Creative Ideas, People, and Projects in the Midwest and Beyond
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Minnesota Owl Birthday Party Takes Off as a Global Art Competition
March 31, 2026
For over two decades, the International Owl Festival in this small Midwestern city reaps art from all over the world to celebrate the magnificent birds.
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Yoop and Behold: The Creative Energy and Endeavors of Bugsy Sailor
This artist, entrepreneur, and “Official Unofficial Ambassador to the U.P.” is on a mission to uplift the Upper Peninsula through quirky creativity and human connection.
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Men’s Sheds: Retooling Community, ‘Purpose’ for Older Iowans
This is the first group of its kind in Iowa. It’s for guys who love lifelong learning, community service, and picking up projects.
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Tune In to Togetherness: Small Town Radio Builds Culture and Connection
This longstanding pillar of a small, northeastern Minnesota city connects devoted listeners to local music, regional culture, and each other.
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Meet Jozefa Rogocki, Expanding the Artistry and Legacy of Pysanky Eggs
This Michigan-based artist combines the strength of tradition with the excitement of innovation on the most delicate of canvases: eggshells.
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Ohio’s Prolific Braille Producer is Making Art More Accessible
January 29, 2026
For over 120 years, Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired has helped people experience art, better.
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Senior Parkour Proves That Age Is Just a Number
December 18, 2025
Community classes in Madison, Wisconsin, bring creative movement and playful approach to physical health and safety.
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Slow Art, Real Connection: Film Lives On in the Midwest
December 8, 2025
Community darkrooms are growing across the region, giving space—and people power—to film photographers, new and experienced alike.
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We’re always looking for collaborators (writers, photographers, illustrators, and community video documenters) to help us tell the next great Midwest story.
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Learn MoreAbout Our Storytelling
Welcome to Arts Midwest’s storytelling work (previously known as the Creativity News Desk).
We amplify Midwestern creativity and the voices of diverse Midwesterners from all backgrounds. Our goal is to help reshape the narrative of the Midwest, moving far beyond “flyover country,” by showcasing our region’s innovation, art, and creativity.
Our stories are created by staff creators and a network of freelancers, and we’re always looking for new collaborators.
Arts Midwest retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our storytelling work. We maintain a firewall between our coverage decisions and sources of all revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not constitute implied or actual endorsement of donors or their products, services, or opinions.
We accept gifts and grants from individuals and organizations for the general support of our activities. Arts Midwest may consider donations to support coverage that aligns with the goals of the news desk and our organizational values. We will cede no right of review or influence of editorial content, nor of unauthorized distribution of editorial content.
We recognize the importance of transparency. We commit to disclosing the names of all donors who support this initiative.
The Creativity News Desk and the Creative Midwest Media Cohort were launched with the generous support of Good Chaos.
Our storytelling work is currently supported by Arts Midwest’s gift from MacKenzie Scott, an unrestricted contribution received in 2021; the National Endowment for the Arts; and the McKnight Foundation.
Questions about storytelling?
Our team is here to help. Get in touch with your questions.
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