Deb Polich

Nature can provide a lot of artistic inspiration, especially when looking at flowers.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich talk to Sue Mcleary, who owns and operates Passionflower, an Ann Arbor-based business that specializes in wearable floral arrangements.

The arts create a pathway to community growth and enhanced quality of life.  That is the contention in Pittsfield Township where arts are an official part of the overall master plan.  Township Supervisor Mandy Grewal explains why including the arts is vitally important as the featured guest on this week's edition of 89.1 WEMU's "creative:impact." 

The creative industries are tied to many facets of our personal lives and in our communities.  The health and well-being of this economic sector reaches beyond what many consider, "the arts."  As today is Election Day, this week's "creative:impact" focuses on the importance of elections and a cooperative spirit. 

A grant-funded program is launching in the Washtenaw Intermediate Schools this year aimed at creating greater, and equal, access to creative education across the expanse of the district. Learn more about the "Arts and Creative Integration for Student Excellence," or ACEISE, initiative in this week's presentation of 89.1 WEMU's  "creative:impact."  

Creative industries in Washtenaw County add hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy.  In the weeks and months to come, 89.1. WEMU's David Fair explores how funding works to support the arts and humanities with the President and CEO of The Arts Alliance, Deb Polich. 

Creative industries in Washtenaw County add hundreds of millions of dollars to the local economy. In the weeks and months to come, 89.1 WEMU will explore the people, places and things that serve as the driving force behind one of Michigan's strongest cultural hubs.

Lovers of art will find that there will be plenty to do this summer in Ann Arbor.

89.1 WEMU's Lisa Barry speaks with Omari Rush from the Ann Arbor Art Center, and Deb Polich, director of Artrain and the Ann Arbor Arts Alliance, about a special film event taking place this month benefiting the five Michigan Medicine programs of Big Hearts for Seniors.

Arts funding is the focus of a town hall with Washtenaw County candidates Wednesday evening.

A proposal to increase the hours of parking meter enforcement in downtown Ann Arbor is causing a stir online and in the community today.

Washtenaw County commissioners passed a resolution Wednesday night to merge local convention and visitors bureaus into one countywide department. Some arts advocates, including Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich, are critical of the proposal for not specifying how much funding the new CVB will devote to arts and culture.

The Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs has awarded $9.65 million in grants to various cultural groups in the State. 

Groups in Washtenaw County received a total of $891,055, the third highest amount in the state of Michigan. This was approximately a 19% increase from previous year's total of $749,984 to fund arts and cultural programs in the area.