Tuesdays during Morning Edition 7:50am & 9:50am
Hosted by Deb Polich, president/CEO of Creative Washtenaw & Artrain
The arts + creative industries in Washtenaw County add hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy, add to our quality of life and place and interconnect with other sectors. creative:impact is an exclusive feature of WEMU 89.1 FM that tells that story through the local artists and creative people – professionals, amateurs, students and industry experts leading the sector locally, nationally and internationally. They have creative practices, businesses and hold creative jobs in profit, nonprofit, educational and government entities. With deep connections to Washtenaw County, they make the greater Ann Arbor area one of Michigan's strongest and most vibrant arts + creative industry hubs. creative:impact airs Tuesday mornings at 7:50 a.m. and 9:50 a.m. during Morning Edition and repeats the same afternoon during All Things Considered.
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For the first time, as they mark the 300th "creative:impact" show on WEMU, producer Mat Hopson joins Deb Polich on the air. Together, they take a look back, reminisce a bit, chat about some of their favorite episodes and they might just disclose a blunder or two. -
Get a behind the scenes look at the 2024 Independent Film Festival Ypsilanti. Known affectionately as the iFFY, it runs April 24 – 27. Get the iFFY scoop when organizers Hafsah Mijinyawa and Martin Thoburn joined Deb Polich on this edition of "creative:impact." -
The tradition of community bands dates back centuries. We learn about the local bands that entertain residents on national holidays and put on concerts in parks and auditoriums when local community band experts Jerry Robbins and William Perrine join Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." -
Historic preservation architect and advocate Ilene Tyler has an answer. The Michigan Historic Preservation Association does too, as it honors Ilene and her Ann Arbor Old Fourth Ward Association colleagues with the 2024 Community Award for historic preservation activities that promote and protect the neighborhood. Ilene joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." -
Tabletop roleplaying games, or TTRGs, are Lana Krolikowski’s game of choice. So much so, that while on a “nerdcation,” she was inspired to create a business — Saving Throw Pillows, which is targeted at TTRG players. What’s a nerdcation, and what does Saving Throw Pillows make? Find out when she joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s creative:impact. -
Imagine hitting the stage for a performance without ever seeing a script! That’s what an improv artist like Tony DeRosa does…gets on stage, is given an idea or phrase and runs with it. Tony is bringing improv to a new venue soon to open in Ann Arbor. We meet Tony and learn about hear.say brewing + theater opening in Ann Arbor this summer when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." -
It took 40 years and a Facebook page to make Steve Girbach’s and John Mooneyham’s dream to open a music club come true. Together, they launched Manchester Underground Music and Art to bring live music to downtown Manchester. We meet Steve and hear the origin story about the club when he joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." -
Book publishing and printing has long held a place among businesses in Washtenaw County. Dzanc Books, an independent nonprofit publishing house in Ann Arbor, continues that tradition. We learn about Dzanc Books when publisher and editor-in-chief Michelle Dotter joined Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact." -
Where are the arts + creative industries now, four years since the COVID pandemic devastated our lives, communities and businesses? Alison Watson, director of the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, has a view of the sector across the state. Alison joined Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact," and we catch up on the current state of the arts. -
Our spaces—the places we live and spend most of our time—can be our happy place. Designing happy spaces is what Kami Michels does. As the director of interiors at Center Design Build, she helps people create a place where they can renew and restore. Kami joins Deb Polich on this edition of WEMU’s "creative:impact" to talk about the art of interior design.
