities in Indianapolis, Indiana, through purposeful theater and civic engagement. We create responsive programs that inspire conversation, inform the community, and illuminate the challenges and beauty of our world. We produce plays, programs, and events by and about the global majority, including AAPI, Black, Disabled, Latino, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

Fuerzas Culturales Ballet Folklorico De Cedar Rapids (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)

Fuerzas Culturales, which translates to “cultural forces,” is a traditional Mexican Ballet Folklorico group based in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Our mission is to empower youth through dance. We strive to promote exercise, leadership, and cultural pride in our students. Our program is free to participants, ensuring that children can participate regardless of socioeconomic status. We aim to share our dances throughout Iowa, highlighting the diversity in our community.

Indigenous Association (Fargo-Moorhead)

The Indigenous Association’s mission is to connect, unite, and empower the Indigenous community of Fargo-Moorhead. We create a safe and inclusive space reflecting the dignity and diversity of our community. Through collaboration and capacity building, we sustain programs focused on education, awareness, advocacy, and respect to support future generations.

Masa Center (Battle Creek, Michigan)

Masa Center is led by and committed to our Chicanx/Latinx community in Michigan. We are driven by four pillars: community-based land practices, sustainability, creative education, and community celebration. Our programming, such as Masa’s Emergent Leadership Program, builds mentorship and community for youth, centering Indigenous perspectives and creativity.

North Dakota Asian-American Arts and Cultural Initiative (Bismarck, North Dakota)

North Dakota Asian-American Arts and Cultural Initiative creates platforms for artistic expression, cultural equity, and community engagement in North Dakota. We champion conversations and practices to ensure everyone has access to a healthy and vibrant creative life.

Oh Sew Powerful (Cleveland, Ohio)

Oh Sew Powerful fosters community engagement and empowerment through transformative sewing programs. Founded in 2020 and led by African Americans, we primarily serve the underserved African American community in the Lee-Harvard neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. We use sewing as a catalyst for public cohesion, economic independence, and personal empowerment.

Racing Magpie (Rapid City, South Dakota)

Racing Magpie, a Lakota-centric arts and culture organization in Rapid City, South Dakota, centers the Lakota practice of being a good relative. We elevate the work of artists and culture bearers through affordable studios, a Native art gallery, cultural programming, and creative community spaces.

Rock the Rez (South Dakota and Minnesota)

Rock the Rez is a 5-day music camp for Indigenous youth who identify as girls, two-spirit, or part of the LGBTQ+ community. We teach skills to enhance self-confidence, empowerment, music, and arts education. For six years, we have hosted Rock the Rez on the Pine Ridge Reservation and expanded to the Rosebud Reservation two years ago. In 2025, we will host camps in Lower Sioux, Leech Lake, and Minneapolis Minnesota, where we will hold our first full urban camp.

South Asia Institute (Chicago, Illinois)

South Asia Institute in Chicago is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and presenting South Asian arts and culture through thought-provoking exhibitions, vibrant artistic programs, and innovative educational initiatives. We strive to connect with our larger human family by introducing them to the richness and widespread impact of our traditions and culture.

TBEY Arts Center (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

TBEY Arts Center provides high-quality arts education and creative opportunities for underserved youth in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 2000, we empower young people through the arts, fostering creativity, confidence, and personal development.

Ukwakhwa (De Pere, Wisconsin)

Ukwakhwa reclaims and revitalizes traditional Haudenosaunee agricultural practices to empower the Oneida community. We teach planting, growing, harvesting, and preparing traditional foods, alongside crafts like seed keeping and tool making. Every act of planting a seed is an act of resistance and sovereignty.

Watermark Art Center (Bemidji, Minnesota)

Miikanan Gallery is the first Indigenous art gallery in the Northwoods region. Located at the Watermark Art Center in Bemidji, MN, we are part of a hub for creative arts serving nine counties and three Ojibwe Nations. We are committed to supporting Ojibwe creativity and cultural resources as a means to address social and economic challenges.

