The University of Michigan’s first-ever Michigan Arts Festival will focus attention on the dynamic arts community at the university and encourages students, faculty, staff, and the general public to interact with the arts through more than 100 activities, many of which are complimentary.
This celebration—coordinated by the U-M Arts Initiative in collaboration with U-M programs, units, and various community collaborators—will take place from Sept. 25 to Oct. 26, showcasing art in multiple forms across U-M’s campuses in Ann Arbor, Dearborn, Detroit, and Flint, as well as at select local venues. Notable events will be held at the Michigan Theater, Hill Auditorium, Taubman College, U-M Museum of Art, Stamps Gallery, North Campus Diag, and more.
Aligned with the university’s “Look to Michigan” initiative and its fundamental pledge to integrate the arts into every student’s experience, the Arts Festival aims to demonstrate that the arts are accessible to everyone. The month-long event serves as a glimpse into the extensive array of arts programming available throughout the year, empowering attendees to explore and prepare for the upcoming year, fostering new and enduring supporters of the arts.
“Surveys conducted on campus indicate that 70% of students desire more art in their lives, and there are numerous avenues for students to engage,” stated Mark Clague, executive director of the Arts Initiative. “For instance, we take pride in the fact that Michigan boasts more arts-oriented student organizations than any other university in the country.”
All are invited to partake in the festivities with a chance to win prizes for attending events through a scavenger hunt-style campaign hosted on Goosechase.
Comprising unique performances, immersive experiences, and unexpected collaborations, the festival aims to inspire creativity, personal discovery, and social connections.
The university emphasizes arts experiences in every student’s education for the distinctive advantages they contribute to an individual’s perspective and outlook.
“The mindset of artists—building upon tradition while embracing originality—offers a learning and innovation model that can benefit every student in diverse fields,” Clague remarked.
“The arts are essential to all our endeavors. They provide a pathway to imagination and experimentation, encouraging every student, staff member, and faculty member to expand their minds, embrace possibilities, challenge the traditional limits of knowledge, materials, and technologies, and even risk complete failure to achieve something unique and extraordinary.”
Festival highlights include:
Sept. 25: Rhiannon Giddens, Penny Stamps Speaker Series
Grammy Award-winning artist and U-M Artist-in-Residence, Rhiannon Giddens, will launch the Arts Festival with a talk titled “Music of the American Underclass – What Really Made America Great” as part of the Penny Stamps Speaker Series. Michigan Theater. Details here.
Sept. 27: Stamps Gallery exhibitions
Stamps Gallery will unveil “The Bureau of Personal Belonging,” an exhibition featuring U-M Witt Artist-in-Residence Stacy Kirby. Details here.
Oct. 2: “Cabaret,” School of Music, Theatre & Dance
The musical theatre department at SMTD will present “Cabaret,” directed by Broadway’s André Garner. Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre. Tickets available here.
Oct. 2-8: Nigamon/Tunai, UMS
UMS will present “Nigamon/Tunai,” a luxurious, nature-inspired immersive theater experience narrating indigenous stories of the Anishinaabe people of Québec and the Inga people of the Colombian Amazon. This is part of U-M Climate Week. Power Center. Tickets available here.
Oct. 16: Roger Reeves, Zell Visiting Writers Series
The College of Literature, Science, and the Arts will host renowned poet and essayist Roger Reeves as part of their visiting writers series. Reeves, who is a finalist for the National Book Award, will engage in a reading and Q&A session. Stern Auditorium, U-M Museum of Art. Details here.
Oct. 24: Feel Good Friday, U-M Museum of Art
UMMA commences its 2025 season of Feel Good Fridays. Open late and full of surprises, this series invites attendees to explore art, music, and culture in a friendly, vibrant environment. Details here.