Arts Midwest is committed to Midwestern communities, large and small, through grantmaking, creative programming, and leadership training. Our programs reach more than half a million people annually throughout the Midwest and around the world.

Current Programs & Activities

• ArtsLab : leadership training for arts organizations

• CARES Act Grants : COVID-19 relief funding distributed as part of the CARES act

• Community Creativity Cohort : capacity building cohort working to make art central to problem solving

• Conference : performing arts booking and education conference

• Creating Connection : messaging training and research for arts organizations

• Creative Response Fund : Disbursing funds for 10 projects that will support artist-led creative healing

• Folkefest : Nordic musicians in Midwestern towns

• National Endowment for the Arts Big Read : national community reading program

• Shakespeare in American Communities : bringing Shakespeare to young audiences

• Touring Fund : support for performing arts activities across the Midwest

• United States Regional Arts Resilience Fund : national COVID-19 recovery initiative for under-resourced arts and culture organizations

• We the Many : rural Midwestern artist residencies

• World Fest : Midwest residencies with global musicians

Past Programs & Activities

• Dessa in China : brought Midwestern musician Dessa to China for workshops and performances

• Russel Wright: Living with Good Design : touring exhibition of the industrial designer’s work

• Stories of the Somali Diaspora : touring exhibition featuring the work of photographer Abdi Roble

• ARRA Grants : grants distributed as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009

• Shout Freedom! Photo League Selections from the Columbus Museum of Art : exhibition of 1930’s photography

• The Sum of Many Parts: 25 Quiltmakers from 21st-Century America : brought American quilts to venues across China

• NEA Jazz Masters Live and NEA Jazz Masters on Tour : supported national touring for Jazz artists

• Identity and the American Landscape : cultural exchange program featuring work by Minnesota photographer Wing Young Huie

• Modern Spirit: The Art of George Morrison : touring exhibition honoring the legacy of an acclaimed Native American artist

• Native American / China Exchange : brought Native American artists to China for workshops and performances

• Caravanserai: A place where cultures meet : toured Muslim artists across the U.S. for workshops and performances