Youth Art Team (Waterloo, Iowa)

Youth Art Team brings together students from diverse life situations to complete exceptional works of public art through a process that values student voices in decision-making. The mission is to encourage youth to develop their creative potential, empowering both personal and social change through lifelong, intentional relationships and art.

The post 20 Small Midwestern Arts Organizations Receive Cultural Sustainability Grants appeared first on Arts Midwest.

World Fest, which has been serving small Midwestern communities since 2003, will come to a close following this spring’s tours. Throughout the last 22 years, World Fest programming has reached more than 750,000 people, including 550,000 youth through more than 300 public performances and 3,000+ educational events. We’ll have even more to celebrate in May when tours wrap up – and we’ll have plenty more reflections to share about World Fest’s decades of impact. 

Over the last year, Farah Siraj, LADAMA, and A Moving Sound have spent time getting to know communities across the Midwest. As this cycle comes to a close, it’s giving us a chance to look back on high points of their tours so far. 

Photo Credit: Lynnsey Williams

Farah Siraj

In Portsmouth, Ohio during their residency with the Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, Farah Siraj and her band had the opportunity to connect with university choir students. Singers from Shawnee State University, adjoining to the auditorium, spent their week rehearsing with Farah. Farah’s songs, fusing Arabic music, flamenco, jazz, bossa, and pop, with lyrics in Arabic, Spanish, and English, challenged the university singers to sing in new ways. Then, the choir capped off their exchange by joining the band onstage for their public concert at the end of the week, including a collaboration on Farah’s original song “See the World.” 

Photo Credit: Juicy Vizualz

LADAMA

In Freeport, Illinois, LADAMA worked with our partners at the Freeport Art Museum to reach community members. The band, with members from Venezuela, Colombia, and Brazil, connected with local Spanish speakers at schools and during other community outreach. At the museum that week of the band’s visit, the “Midwest Lands” exhibition featured “unique visual and literary art … [that] focuses on farmland, rural landscapes, and the aesthetics, psychological, and emotional content of these themes.” From the Midwest to Latin America, the world felt a little smaller during the week of LADAMA’s visit through shared language, music, and conversation.

 

Photo Credit: Green Owl Media & Photography

A Moving Sound

In Custer, South Dakota, A Moving Sound connected with the Custer Area Arts Council for their week-long residency. Among their many outreach workshops that took the band through the scenic Black Hills, the group also had the opportunity to sit down and jam with local musicians. After a shared meal, a mix of polka, bluegrass, and Taiwanese musical tradition made for an unforgettable experience for all.

Spring World Fest Tour Dates

Photo Credit: Grace Richardson

Photo Credit: Jennifer Robistow

Photo Credit: Katie Dotson

Photo Credit: Val Ihde

Photo Credit: Suncast Studios

Photo Credit: Janet Eckles

Photo Credit: Cassidy Porter

The post Catch World Fest Artists in Your Community This Spring appeared first on Arts Midwest.

“Being selected for these programs is both an honor and an incredible opportunity,” shared Arts Midwest President & CEO Torrie Allen. “We are excited to leverage these resources to make innovative improvements, expand our reach, and deepen our impact across the Midwest.” 

Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator Program 

The Bloomberg Philanthropies Digital Accelerator Program helps cultural organizations across the U.S. and U.K. strengthen technology and management practices to improve operations, drive revenue, increase fundraising, engage broader audiences, and deliver dynamic programming. 

With support from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Arts Midwest will embark on a transformative technology project to expand online resources for the arts field. Planned additions to our website include a grants database, a jobs board, and a research hub. These tools will accelerate learning, connection, and opportunities for Midwestern communities and arts organizations.  

Communications Officer Alana Horton will serve as a Bloomberg Tech Fellow, leading the project’s implementation over the next two years. 

