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Amplifying Midwestern Creativity

Arts Midwest supports, informs, and celebrates arts organizations and creative communities in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, the Native Nations that share this geography, and beyond.

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Five dancers on stage with four lifting up one.

Joyful, loud, and Midwest proud

Read about creative ideas, people, and projects happening in our region and beyond.
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Grant Opportunities and Programs

We support efforts that connect people, ideas, and solutions through creativity. Learn more about our grantmaking initiatives and our community programming.

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A student waves a paint brush
Photo Credit: LunART
Apply by January 23, 2025

NEA Big Read Grants

This community-wide reading program offers matching grants of up to $20,000 for programming that uses the theme of “Our Nature” as inspiration.

Learn More and Apply
Apply by January 30, 2025

Shakespeare in American Communities Grants

Shakespeare in American Communities provides grants of up to $30,000 that connect young people across the country to Shakespeare’s plays. Grants support performances and workshops in schools and in the justice system, and apprenticeships for early-career theater professionals.

Learn More and Apply
Actors perform a Shakespeare play in a school gym
Photo Credit: Idaho Shakespeare Festival
Performance of Midsummer Night’s Dream by Idaho Shakespeare Festival at Anser Charter School.

Announcing the 2024 Midwest Culture Bearers Awardees

Nine culture bearers from across the region have received $5,000 each through the new award celebrating artisans and folk arts practitioners whose work is rooted in cultural preservation and sharing knowledge with the next generation.

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A tan teapot woven out of Korean paper (called hanji) using jiseung (paper basketry) techniques in the shape of a duck with a lid on the back shaped like a duckling, both with reddish pink beaks.
Photo Credit: Stefan Hagen
Duck & duckling teapot (2020) by Aimee Lee. Natural dyes, corded on twined hanji. 5.25 x 8 x 2”.

Is Anybody Out There? Tips for Reaching Rural Audiences

Rural areas offer both unique opportunities and challenges when it comes to reaching people. Discover how Detroit Lakes, Minnesota became home to the world’s largest exhibition of Thomas Dambo’s trolls by engaging local audiences.

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A giant wooden troll leans against a tree
A sculpture titled “Jacob Everear” by artist Thomas Dambo, who is know for his giant trolls. Dambo arrived in rural Detroit Lakes in May of 2024 and built six troll sculptures in partnership with Project 412 and many volunteers.