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Arts Midwest 2025 Wrapped

by Arts Midwest

A collage-style image featuring a bassist playing an electric guitar, a group of performers in matching light-colored outfits looking upward, and an Indigenous dancer performing with hoops, layered over bold geometric color blocks.
Scenes from 2025 at Arts Midwest, featuring images from Dirty Dungarees, Catskill Mountain Shakespeare, and the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra.

A look at the creativity you powered — and the stories you couldn’t get enough of.

Hey, you!

You really showed up for Midwestern creativity in 2025, and we want to say thanks.

Creativity is what makes the Midwest feel connected, curious, and full of possibility. But it doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s because of you!

Whether you were making art, holding together an organization, or cheering from the sidelines, you helped creativity keep flourishing this year.

And we’re so grateful.

We’re honored to amplify your efforts through Arts Midwest’s resources, grants, and stories championing the creative Midwest and beyond.

Here’s what our 2025 looked like, together:

A large ensemble performs onstage in colorful choir robes, singing and dancing with raised hands in front of a stained-glass church backdrop
Photo Credit: Black Arts MKE

Join Arts Midwest’s efforts to strengthen and amplify creativity across the Midwest.

Sign Up for Updates
A musician with long hair plays an electric bass guitar against a bright orange background. Text reads “You loved DIY Everything.”

You loved stories about DIY everything.

There’s something unmistakably Midwestern about rolling up your sleeves and making it work, wherever you are, with whatever you’ve got.

You gravitated to stories about people who didn’t wait for permission to get creative:

You helped power creativity in communities.

Support from our donors and partners fueled opportunities for organizations in the Midwest and across the nation. These grants brought artists into schools, libraries, parks, and public spaces, connecting people through creative experiences.
Explore Grant Opportunities
A large silver fish puppet with wings is carried through a crowd outdoors during a parade. Text reads “You loved Midwest Quirk.”

You loved stories about Midwest quirk.

The Midwest is full of joyful weirdness that’s whimsical, curious, and deeply rooted in place.

You couldn’t get enough of stories that celebrated curious, collective expressions of Midwestern creativity:

You helped artists get their flowers.

You showed up to celebrate Midwestern artists doing deeply meaningful work — from culture bearers to artists with disabilities to community-rooted creative leaders.
Explore Awards
A person adjusts a custom prosthetic leg for another person seated on a workbench; smaller inset photo shows two people smiling outdoors while holding woven baskets. Text reads “You loved Arts & Wellness.”

You loved stories about arts and wellness.

All across the Midwest, people build connection, healing, and belonging through art.

You were drawn to stories about creativity that supports well-being:

You got a little nerdy (in the best way).

You dove into tools, guides, and webinars designed to spark new ideas and support creative leaders.
Explore Resources

Together, we created so much.

Year

  • Invested
  • Participants
  • Grants Awarded
  • Communities Reached
A vocalist in a flowing purple dress sings with joy while a guitarist plays seated beside her, accompanied by a student choir in the background.
Photo Credit: Suncast Studios

Just as 2025 was ending, something extraordinary happened.

Arts Midwest received a historic donation from MacKenzie Scott — the largest in our organization’s history.

Learn More

And you’re part of what comes next.

In 2026, we’re thinking big and bold about how to support Midwestern creativity in meaningful and enduring ways.

If you’d like to help shape what comes next, consider making a donation.

Every contribution, at any level, helps keep Midwestern creativity visible, valued, and thriving.

Graphic with bold text reading “More Arts. More Creativity. More Midwest Magic.” with the Arts Midwest logo on a dark background.

Here’s to another year of you.

Thank you for showing up in 2025.

For making art.

For supporting artists.

For building community.

And for believing that creativity belongs to everyone, everywhere.

Here’s to more Midwestern magic in 2026.

XOXO

Arts Midwest