Arts Midwest joins a cohort of 200 nonprofit cultural organizations representing diverse artistic disciplines across 52 U.S. and 28 U.K. cities. Over the past three years, this program has catalyzed growth for nearly 150 cultural organizations.  

Early results from the first cohort include an additional $20 million in new revenue, engagement with over 1 million new audience members, and collaboration with more than 4,000 new artists and partners. 

Report for America Accelerator Program 

Report for America’s Accelerator Program builds on their success in helping over 400 newsrooms collectively raise $30 million since 2017. As one of 37 newsrooms selected for this pilot program, Arts Midwest will receive coaching and training to diversify revenue streams by fostering local philanthropic support.  

Participating in the Report for America Accelerator Program will support Arts Midwest’s Creativity News Desk. This storytelling initiative highlights the creative voices and vibrant cultures of the Midwest, offering a fresh perspective on the region.  

Development Officer Emma Bohmann, Development Manager Aleeh Schwoerer, and Managing Editor Angela Zonunpari will collaborate with Report for America staff over the next year, gaining insights into innovative funding strategies to ensure the sustainability and growth of the Creativity News Desk. 

 “Since our program started, we’ve seen firsthand the impacts of helping newsrooms tell their stories to deepen community understanding and support,” says Morgan Baum, Director of Local News Sustainability at Report for America. “Our new accelerator program is a springboard to financial stability, helping newsrooms not just survive but thrive and grow.” 

Looking Ahead 

Arts Midwest is honored to be part of these transformative programs, which align with our commitment to amplifying Midwestern arts and creativity. Stay tuned for updates on these initiatives! 

The post Arts Midwest “Accelerates” Thanks to Two Capacity Building Programs appeared first on Arts Midwest.

“We are deeply grateful to Jasmin, Craig, Jane, and Gregory for their vision and commitment to Arts Midwest during their Board service,” said Torrie Allen. “Their leadership and expertise have helped us navigate moments of growth and change and we thank them for helping to shape Arts Midwest’s future. We are thrilled to continue connecting with them as Emeritus Board members.” 

Jasmin DeForrest

Jasmin DeForrest

Jasmin DeForrest joined the Arts Midwest Board in 2022. She currently serves as the managing director of Creativity at The Heinz Endowments. She is responsible for leading the Creativity portfolio at the Endowments through designing, implementing, and assessing the impact of the grantmaking strategy while building an extensive community network to help produce a thriving arts scene.

A Detroit native, Jasmin’s career in arts, culture, and program development includes serving as senior director of Arts and Culture at the Detroit-based Gilbert Family Foundation, where she worked prior to joining the Endowments in 2024. Her professional experience also includes community sponsorships director for the Rocket Community Fund, a sister organization to the Gilbert Family Foundation, and special events director at The Parade Company, which presents and promotes America’s Thanksgiving Parade in Detroit.

Dr. Craig Howe

Dr. Craig Howe

Dr. Craig Howe joined the Arts Midwest Board in 2022. The founder and director of the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS), he earned a Ph.D. in architecture and anthropology from the University of Michigan.

Howe has authored articles and book chapters on numerous topics, including tribal histories, Native studies, museum exhibitions, and community collaborations. He has developed innovative tribal histories projects and creative museum exhibitions, lectures on American Indian topics across the U.S., and provides professional development and cultural awareness training to schools and organizations.

Howe was raised and lives on his family’s cattle ranch in the Lacreek District of the Pine Ridge Reservation, where he is designing and building Wingsprings, an architecturally unique retreat and conference center that is featured in New Architecture on Indigenous Lands. He is a citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Jane Rasmussen

Jane Rasmussen is a leader and advocate for the arts in South Dakota and in her home community of Sisseton, located in the Lake Traverse Reservation. She joined the Arts Midwest Board in 2016.

