Author: Frankie Felegy

The independently published mini-magazines have time-hallowed roots in Illinois. Meet the zinesters keeping the art form alive and well.

Growing up in a majority-Hispanic Midwest city of 3,800, artist Chuy Renteria has turned to ‘dance fighting’ and writing (including a memoir) to feel, defy, and ponder.

Two Midwest artists reflect on their time, work, and insights inside a remote cabin in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

Carolyn Mazloomi, now in her late 70s, has been quilting for decades. She calls the art both a passage and keepsake for stories—of struggle to survival and success.

Iowa’s Color the Wind Kite Festival, the biggest of its kind in the Midwest, is in its second decade of flying massive kites in the middle of winter.

Staff at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance created a free online course inclusive of all ages, hair textures, and skin tones.

Here’s your excuse to traverse the Midwest—in pursuit of cool art happenings! With your help, we compiled an array of bucket-list travel spots across the region with artsy ties. 

We asked y’all for local band recommendations, plus a few favorites from staff here at Arts Midwest. Listen up!

Paint from this Ohio company starts out as orange sludge from a polluted creek.

This old-time music and dance festival is set in the chilly woods of northeast Minnesota. The weekend is a celebration of winter triumph, collective joy, and movement.