{"id":11610,"date":"2025-07-16T18:12:37","date_gmt":"2025-07-16T18:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/?post_type=update&#038;p=11610"},"modified":"2026-03-26T01:57:27","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T01:57:27","slug":"what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort","status":"publish","type":"update","link":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/","title":{"rendered":"What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>How can Arts Midwest support media coverage for arts and culture in the Midwest?<\/em> &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That question led to the design and launch of our Creative Midwest Media Cohort pilot program in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the time, we were deepening our own commitment to storytelling. But we knew we weren\u2019t the only ones doing this kind of work. We wanted to support and connect others across the region who were also telling powerful stories of Midwestern creativity.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, in 2024 we invited 10 Midwest-based media organizations to be part of the Creative Midwest Media Cohort. Each outlet received a $15,000 grant to create a project focused on arts, culture, and creativity in the Midwest.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We structured it as a year-long pilot program, so that we could support work being done over an extended period, meet in person, and learn from the experience together.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<section  class=\"wp-block-stats  container-fluid\">\n      <ul class=\"list-none border-t border-purple mt-12 lg:mt-20 pt-12 lg:py-20 text-purple flex flex-wrap gap-x-14\">\n              <li class=\"list-item mt-12 mb-15 flex-1\">\n                      <figure class=\"text-6xl md:text-7xl xl:text-8xl\">\n              21\n                              <figcaption class=\"text-xl xl:text-2xl\">\n                  <p>Cohort Participants<\/p>\n\n                <\/figcaption>\n                          <\/figure>\n                  <\/li>\n              <li class=\"list-item mt-12 mb-15 flex-1\">\n                      <figure class=\"text-6xl md:text-7xl xl:text-8xl\">\n              140+\n                              <figcaption class=\"text-xl xl:text-2xl\">\n                  <p>Midwest Cities Covered in Stories<\/p>\n\n                <\/figcaption>\n                          <\/figure>\n                  <\/li>\n              <li class=\"list-item mt-12 mb-15 flex-1\">\n                      <figure class=\"text-6xl md:text-7xl xl:text-8xl\">\n              210+\n                              <figcaption class=\"text-xl xl:text-2xl\">\n                  <p>Artists Featured in Stories<\/p>\n\n                <\/figcaption>\n                          <\/figure>\n                  <\/li>\n          <\/ul>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n<section  class=\"wp-block-cards    site-padding py-10 sm:py-22.5 relative\" data-block-index=\"0\" style=\"z-index:5;\">\n  <div class=\"main-col z-10 relative \">\n    <div class=\"mb-5 sm:pl-5\">\n              <h2 class=\"  text-7.5xl leading-1.3 sm:font-light sm:text-4xl sm:leading-4\/3 mb-5\">\n          Special Projects &#038; Stories\n        <\/h2>\n      \n              <div class=\"mb-5 font-serif max-w-prose text-lg leading-1.5\">\n          In total, participating organizations published close to 120 stories about Midwestern creativity through the program, produced by more than 50 media professionals and creatives. It&#8217;s estimated that these stories received upwards of 127k views cumulatively. \n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n\n          <ul class=\"list-none p-0 -mx-2.5 sm:mx-auto sm:grid sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-5 sm:gap-y-[3.75rem] \">\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"group cursor-pointer relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-full grid lg:grid-cols-3 gap-x-[3.75rem]  bg-light-green hover:border-light-green focus-within:border-light-green hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"relative z-10 self-center lg:col-start-3\">\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3 class=\"text-2xl lg:text-4xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\">\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.buffalosfire.com\/dentalium\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                For the love of Dentalium\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p class=\"hidden lg:block mt-8 mb-8 font-serif text-base xl:mb-20\">\n            Buffalo\u2019s Fire interviewed scientists, historians, vendors, and artists, all of whom explained how the long-prized dentalium shells remain in demand after centuries of use.\n          <\/p>\n              <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n      <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"relative z-0 row-start-2 lg:row-start-1 col-start-1 mb-6 lg:col-span-2 lg:mb-0\">\n\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dentalium_3-1024x576.jpeg\" class=\"aspect-[3\/2] object-cover w-full\" alt=\"A group of people in traditional Native regalia preparing for a performance.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 806px,\n                      (min-width: 1280px) calc((100vw - 15.75rem) * 2\/3),\n                      (min-width: 1024px) calc((100vw - 11.75rem) * 2\/3),\n                      (min-width: 640px) calc(100vw - 3.25rem),\n                      calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dentalium_3-1024x576.