Founder and director of the Sisseton Arts Council, Jane worked to develop a model rural arts organization recognized for its community, tribal, and global connections. Rasmussen has served on the South Dakota Arts Council since 2003 and is a former Chair of the Council. She taught English at Sisseton Wahpeton College for many years and is an independent scholar with the South Dakota Humanities Council, where she has been recognized for her work with The Stavig Letters, a project based on family immigrant letters. Jane holds a degree in English Education from Augustana College.

Gregory Volan

Gregory Volan joined the Arts Midwest Board in 2016. His current role is the Director of Finance and Operations for North Chicago School District 187, where he serves as the chief financial officer and treasurer of a school district serving approximately 3,400 students from pre-K through high school.

Previously, Gregory served as a senior budget manager for Chicago Public Schools, the country’s third largest school district. Prior to that, he served as the Chief Information Officer for the City of Bloomington, Indiana, and later as the CFO and Chief Administrative Officer for a technology services start-up company.

Gregory graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a B.A. in Liberal Studies, and he received his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School. He lives in Evanston, Illinois, with his wife Katarina and his three children.

The post Four New Members Join Arts Midwest Emeritus Board  appeared first on Arts Midwest.

“I’m thrilled that Amy, Emily, Zach, and Sam are joining us on the Board,” said Brian Tiemann, Board Chair. “They bring a wealth of experience, and their perspectives will be invaluable as we work to advance creativity in the Midwest.” 

“Amy, Emily, Zach, and Sam are fantastic additions to our Board of Directors,” said President & CEO Torrie Allen. “They will be able to offer important insights about the creative field. I’m looking forward to working with them in the coming year.”

Amy Spadafore

Amy Spadafore is the Managing Director of Pit & Balcony Community Theatre in Saginaw, Michigan. She is thoroughly engaged with the arts sector both locally and statewide, where she sits on the Michigan Arts & Culture Council. Amy enjoys advocating for arts and culture initiatives, collaborating with economic developers, and creatively working toward a more vibrant, inviting, and inclusive community.

Amy believes in the power of art to inspire, build, connect, heal, and collaborate, and is continuously seeking opportunities to creatively solve problems through collaboration and artful innovation. When she is not using art to change the world, Amy loves sports, cooking, painting, and any reason to be outside with her husband, Dylan, their son, DJ, and her loyal sidekick, Orville the Theatre Pug.

“As a proud Midwesterner and arts advocate, I’m excited for the opportunity to explore and impact the rich arts landscape our region has to offer,” said Amy. “I’m looking forward to strengthening relationships with and being a service to the Midwest’s state arts agencies.”

Emily Tau

Emily Tau is a passionate advocate and arts enthusiast dedicated to championing equity and community engagement. With a degree in Public Relations and Theatre Arts from Marquette University, Emily has shaped her career around the transformative power of storytelling and public service. Currently serving as Public Affairs Director for Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley, she brings her commitment to advocacy into the public sphere, fostering meaningful relationships and advancing initiatives that uplift Milwaukee’s communities.

Recognized as one of Wisconsin’s 35 Most Influential Asian American Leaders and named one of Marcus Performing Arts Center’s 50 Future Women of the Arts, Emily actively champions diversity, equity, and inclusion, seeing the arts as a powerful catalyst for change and a bridge between people and culture.

“I am thrilled to join the Arts Midwest Board because I believe in the transformative power of the arts to bridge communities, inspire change, and drive regional economic impact,” said Emily. “I look forward to contributing to work that not only enriches lives through the arts, but also advocates for diversity and equity, making creative expression accessible to all.”

Zechariah Van Harris III

Zechariah “Zach” Van Harris III is a researcher, content creator, and social scientist with backgrounds in archaeology, anthropology, sociology, and filmmaking. He has been active with the South Dakota African American History Museum (SDAAHM) since 2017, starting out as a student researcher. In 2020, he became researcher and curator for the museum, and began guest speaking at schools, leading tours, raising funds, and renovating the entire museum. In 2021, Zach established scholarship and internship programs for local student artists. He was among the Board of Directors that championed getting Black History Month officially recognized in the state of South Dakota, and for the Mayor of Sioux Falls to declare a proclamation honoring Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a holiday.

