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We the Many

We the Many was a program that supported communities in the creation of their own unique artist residency experiences, encouraging the exchange of voices, cultures, and ideas relevant to each community context.

A collage of colorful photos showing community members engaged in arts activites

About We the Many

We the Many was a program of Arts Midwest that supported communities in creating artist residency experiences. It encouraged the exchange of voices, cultures, and ideas relevant to each community. From 2019-2024, Arts Midwest partnered with six communities across the Midwest. Community partners received funding to guide and develop artist residencies in their local areas.

We the Many was a project of Arts Midwest with generous support from the Mellon Foundation and in partnership with the Indiana Arts Commission, Iowa Arts Council, North Dakota Council on the Arts (2022-2024), and South Dakota Arts Council (2019-2021). 

Arts Midwest is also generously supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Indiana Arts Commission, Iowa Arts Council, Michigan Arts and Culture Council, Minnesota State Arts Board, North Dakota Council on the Arts, Ohio Arts Council, South Dakota Arts Council, Wisconsin Arts Board, 3M, Crane Group, and individual donors and partners. 

Our Partners

Phase I: 2019-2023

In the first phase of We the Many, our partners collaborated with immigrant artists and artists of color to set up artist residencies. Our organizational partners each received $45,000 in grants, along with guidance for selecting artists, and extra support and training for establishing artistic residencies. They later received another grant of $28,000 to continue programming after the initial residencies.
  • A man and a young child paint a flower on a mural together

    Art on the Prairie

    Perry, Iowa

    Perry’s We the Many spanned visual art, storytelling, community placemaking and more, encouraging local residents to tell their stories and come together.

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  • A teenage girl of medium skin tone kneels in front of a candle showing the virgin mary

    Honeywell Arts + Entertainment

    Wabash, Indiana

    Wabash’s We the Many brought programming directly into schools. Working alongside Chicago-based artist-in-residence, Ana Velazquez, students of color in Manchester Community Schools were able to express themselves and their creativity through theater classes and public performances.

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  • A group of people gather and sit around a speaker at an art exhibit.

    Sisseton Arts Council

    Sisseton, Veblen & Agency Village, South Dakota

    Sisseton’s We the Many spurred art shows, traveling galleries, pop-ups, art classes, and new albums of music.

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Phase II: 2022-24

Our focus in Phase 2 was on culturally embedded organizations doing critical work in their communities. Our organizational partners each received $100,000 in grants to support their projects. Throughout the program, community partners, artists, community leaders, and Arts Midwest staff participated in leading capacity building support sessions.
  • A woman and a man of medium skin tone paint canvases surrounded by art supplies

    Sacred Pipe Resource Center

    Mandan, North Dakota

    The mission of Sacred Pipe Resource Center is to address and support the social/cultural, emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical needs of Native people of all Tribes living in the Bismarck-Mandan and surrounding area in order to foster strong, self-sufficient individuals and families, and to provide liaison services between Native and non-Native people in order to foster a cohesive community

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  • Two adults hold up a ribbon for cutting underneath a balloon arch and a sign that reads Grand Opening. A woman smiles as she speaks in to a mic in the middle.

    For the Love of the Arts

    Northwest Indiana

    For the Love of the Arts, Inc. is a Northwest Indiana based non-profit organization that promotes more equitable access to the arts for all people.

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  • An adult and four youth painting in a mural of five people in front of a mountain.

    La Luz Centro Cultural

    Hampton, Iowa

    La Luz Centro Cultural, based in Hampton, IA, is a non-profit and 501(c)3 organization empowering individuals and families within the Latin community.

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Explore What We Learned

From the beginning, We the Many was set up to embed decision making and resources in our community partners. Here’s what we learned along the way.

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A group of teenagers hold hands to bow on stage
Photo Credit: Honeywell Arts + Entertainment

Read the We The Many Phase 2 Program Report

This report dives into the program’s process, impact, and lessons learned during We the Many’s second phase. It sheds light on the successes, challenges, and resiliency of creative community work.

Read More (PDF)

Several dozen people standing in front of a storefront in front of orange, yellow, and black balloons, with a person dressed in a sun costume kneeling in front.
Photo Credit: Daveed Holmes

Stories from We the Many