If you've ever been to a music performance at The Ark, you know why it is a revered venue, not only in Ann Arbor, but throughout the country. For musicians and audience alike, it is small, intimate, and welcoming.
Over its 53-year history, The Ark has found a model to operate in a climate that shuts down clubs about as fast as they open. A big part of that success is because of community volunteers. This week, 'creative:impact' gets a look at that business model from the inside.
Creative industries in Washtenaw County add hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. 89.1 WEMU is committed to exploring the people, places and things that serve as the driving force behind one of Michigan's strongest cultural hubs. This week, it's an insider's look at The Ark and the value of a business model dependent on the passion of volunteers.
Deb Polich is President and CEO of The Arts Alliance and WEMU's lead content partner on this project.
creative:impact airs at 7:50am and 9:50am each Tuesday as part of Morning Edition.
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— David Fair is the WEMU News Director and host of Morning Edition on WEMU. You can contact David at734.487.3363, on twitter @DavidFairWEMU, or email him at dfair@emich.edu