In 2023–2024, along with history professor Dr. Will Wright, Augustana University, and student interns, he identified and documented hundreds of African American Heritage Sites in Sioux Falls dating back to the 1870s. Also in 2024, Zach successfully commissioned creative South Dakota artists to help introduce a new season of SDAAHM exhibits titled “Space Exploration & Navigation through Black History.”

Zach is also founder and consultant of Galaxy Consulting Group, LLC. He helps individuals with their personal and professional growth and development. He coordinates micro workshops and mentorship programs in the Sioux Empire for youth and regularly assists elders and retired seniors with daily tasks and errands. Zach lives in Sioux Falls with his wife, Laura. They enjoy traveling and being outdoors in nature.

“I am honored to join the Board of Arts Midwest as we help water the seeds of creativity and culture in our Upper Midwest region,” said Zach.

L. Sam Zhang

L. Sam Zhang is the author and illustrator of the picture book series The First Chinese Festivals. She is a 2023–24 National Leaders of Color Fellow, and a finalist for the 2024 PEN America Emerging Voices Fellowship.

Sam was born in Shanghai and grew up in Buffalo, New York. After getting a BS in Biology from Cornell and PhD in Neuroscience from the University of Michigan, she spent a decade on the West Coast doing marketing and design for startups, research institutes, and nonprofits. She now lives in Michigan and is the Executive Director of the Kalamazoo Chinese Academy, a nonprofit organization that provides Chinese language, arts, and cultural experiences to youth from all backgrounds.

“I am deeply honored to have been selected to join the Arts Midwest Board of Directors,” said Sam. “I look forward to the opportunity to serve the organization and help support the vibrant and diverse arts and culture communities throughout the region.”

The post Arts Midwest Welcomes Four New Board Members  appeared first on Arts Midwest.

The fellowship provides a unique platform for cohorts to engage in meaningful conversations and exchange ideas both nationally and regionally. Over the next six months, participants will collaborate in six facilitator-led sessions designed to enhance their leadership skills, alongside community-building sessions that foster collaboration and support among peers.

The Leaders of Color Fellowship is more than just an accolade—it is a commitment to nurturing the next generation of arts leaders who will advance diversity, equity, and inclusion within the arts community. Each awardee has demonstrated a profound ability to inspire change and contribute to their respective fields with creativity and resilience.

“We are proud to support and celebrate these remarkable leaders,” says Crystal Celeste Price, a Program Manager at Arts Midwest. The Leaders of Color Fellowship not only highlights their achievements but also provides them with the resources and networks necessary to drive impactful change.”

The fellowship aims to cultivate connections that transcend regional boundaries, building a supportive network of leaders committed to advancing the cultural landscape of arts and culture.

Read on below to meet Arts Midwest’s selected cohort members for this year’s program, and learn more about the full cohort on the Leaders of Color Network website.

Tyler Brunsell

Tyler Brunsell

Madison, Wisconsin

Tyler Brunsell is a creative professional whose work is rooted in hip-hop and its culture of self-expression and community. After discovering his passion for music and digital arts in high school, he spent two years as a high school paraprofessional assisting with hip-hop workshops.

An emcee, Brunsell became deeply involved in Madison’s independent music scene, writing and recording as a solo artist, as half of the duo Homemade, and as a co-founder of Supa Friends. Supa Friends is a hip-hop group that hosted open mics and showcases, spotlighting and sharing the stage with a variety of local artists. A self-taught graphic designer, Brunsell creates event flyers and websites and assists with audio and video podcast production at Media 22, a local multimedia company.