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dentalium_3-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dentalium_3-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dentalium_3-1536x864.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/dentalium_3-2048x1152.jpeg 2048w\" \/>\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n  \n<\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-purple hover:border-light-purple focus-within:border-light-purple hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"783\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Detail-of-marlena-myles-map-1024x783.jpeg\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"Illustrated map featuring landmarks labeled in Dakota language.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Detail-of-marlena-myles-map-1024x783.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Detail-of-marlena-myles-map-300x229.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Detail-of-marlena-myles-map-768x587.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Detail-of-marlena-myles-map.jpeg 1514w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/barnraisingmedia.com\/reports\/reimagining-rural-cartographies\/\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                Reimagining Rural Cartographies\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            Barn Raiser\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              Reimagining Rural Cartographies features written and photo essays that create or examine nontraditional and living maps of the Midwest.\n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-coral hover:border-light-coral focus-within:border-light-coral hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Fields-mockup-1-1-1536x1024-1-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"A hand turns a book page.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Fields-mockup-1-1-1536x1024-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Fields-mockup-1-1-1536x1024-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Fields-mockup-1-1-1536x1024-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Fields-mockup-1-1-1536x1024-1.jpg 1536w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/dovetailmag.com\/shop\/fields\/\"\n                target=\"\"\n              >\n                Special Issue: Fields\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            Dovetail Magazine\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              Focused on contemporary artists based in or with ties to the Midwest, Fields delves into artistic influences and stories that extend around the world while illuminating experiences connecting us all.\n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-green hover:border-light-green focus-within:border-light-green hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSCF2624-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"A masked person writing on a sheet of paper.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSCF2624-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSCF2624-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSCF2624-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSCF2624-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/DSCF2624.jpg 2048w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/sixtyinchesfromcenter.org\/meet-sixtys-midwest-arts-writers-fellowship-cohort\/\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                Meet Sixty\u2019s Midwest Arts Writers Fellowship Cohort!\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            Sixty Inches From Center\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              Meet the inaugural Fellows and Runner-Ups for the Midwest Arts Writers Fellowship: Dr. Treasure Shields Redmond, Yonci Jameson, Juleana Enright, and Nasreen Khan.\n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-purple hover:border-light-purple focus-within:border-light-purple hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"687\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/input_bonjo_rva-5-1024x687.jpg\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"A person standing indoors looking down at a canvas painting.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/input_bonjo_rva-5-1024x687.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/input_bonjo_rva-5-300x201.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/input_bonjo_rva-5-768x515.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/input_bonjo_rva-5-1536x1030.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/input_bonjo_rva-5.jpg 1600w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.inputfortwayne.com\/features\/BonJo-CS-AM.aspx\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                Meet BonJo: A painter helping shape the future of Fort Wayne\u2019s creative community\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            Input Fort Wayne\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              When BonJo moved to Fort Wayne during her junior year of high school, she began immersing herself in the local art community, but she was an artist long before that.\n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-coral hover:border-light-coral focus-within:border-light-coral hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"539\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-2.44.16\u202fPM-1024x539.png\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"Four seated people at a table with SDPB signage.