nov. 30, 2022
Creative Connection is your bi-weekly member-exclusive newsletter providing opportunities such as grants, workshops, calls to artists, jobs, resources and more! (Pictured above: Artist Marissa Tawney Thaler jumps for joy in front of her newly installed artwork as part of the Art Moves REO Project. Learn more about this project and how you can participate here. Photo Credit: Marissa Tawney Thaler)
funding
The world needs you and your creativity, now and every day, so please keep making art, seeking out opportunities, going to those auditions and submitting those applications.
make your pitch
City of Lansing and the Arts Council announce the 2023 Arts Impact Project and pitch competition. Come pitch your project idea to the Arts Impact Project Pitch Panel on Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022, from 4:30 - Last Pitch. Get all the info here. (Photo: Arts Impact Project, Below the Stacks Mural Festival, held in 2019. Photo credit: lansingfamilyfun.com)
calls to artists
local/Michigan...
ShopUICA of Grand Rapids, Michigan, is looking for zines! They are seeking to cultivate a diverse collection of zines about art/design, poetry, stories, DIY, food, music, etc. The Shop at UICA works with students, regional artists, and exhibiting artists on a consignment contract of a 60/40 split. Merchandise must be ready for sale. Deadline: Jan. 27, 2023.

and beyond...
Camelback Gallery invites all artists 18 years and older to submit entries for their online 5th annual Realism Painting Competition. Cash awards go to the top twp! Seeking all forms of realism art in any subject matter. Photorealism, surrealism, hyperrealism, magical realism and traditional realism. This is a competition, only the award recipients will be in the online group exhibition. Deadline: Dec. 4, 2022.

The Berkeley Arts Council of Martinsburg, West Virginia, seeks entries for its juried photography exhibition, "My Home Town." Open to all artists throughout the continental U.S. Do you live in a town or community that retains the look and feel of a bygone era? We are looking for your photos that portray the activity in a town of today against a backdrop of earlier times. Deadline: Dec. 7, 2022. 

Purple Octopus Art online platform is calling for artists who are survivors, patients in treatment, caregivers of, close family members of patients who have suffered or are currently suffering from breast, cervical, ovarian or other gynecological cancers to share their art for a printed art book and online exhibition, "The Cancer Feminine: Art, Inspiration, Truth." Through the vehicle of artful expression, they offer hope to patients, healers, caregivers and victims. Eligible media: 2D and 3D artwork, photography, sculpture, music, poetry, expressive writing, video of performance art, Multi-media. Deadline: Dec. 29, 2022.
workshops
december grant chat
Let's talk about grants! Grant Chats are casual drop-in gatherings held at area cafés. They offer anyone an opportunity to chat with our membership and program manager Taylor Haslett about project and funding ideas, grant opportunities, membership and more! Drop by Chateau Coffee Co. on Dec. 9, 2022, between 11 - 1 p.m. or email Taylor to get more details. Learn more.
creative warrior writing workshop
For many, this time of year brings with it painful memories. Join author Allison Spooner on Dec. 4, 2022, from 10 - 11:30 a.m. for this virtual workshop as she provides writing prompts and techniques to write your way through the holidays while still separating yourself from your story using fiction. This workshop will take place over Zoom. Learn more and register.
calling entrepreneurs
Starting Wednesday, applications will be open for LEAP's first-ever Ingham County One and All Program! This cohort will run from February - April 2023 and has been generously funded by the Ingham County Board of Commissioners with money specifically reserved for small-business owners in Ingham County.

One and All is an eight-week program designed to support more equitable access to successful entrepreneurship and small-business ownership through a combination of webinar-based learning, networking, mentorship, business coaching, engagement with subject matter experts and access to an extended resource network.  Learn more.
on the horizon
We have so many exciting things coming your way in the new year, so get out your calendars and fill them in with the following upcoming smARTS Workshops and Grant Chats. Stay tuned for more details coming soon.

Grant Chat -- Blue Owl, East Lansing, Jan. 9, 2023, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
smARTS Workshop -- Finances for Artists (date and time TBD)
smARTS Workshop -- Advocacy for the Arts and You (virtual) Feb. 6, 2023, noon- 2:00 p.m.
Grant Chat -- Strange Matter, Eastside, Feb. 8, 2023, 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.
everybody renew!
have you heard the news?
It's such an exciting time of year. Why? Because it's time to renew your Arts Council membership! And when you do, you get so many awesome benefits--including this newsletter made especially for you. Just click the button below! And we will make sure you don't miss out on any of your member-only opportunities. Stay connected to your creative community with membership!
Don't forget to check our Events Calendar for upcoming arts and cultural festivals and events in our area! If you know an organization or event organizer who should be a member of our Festival Alliance, have them contact Taylor at taylor@lansingarts.org for more info.
Come on...WOW us!
We want to share your stuff. Send your photos of your art things and creative happenings! We want to share them in this bi-weekly newsletter. Let all of your fellow members know what you are creating and doing.
Share the love! Email dawn@lansingarts.org with all the goods.
holiday break
As the holiday season is upon us, we would like to wish you and yours lots of joy, love and time with family and friends. Don't forget to support small business, artists and arts and cultural organizations as you shop this season. Please note that the Arts Council team will be taking a break from Dec. 26 - Jan. 2. We will see you in the New Year.
visit lansingarts.org for complete arts info!