In 2021, Brunsell joined Urban Community Arts Network, a nonprofit that advocates for equity in Madison’s music ecosystem. He has held roles including middle school teaching artist, administrative support, and project manager. Currently, as creative strategy coordinator for Greater Madison Music City, a collective impact project led by Urban Community Arts Network, Brunsell leads initiatives to position music as a key driver of tourism in Madison.

Hanh Bui

Hanh Bui

Bloomington, Indiana

Hanh Bui is an emerging arts professional and artist studying arts management with minors in creative writing and studio art at Indiana University. As the undergraduate internal programming assistant for the IU Arts & Humanities Council, she develops arts programming that brings communities together and highlights unique, intersectional narratives. She has curated and coordinated community art galleries on topics such as the Asian American diaspora, femme rage,and what it means to yearn.

Bui has curated and coordinated community art galleries on topics including the Asian American diaspora, femme rage, and the concept of yearning. Through her work, she strives to elevate marginalized voices, foster dialogue, and create spaces for connection.

As the racial equity intern for Hoosier Asian American Power, Bui is dedicated to building safer, more inclusive communities for Asian Americans and all Hoosiers. She believes in the arts as a tool to build and care for communities, envision more equitable futures, and amplify marginalized perspectives.

Bui is committed to furthering work in arts and racial equity, creating spaces for creative expression and social change.

Amia Moore

Amia Moore

Porcupine, South Dakota

Amia Moore is the director of youth leadership development at Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation, where she empowers Native youth and families on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Her work fosters cultural identity, wellness, and leadership through traditional Lakota teachings, promoting resilient and connected communities.

Previously, Moore served as manager of scholar advocacy at the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, supporting Indigenous Gates Scholars nationwide. She ensured equitable access to academic opportunities while honoring cultural identities. As director of the SAMHSA Native Connections grant at Marty Indian School, she integrated mental health advocacy, mentorship, and suicide prevention with traditional Lakota and Dakota knowledge, bridging cultural teachings and modern strategies.

Rooted in a traditional Lakota family, Moore grew up understanding the deep connection between art and culture. She has organized and facilitated programs preserving Lakota traditions, including beading, quillwork, moccasin making, archery, harvesting native plants, and re-establishing boys’ and girls’ societies.

Moore’s mission addresses cultural inequity by equipping Indigenous youth with resources to reclaim traditional ways of life. Through holistic wellness practices, she combats the effects of colonization, systemic oppression, and cultural erasure, fostering equity, diversity, and the restoration of Lakota culture for future generations.

Sarah Ndagire

Sarah Ndagire

Dubuque, Iowa

Sarah Ndagire, a Ugandan-born performing artist and cultural practitioner, founded AfriWell Hub, an initiative that fosters wellness, cultural connection, and inclusivity through African arts. With more than 20 years of practice in music, dance, and storytelling, Ndagire has honed her expertise through traditional training, community mentorship, and hands-on experience, making her a respected leader in cultural preservation.

Ndagire has performed globally, collaborating with renowned artists and captivating audiences with performances that blend traditional and contemporary African influences. Beyond the stage, she has worked as a radio presenter and led educational workshops influenced by African traditions, promoting cultural heritage and cross-cultural understanding.

Committed to inclusion and representation, Ndagire creates spaces for underrepresented voices and advocates for equitable recognition and support for diverse artists. She is preparing to launch “African Vibes,” a community engagement initiative celebrating African culture through music, dance, cuisine, art, and interactive workshops. The platform aims to foster meaningful connections, encourage cultural exchange, and showcase the talents of African immigrants.

Through her dedication to preserving and sharing African traditions, Ndagire enriches local and global cultural landscapes, inspiring a deeper appreciation and understanding of African heritage.

