Deb Polich

The arts are an essential part of living here in Washtenaw County and all over Michigan and the area's creative talent drives the economy.  That is why organizations like the Arts Alliance and Creative Many Michigan exist.  Jennifer Goulet is the  outgoing president and CEO of Creative Many Michigan. She discusses arts advocacy with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

Ann Arbor resident Cathy Gendron describes herself as "someone with a serious need to draw," and that need has led to quite a career.  She talks about her artistic journey with WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich in this week's "creative:impact."

In this week's "creative:impact," prepare for a rare WEMU crossover event!  WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance president and CEO Deb Polich talk with Michigan and State Theater executive director--and "Cinema Chat" co-host--Russ Collins!  They'll discuss  what operating movie theaters means to the economic and community growth.

Music certainly plays a large part in the artistic world.  It can also stimulate the academic part of our brains, too.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance president and CEO Deb Polich found the perfect person with which to to explore the subject.  Dr. Mark Clague is a noted musicologist and is Associate Dean of Academic and Student Affairs at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. 

Literature and the arts--collectively known as the humanities--are an essential part of our culture from a local to a global level.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich talk about how the humanities affect our world view and understanding with Amanda Krugliak, the arts curator and assistant director of arts programming at the University of Michigan's Institute for the Humanities.

When people think of lasers, they usually think of things like laser pointers, corrective eye surgery, or epic battles in a science-fiction movie.  But one Ann Arbor native has found ways to make lasers into art.  Mike Gould, co-founder of Illuminatus Lasers, joins WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich to talk about his craft in this week's "creative:impact."

Primary election day is a week away: Tuesday, August 7th.  The Creative Washtenaw Votes 2018 August Primary Survey includes responses and answers to hard questions about issues that are important to the creative sector, from candidates running for mayor to governors and the county commissioner.  Thirty-three candidates running in races at the local, state and national level responded.  What have we learned?  Find out in this week's 'creative:impact' with WEMU's David Fair and Deb Polich, the president and CEO of The Arts Alliance. 

A lot of people work are working hard to make sure you never know they are there.  They work lighting, costuming, sound, stage maintenance, and projection at the film and live events you attend.  It is an important component of the area's cultural sector and the focus on this week's "creative:impact" on 89,1 WEMU. 

Do you have a fear of public speaking?  Presenting on stage?  In this week's edition of WEMU's 'creative:impact,' we explore performance anxiety issues with Dr. Julie Jaffee Nagel of Ann Arbor.  Dr. Nagel was a Julliard-trained concert pianist with some performance fears.  She now runs a therapeutic enterprise to help others address those same issues and has authored the book, "Managing Stage Fright." 

In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair talks to Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich about developments in the arts community, so far, in the first quarter of 2018.  Additionally, they discuss what else is coming up in the arts world later this year.

The Neutral Zone has been doing great work with Ann Arbor-area kids for a long time.  Did you know it has its own record label?  'Youth Owned Records' is teaching kids the ins and outs of the music business with some life lessons thrown in for good measure.  Learn more in this week's edition of 89.1 WEMU's "creative:impact."

Renovating the historic State Theatre was a huge undertaking, but it took a certain kind of artist to make its marquee light up the Ann Arbor streets again.  In this week's "creative:impact," WEMU's David Fair and Arts Alliance CEO Deb Polich talk to Mark Chalou, who owns and operates Chalou Designs, which builds neon signs for local businesses.

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.