Last year, the arts world spent most of the summer trying to figure out what to do next. In 2021, a majority of organizations are managing to make something work, whether it’s being done safely in-person or virtually, for now. 

Maryjo Lemanski, visual artist, had been thinking about what to do after the world opened up again; not only what she would do, but what the community would do.

The Urban Institute of Contemporary Art has found a new home downtown Grand Rapids, leaving behind its spacious 2 Fulton location for a charming and historic change. Though only a few blocks away on 17 Pearl Street, the new building will bring about massive shifts for the UICA. 

Last year, the arts world spent most of the summer trying to figure out what to do next. In 2021, a majority of organizations are managing to make something work, whether it’s being done safely in-person or virtually, for now. 

Summertime offers renewed hope for more than just the winter blues; it also allows performing arts to return in a safe, socially distanced way. 

A return to the stage.

In Hollywood, Calif. many old movie theaters have been converted into churches. For Face Off Theatre Company in Kalamazoo, a former church is now their home in Dormouse Theatre.

As the weather finally turns to spring in Southwest Michigan and we look to spend more time outside and less in front of our screens, watching what otherwise would have been a live performance on the computer may be the last thing people thought of doing this weekend.

In 2021, a majority of organizations are managing to make something work, whether it’s being done safely in-person or still virtually, for now. 

Avenue for the Arts curates a new way to collect