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Conference Agenda 2024

Reception (open to the public) September 27, 2024 · 5:00-7:00pm · Beaumier Heritage Center

Join us for beer & wine, plus live music with Gretchen McKenzie!


Conference September 28, 2024 · 10:00am-5:00pm · Northern Center at Northern Michigan University

8:00am – Registration
Peninsula II

Join us for coffee, refreshments, and conversation in the Northern Center

10:00am - Welcome & Keynote with Alison Watson
Peninsula II

Alison Watson is a distinguished arts administrator and cultural advocate serving as the director of the Michigan Arts and Culture Council (MACC). With a career dedicated to fostering creativity and community engagement through arts and culture, she has been instrumental in shaping Michigan's creative landscape.

11:00am – Panel: Advocating for Arts & Culture Across Sectors
Peninsula II

Panelists Tiina Morin (City of Marquette Arts and Culture), Sarah Rice (Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan) and Kristine Granger (City of Marquette Planning Commission, Rock Street Artist Residency) will discuss successful models of integrating arts and culture into urban and rural development and its benefit to local economies and community well-being. Learn about the challenges artists face, how advocacy can promote the community growth and sustainability, and how building strong networks and partnerships between artists, cultural organizations, and local governments can amplify advocacy efforts. Discover ways to foster collaboration that drives positive change and strengthens the cultural fabric of the Upper Peninsula.

12:00 - Lunch  
Peninsula II

Lunch Focus Groups (choose one)

  • Community Theatre in the Upper Peninsula
  • Master Plans: Addressing Arts and Culture in Municipal Development
  • Advocating for Individual Artists
12:45 – Discussion & sharing from focus groups
1:00 - Breakouts (choose one)

Resource Presentation: Upper Peninsula Digital Network

Founders Room

This presentation will introduce participants to the Upper Peninsula Digital Network (UPLINK). UPLINK is a consortium of Upper Peninsula heritage organizations (museums, archives, libraries, historical societies). UPLINK leverages resources and skills to identify, prepare, and digitize historical records created by individuals, local governments, civic organizations, families, and businesses that document the history of the Upper Peninsula. These collections are organized, described, and made freely available via UPLINK’s online public access portal.

Panel: Unique Economic Needs in the UP

Peninsula II

Discover how arts and culture contribute to economic revitalization and stability in both the remote rural communities and the more urbanized areas of the Upper Peninsula. Learn from industry leaders Mark Bevins (Historical Thunder Bay Inn) and Christopher Germain (CEO of Lake Superior Community Partnership, Rotary Club of Marquette) about successful case studies and innovative strategies that have bridged economic gaps through cultural initiatives.

Placemaking: Lake Antoine Park Partners

Peninsula I

Following its mission to “preserve, improve, promote and protect Lake Antoine Park in Dickinson County, Michigan, for the use and benefit of the general public,” Lake Antoine Park Partners has engaged in fundraising, grant writing and merchandise sales to raise the money needed to complete projects like reconstruction of the artesian well, planting trees, planting butterfly gardens, and adding sculptures to increase interest in the park. Learn from Barb Kramer and the leaders of the project how plans were made and executed to create a very special sense of place at Lake Antoine in Dickinson County.

2:00 - Breakouts (choose one)

Empowering the Arts: Actionable Strategies for Immediate Fundraising Success

Founders Room

In this enlightening session, Sharon Maier will teach you how to uncover the keys to sustainable funding that will empower you to elevate arts and culture in your community. From engaging donors to securing grants, crafting compelling appeals to fostering long-term partnerships, we’ll equip you with actionable strategies that you can put into action right away. 

Creating Arts Coalitions in the UP

Peninsula I

A generation ago Susan Burack served as the UP Coordinator for the Michigan Association of Community Arts Agencies (MACAA). She will share experiences working with UP Arts, Culture, History, and Heritage organizations, presenting workshops in communities across the UP, and with Rural Riders, a project of MSU Museum, on grant writing, fundraising, advocacy, collaboration, boards of directors, liasons with community organizations, and more. 

Arts & Economic Prosperity

Peninsula II

The Upper Peninsula Arts and Culture Alliance is proud to publish the findings of Arts & Economic Prosperity 6 (2023). The study found well over $42 million in arts and culture event-related spending and arts and culture nonprofit organizations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The study found a significant impact in food and beverage, lodging, and retail associated with attendance at events as well as the operations of arts and culture non-profits. Susan Roll, board president of the Alliance will share the findings and analysis of the study as well as actions you can take to apply this data for the benefit of your organization, business, and community.

3:00 Networking break
Peninsula II
3:30 - Final remarks
Peninsula II
4:00 - Keynote Concert
Peninsula II

Phil Lynch is an award-winning educator, author, and sought-after performer of original songs. For over 30 years he has inspired and entertained thousands of delighted listeners in settings ranging from conferences to concert halls. A lifelong educator in civics and psychology at the secondary and college levels, Phil has been a featured speaker at workshops, conferences, commencement ceremonies, libraries, and churches. His book, Live Like Louis (life-lessons based on the great Louis Armstrong) was an Amazon Top 20 book upon its premiere.