About Arts Midwest
We support, inform, and celebrate Midwestern creativity—building community and opportunity across our region and beyond.
Amplifying Midwestern Creativity
Arts Midwest amplifies the power of our region’s creativity. We support, inform, and celebrate 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.
As one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations, we work to strengthen local arts and culture efforts in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies, private funders, and many others. Since our founding, we have awarded more than 6,000 grants totaling nearly $60 million. Each year, we serve more than 700,000 individuals across more than 300 communities in the Midwest and beyond. We nourish the creative roots of the Midwest, confident that our region will continue to sow the seeds that inspire the world.
Arts Midwest’s work is shaped by our guiding values: equity, integrity, and learning. We believe that creativity lives in everyone. Therefore, we do everything we can to help people show up fully, speak their truth, and grow together. We embrace the full spectrum of humanity. We approach each other with trust and humility. We have brave conversations and learn from new perspectives. Living these values helps us build connections that make our beloved places bolder, more welcoming, and seen for the beacons of brilliance that they are.
We’re here to build unprecedented opportunity in the Midwest by advancing creativity. To support the artists and organizations that define and redefine this place. To share ideas that make Midwesterners more visible and connected. To raise up the stories that challenge assumptions. And to build flourishing communities that are powered by opportunity, authenticity, and a deep sense of belonging.
That’s our Midwest: a place of extraordinary possibility.
Our Mission + Vision
MISSION:
To build unprecedented opportunity across the Midwest by advancing creativity.
VISION: Midwestern creativity powers thriving, entrepreneurial, and welcoming communities.
Our Values
EQUITY:
We commit to actionable, measurable, and reportable ways to respect, honor, and embrace all of humanity.
INTEGRITY:
We approach our partners and each other with a spirit of cooperation, trust, humility, and accountability.
LEARNING:
We value learning and growing. We commit to having honest conversations with our partners and each other.
Our Focus Areas
SUPPORT:
We invest in efforts that use creativity to connect people, ideas, and solutions.
INFORM:
We share data and ideas to support Midwestern communities in being more visible, sustainable, and interconnected.
CELEBRATE:
We honor the people, places, and creative organizations that compose the Midwest.
Equity Operational Plan
We commit to actionable, measurable, and reportable ways to respect, honor, and embrace all of humanity. Explore how Arts Midwest is working to advance equity in our work.
Equity Operational PlanFrequently Asked Questions
As one of six United States Regional Arts Organizations, Arts Midwest supports, informs, and celebrates Midwestern creativity. Learn more about our grants and programs, explore our resources, and read our stories about the many creative people and places that power this region.
United States Regional Arts Organizations were created by state arts agencies and the National Endowment for the Arts in the 1970s in order to transcend state boundaries and give citizens access to a greater and richer variety of arts experiences. Learn more about Regional Arts Organizations.
Arts Midwest supports, informs, and celebrates creativity throughout our nine-state service region, which includes:
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
We also support the 42 Native Nations that share this geography.
This definition of the Midwest ties back to our history as a United States Regional Arts Organization (USRAO). There are six USRAOs across the country, each serving a distinct region of America. Originally, there were more USRAOs with smaller regions.
Arts Midwest was formed in 1985, when the Great Lakes Arts Alliance and the Upper Midwest Arts Agencies merged to create one organization. Kansas, Nebraska, and Missouri have always been part of our sister USRAO, Mid-America Arts Alliance. That’s why our region doesn’t include those states—even though they’re part of the Census Midwest.
If your state is not listed here as part of our region, please check out the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations website to find the organizations that serve your area.
We offer a variety of programs and grants that help connect audiences to the arts. Please visit our Get Support page for more information on applying for a grant or bringing one of our programs to a community near you.
Most of our grants and programs are focused on supporting organizations in the Midwest.
However, we do offer two national grantmaking programs, NEA Big Read and Shakespeare in American Communities. Learn more about those opportunities.
If you are not located in the Midwest, please visit the U.S. Regional Arts Organization that serves your home state for more information on available grants and services.
Reports and Financials
| Fiscal Year | 990 | Financial Overview |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Download 990 | Download Financial Overview |
| 2023 | Download 990 | Download Financial Overview |
| 2022 | Download 990 | Download Financial Overview |
| 2021 | Download 990 | Download Annual Report |
| 2020 | Download 990 | Download Annual Report |
Have questions? Contact us!
We’re here to help, and hearing from you makes our day. Feel free to email or call us to get the answers you’re looking for.
Contact Our Team