What does the Arts Council do?
What are your hours?
How do I become a member?
What do I get for my donation?
What do members get?
Where can I buy tickets to local performances?
How do I get a grant?
What kinds of grant programs do you have?
What is the Art Hop?
What’s on the Art Hop this month?

What does the Arts Council do?
The Arts Council is an organization of artists and arts lovers that supports, promotes and funds the arts in Kalamazoo County. We consult with artists and arts organizations on grants, programs and collaborative projects; assist in art purchases and commissions; and advocate at all governmental levels for the arts in our community. Each year, we facilitate six grant programs. An art gallery in our offices features exhibits that change monthly. Quite simply, we don’t make the arts, but through our many efforts we do make the arts happen.

What are your hours?
We are open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

How do I become a member?
If you’re an artist or arts organization, please see our Member Section or call 269-342-5059 for a membership packet.

What do I get for my donation?
Donors to the Arts Council will receive our quarterly electronic newsletter, monthly Art Hop schedule, advance notice of all grant workshops and special events sponsored by the Arts Council, eligibility for a tax deduction, and an invitation to the annual Community Arts Awards Gala.

What do members get?
ACGK members get our quarterly electronic newsletter, monthly Art Hop schedule, advance notice of all grant workshops and special events sponsored by the Arts Council, and an invitation to the annual Community Arts Awards Gala. Members also have access to Web services, including the creation of a profile page to appear in the Artist Directory, and the ability to post events to the Arts Calendar.

Where can I buy tickets to local performances?
The Community Box Office is located in the first-floor lobby of the Epic Center. It is operated by Miller Auditorium and can issue tickets for Miller Auditorium events, Western Michigan University concerts, Epic Center events and many other performances in the community. Stop by, or call 269-387-2300 or 800-228-9858.

How do I get a grant?
Call to discuss your ideas with us. When you have your proposal sketched out, make an appointment for a personal consultation. You also might attend one of the many grant workshops we offer. Application deadlines vary by program. Anonymous panels of community arts professionals review all grant applications and recommend awards.

What kinds of grant programs do you have?
We operate six grant programs for individual artists and arts organizations: Gilmore Emerging Artist Grant, Arts Fund of Kalamazoo County, Arts Outreach Fund, MCACA Region 15 Mini-Grant, MAGIK (Making Arts Grow in Kalamazoo) and Hospice & Arts Partnership Grant. Applications and guidelines may be viewed and downloaded from this Web site. Those wishing to apply for the first time must make an appointment for a personal consultation with Arts Council staff. Please call 269-342-5059 for an appointment.

What is the Art Hop?
Art Hop is an event that features multiple art exhibits that are open at the same time. Usually held on the first Friday of the month, Art Hop is a fun, friendly, informal happening where people meet friends and family for an evening of art and entertainment. Four times a year the Art Hop is expanded to include downtown Kalamazoo merchants.

What’s on the Art Hop this month?
See the Art Hop section of the Events Calendar for a complete schedule and map.