Alexander Paredes-Ruíz

Alexander Paredes-Ruíz

Chicago, Illinois

Alexander Paredes-Ruíz is a Chicago-based, Miami-born cultural worker, artist-scholar, and writer passionate about creative praxis, reimagining narrative forms, and reinventing aesthetic traditions. He holds dual degrees in theater arts management (B.S.) and history (B.A.) from Ithaca College. He later earned a master’s degree in Latin American and Latino studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago, where he also worked as a teaching assistant supporting instruction in Latinx culture and literature. His research focuses on Latinx and Latin American cultural production, with an emphasis on Latinx theater, performance, and aesthetics.

Paredes-Ruíz is the marketing director for First Floor Theater, a nonprofit storefront theater based in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood that specializes in new play development and premieres. He has also worked as a freelance translator for Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s Spanish-captioned performances and as an archivist for Studio Theatre’s ongoing production history repository project.

He is an alumnus of The Public Theater’s BIPOC Critics Lab, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and the 4A’s Multicultural Advertising Intern Program. His writing has been featured by New York City Center, CUSLAR, and the Ithacan.

Rosari Sarasvaty

Rosari Sarasvaty

Bismarck, North Dakota

Rosari Sarasvaty is the children’s division coordinator at Northern Plains Dance in Bismarck, North Dakota. She earned a master’s degree in teaching dance in the professions with a concentration in American Ballet Theatre (ABT) pedagogy from NYU Steinhardt. She received the NYU 2022 Outstanding Service in Dance Education Award. Sarasvaty is an ABT®-certified teacher and served as a class assistant at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Additionally, she completed a teacher training program at the Mark Morris Dance Center.

Sarasvaty specializes in ballet, modern, and contemporary dance. She has performed and choreographed for Teresa Fellion Dance, Dunyc.hi, New York University, the Martha Graham Dance School, Dance FX, and Marlupi Dance Academy, among others.

As a dance educator, Sarasvaty is dedicated to teaching the next generation of leaders in the dance industry. She encourages creativity and critical thinking by fostering meaningful discussions and collaborative work in the classroom.

She is currently focused on expanding the Student Company program at Northern Plains Dance and serving as production manager for the North Dakota Asian-American Arts and Cultural Initiative Cultural Expo 2024.

Mirabel Fonyuy Umenei

Mirabel Fonyuy Umenei

Caledonia, Michigan

Mirabel Fonyuy Umenei, also known as Myra Maimoh, is a dynamic leader in women’s empowerment, cultural advocacy, and immigrant support. She serves as the executive director of the African Collaborative Network, leading initiatives focused on workforce development and empowering African immigrants. Recently appointed as the director of development at the Women’s Resource Center, she continues advocating for women, people of color, and New Americans by advancing equity and opportunity through innovative programs.

As founder and CEO of Motherland Cultural Connections LLC, Umenei has developed award-winning initiatives like the Motherland Cooking Xperience and Foods That Bind, which promote cultural exchange through food and storytelling. Through Motherland Coaching, she equips African immigrants with the tools to start their own businesses.

A sought-after speaker and advocate, Umenei remains dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and community building, which are central to her life’s work.

Sara Osman

Sara Osman

Bloomington, Minnesota

Sara Osman (she/her) is a writer, filmmaker, and cultural practitioner based in Minneapolis. She is the co-founder and director of creative development for The Qalanjo Project, a Somali cultural organization and creative arts studio in Minneapolis that promotes cultural production, community archival work, and social change through the arts. Osman develops programs that uplift artistry in her community, with themes of home, belonging, and cultural preservation central to her work.

Osman earned a master’s degree in arts education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2019, where she developed an interest in film and media for youth. Her storytelling focuses on memory, place, and identity, with an emphasis on the evolving Somali identity in Minnesota. She also serves as the director of programming for the Black Europe Film Festival of Minneapolis & Saint Paul, where she develops workshops, strengthens local collaborations, and works with the festival team to plan a showcase highlighting the Black experience in Europe.

