Our mission is to engage communities, inspire local arts organizations and bring all forms of art to the West Michigan area with top quality performances and events, as well as exceptional, distinctive, coordinated programming.
OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS
Leigh Engelbrecht - Chair
James Connelly - Vice Chair
Don Brightman - Treasurer
Jessica Dawson - Secretary
Linda Humbert - Executive Director
Anna Brothers - Director
Peter Bouchard
Isabel Gauthier
Deb Havens
Sarah McGee
Garrett TenHave-Chapman
Join the Board
WMAC currently has one opening for a new Director on our Board for 2024. We're seeking a candidate with passion for the arts and specific experience in WIX website editing. Our Board of Directors meets monthly in person or via Zoom. We host annual fundraising events and assist our 20 member groups with their events and meetings. Please click on this link to download the board application and email us at wmartscouncil@gmail.com.
Experience is not necessary, enthusiasm is!
THANK YOU
Thank you to the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for their generous support of the arts in our state and across the country. WMAC was recently awarded a 2025 Operational Support grant for a total of $17,500. These funds are vitally important as we continue to work and build our schedule of performances, events and classes. We deeply appreciate their support. $13,202 was provided from the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and $4,298 was provided from the National Endowment for the Arts.
This activity is supported by the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
30 YEARS SUPPORTING THE ARTS
The West Michigan Arts Council (WMAC) was formed as a nonprofit 501(c)3 back in 1994. Since then we've gone through several name changes (including Creative Art Center and Arts Rockford), growing and expanding our audience into the eight counties surrounding the city of Grand Rapids and we continue to grow more each year.
WMAC supports other local arts groups in western Michigan. We provide marketing design and access to low-cost printing for nonprofits. We also provide legal assistance to nonprofits with incorporation, state and federal filings as well as helping with fundraising efforts and grant applications.
WMAC produces a major Seasonal Youth Art Enrichment Program starting in April and continuing through August with up to 20 sessions and concerts held in the Sparta area. These sessions are free for youth, appropriate for ages 7-14, and also include free family concerts and activities.
We host an annual Dinner Theater event scheduled in 2025 for August 1st & 2nd. This is our major annual fundraising event, with a full catered dinner, cash bar and a live theater performance directed by Kent Schuster and performed by the Hit'N'Run Players. This year, we'll be presenting "Exit Laughing," by Paul Elliott and for the first time, the event will be on both Friday and Saturday nights! Tickets will be available soon, watch this website for information!
In 2024 we launched a new program, the Sparta Art Walk, featuring original art by West Michigan artists placed on exhibit in local Sparta downtown businesses. These works are exhibited for 2 months, September and October, and most of them are for sale! Maps are provided to Sparta visitors with additinal informatin about artists and locations.
On the Friday before Thanksgiving, we join the annual holiday festivities produced by the Sparta Chamber of Commerce. In addition to the annual sidewalk sale, parade and fireworks, we operate a Warm-Up facility in the Sparta Civic Center. This event features live holiday music, a large trqain display, free cookies for the kids and a cash bar with warm or cold drinks, non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages.....and of course, heated fully accessible restrooms.
Our office is in the beautifully renovated Downtown Development Authority / Chamber of Commerce building in the Village of Sparta. We're happy to continue building our annual schedule of events. The Chamber building is now open Monday - Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. We're very grateful to the Village of Sparta for allowing us to use the Sparta Civic Center, the Rogers Park Band Shell and other public areas for fundraising events and performances.
All West Michigan nonprofit arts groups are encouraged to contact us regarding becoming a member of the West Michigan Arts Council. There are many benefits and - at this time - there's no cost to join as a member group. Visit the Contact page for more information on becoming a group member of WMAC.