Arts Midwest is one of six regional arts organizations in the United States, serving audiences, arts organizations, and artists throughout the primary region of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Regional arts organizations – Arts Midwest’s predecessor organizations among them – 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 variety of arts experiences. One of their main roles has been to help community arts organizations provide high-caliber dance, music, visual arts, theater, and musical theater engagements to underserved communities.
Arts Midwest was formed in 1985 through the merger of the Affiliated State Arts Agencies of the Upper Midwest (based in Minneapolis) and the Great Lakes Arts Alliance (based in Cleveland). David Fraher, who had been the director of the Affiliated State Arts Agencies of the Upper Midwest, was selected to head the new organization, and Minneapolis was chosen as its headquarters.
Over the years, Arts Midwest has successfully revitalized itself to reflect changes in national funding levels, maintaining a viable organization committed to broadening the reach of the arts. Arts Midwest’s performing and visual arts programs, partnerships, and initiatives are an integral part of our position as an essential cultural resource for the entire Midwest and beyond. In keeping with our mission, Arts Midwest’s portfolio of programs has evolved to keep pace with the overall needs of our constituents and trends in the field to positively impact communities large and small.