Her poetry appears in Crossroads: An Anthology of Resilience & Hope by Young Somali Writers, which explores the Somali youth experience in Minnesota. Osman is directing and producing two short documentary films and an audio-archival project examining the impact of government surveillance on the Somali community in Minneapolis. Her work has received support from organizations including NeXt Doc, the Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, the Saint Paul Neighborhood Network, Firelight Media, and the City of Minneapolis Department of Arts and Cultural Affairs.

Dayvon Nichols

Dayvon Nichols

Euclid, Ohio

Dayvon Nichols is a grants manager at Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, where he oversees a portfolio of approximately 100 nonprofit arts organizations across Cuyahoga County. He leads the Cultural Heritage program, which is designed to increase access to flexible funding for culturally specific organizations. Nichols also serves on the Core Racial Equity Work (CREW) team, which works to advance equity within the arts sector.

Previously, Nichols worked as the grants and community engagement coordinator at the Greater Columbus Arts Council, where he managed the Funds for Artists grant, the Aminah Robinson Fellowship, and helped create the Navigators program to support individual artist grantees. He grew up as a performing and visual artist and was a member of a hip-hop street crew.

Passionate about creative problem solving, Nichols strives to set an example for his community, demonstrating that success doesn’t always follow a traditional path. Although he did not complete his degree at Ohio State University, he believes that drive, curiosity, and audacity can open doors for anyone.

Outside of work, Nichols explores music across all genres, listening to more than 4,000 new songs annually, with aspirations to learn mixing or DJing.

The post Announcing the 2024-25 Midwestern National Leaders of Color Fellows appeared first on Arts Midwest.

Weathers, a hip-hop artist, creative director, humanitarian, and co-founder, CEO, and President of the B.WELL Foundation, has made significant strides in supporting students, artists, and underrepresented communities in Des Moines, Iowa.

The B.WELL Foundation is an advocate for the city’s youth, committed to nurturing a future where young thinkers, designers, and creators can thrive. By focusing on connection, collaboration, and advocacy, the foundation drives transformative change, ensuring every young person has the chance to realize their full potential.

Photo Credit: Billy Weathers

“As a creator, you have blinders on for most of your journey. Creating. Refining. Adjusting. Sometimes you get to look up and see the progress you’ve made, sit back, and appreciate the ground covered,” says Weathers. “I speak for my entire team in saying we are honored to be recognized as creatives for the work we’ve put into the city of Des Moines. The intent remains to improve the landscape, opportunities and resources that creatives and youth have access to in the city.”

Weathers’s leadership at B.WELL Foundation has cultivated spaces where artistic expression and innovation flourish. Programs like the Creative Coaches Clubs, which pairs students with local artists and mentors, empower young people to pursue their aspirations. Another impactful initiative, Art For All, transforms underutilized spaces within schools into sensory-appealing, adaptive environments in collaboration with students.

Beyond his foundation work, Weathers has gained widespread recognition as a hip-hop artist, performing at major events such as the 80/35 Music Festival, Iowa Juneteenth Festival, and Capital City Pride. His annual event, The Move, brings together artists across mediums to celebrate creativity and community through music and connection.

In 2020, he also led thousands of peaceful protesters, standing at the forefront of social justice movements in Des Moines.

 
“Billy’s work is a shining example of creativity, artistry, and entrepreneurship delivered in a way that benefits our communities and has a lasting positive impact in our region,” said Peter Capell, for whom the award is named. “His ability to unite people and inspire change aligns perfectly with the values of this award.”

Weathers has received a $2,500 unrestricted cash award from Arts Midwest along with a matching $2,500 grant award from the Iowa Arts Council in celebration of his work.

Established in 2022 to honor the legacy of longtime Arts Midwest Board member and former Board Chair, the Peter Capell Award for Midwestern Creativity & Entrepreneurship recognizes individuals whose work exemplifies entrepreneurial thinking, creative accomplishments, and a commitment to community. This year’s award focused on individuals based in Iowa. Details about next year’s award will be available in spring 2025.

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