\" style=\"object-position: 80% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-2.44.16\u202fPM-1024x539.png 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-2.44.16\u202fPM-300x158.png 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-2.44.16\u202fPM-768x404.png 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-2.44.16\u202fPM-1536x808.png 1536w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Screenshot-2025-07-01-at-2.44.16\u202fPM-2048x1078.png 2048w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.sdpb.org\/show\/in-the-moment\/2024-09-20\/meet-a-few-authors-artists-telling-stories-for-the-next-generation\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                Meet a few authors &#038; artists telling stories for the next generation\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            SDPB\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              &#8220;Wings of an Eagle&#8221; is a new children&#8217;s book that chronicles the Olympic trials of gold medalist Billy Mills. The book&#8217;s author, illustrator and subject speak to a live audience in SDPB&#8217;s studio.\n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-green hover:border-light-green focus-within:border-light-green hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"696\" height=\"565\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Miriam-696x696-1-e1751401655589.png\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"A person in Dia de los Muertos skull makeup and a floral outfit.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Miriam-696x696-1-e1751401655589.png 696w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Miriam-696x696-1-e1751401655589-300x244.png 300w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/holaamericanews.com\/how-lucha-libre-told-the-story-of-a-community\/\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                How Lucha Libre Told the Story of a Community\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            Hola Iowa\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              Luchadores is a photo documentary project by artist, photographer, professional multi-hyphenate, Miriam Alarc\u00f3n Avila, who interviewed Latino immigrants in Iowa. \n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n    \n    \n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"z-0 absolute inset-0 -bottom-[18vw] overflow-hidden pointer-events-none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n      <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"hidden\" width=\"449\" height=\"228\" viewBox=\"0 0 449 228\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M447.99 0.519983C444.72 -3.33002 428.33 15.37 427.13 16.64C418.54 25.71 410.44 35.28 403.14 45.41C401.18 48.12 399.28 50.87 397.39 53.62C397.1 53.88 396.82 54.13 396.53 54.39C393.67 56.93 390.78 59.43 387.96 62.01C379.47 69.78 371.63 78.16 364.27 87.01C360.67 91.34 357.19 95.75 353.76 100.21C353.13 101.03 352.5 101.85 351.87 102.66C351.34 103.18 350.85 103.9 350.38 104.54C350.31 104.63 350.24 104.73 350.17 104.82C350.12 104.87 350.08 104.93 350.03 104.98C349.72 105.33 349.4 105.69 349.08 106.04C348.89 106.23 348.7 106.42 348.51 106.61C348.32 106.8 348.17 106.94 348.05 107.07C348.03 107.09 348.02 107.09 348 107.11C347.39 107.59 345.41 108.99 347.05 107.95C346.11 108.54 345.09 109.29 344.51 109.22C342.48 108.97 341.1 106.2 340.37 104.59C339.36 102.37 338.84 99.96 337.82 97.74C336.44 94.73 334.25 92.03 331.92 89.71C327 84.81 320.84 81.23 313.8 80.9C301.6 80.34 289.96 87.19 280.86 94.62C274.1 100.14 267.34 105.64 260.56 111.13C257.11 113.92 253.66 116.71 250.18 119.46C249.29 120.16 245.91 122.44 248.87 120.51C245.4 122.75 242.11 125.3 238.67 127.6C231.28 132.54 223.88 137.46 216.55 142.48C213.02 144.9 209.47 147.3 205.85 149.58C204.08 150.7 202.4 151.95 200.79 153.29L201.49 152.53C201.97 152.13 202.43 151.83 202.63 151.71C202.5 151.78 202.24 151.92 201.82 152.14C200.83 152.65 199.87 153.18 198.84 153.61C196.43 154.61 193.84 155.23 191.23 154.8C181.88 153.27 182.18 141.35 182.86 134.27C183.3 129.76 184.49 122.93 181.26 119.12C178.8 116.22 176.2 114.11 172.19 114.49C167.62 114.93 163.57 117.06 159.64 119.24C147.87 125.78 136.12 132.32 124.35 138.86C114.7 144.22 105.09 149.65 95.4002 154.95C72.2802 167.6 50.6202 182.77 26.9802 194.49C24.3502 195.79 21.4702 199.31 19.5902 201.29C15.7702 205.31 12.1102 209.58 8.69021 213.94C6.04021 217.32 3.22021 220.74 1.13021 224.5C0.810212 225.08 -1.13979 228.31 1.01021 227.25C24.0802 215.81 45.0202 200.76 67.6902 188.65C77.5502 183.38 87.2502 177.81 97.0202 172.37C108.88 165.78 120.72 159.2 132.58 152.6C136.35 150.5 140.32 147.96 144.73 147.66C146.34 147.55 148.05 147.69 149.46 148.56C150.3 149.07 150.67 149.82 151.34 150.47C152.24 151.36 153.33 152.04 154 153.18C156.83 157.98 155.09 164.74 154.72 169.91C154.14 178.06 156.3 189.26 166.77 188.02C171 187.52 174.77 185.79 178.19 183.39C190.8 175.61 202.99 166.98 215.24 158.66C222.22 153.92 228.82 148.77 235.39 143.48C242.2 137.99 248.99 132.46 255.77 126.94C263.51 120.62 272.67 114.69 283.34 114.14C295.97 113.49 307.26 122.98 311.28 134.51C312.36 137.61 314.13 143.51 318.43 142.15C322.56 140.84 326.27 136.69 329.34 133.84C338.18 125.62 346.2 116.38 353.94 107.14C356.55 104.03 359.11 100.88 361.62 97.69C363.28 95.58 364.9 93.44 366.54 91.31C367.96 90 369.39 88.71 371.48 86.87C389.28 71.19 404.7 53.6 418.13 34.06C418.16 34.03 418.17 34.02 418.16 34.02C418.19 33.98 418.21 33.95 418.24 33.91C418.49 33.75 418.74 33.6 419.02 33.49C419.45 33.31 419.52 33 420.17 33.76C421.46 35.28 434.67 19.87 435.76 18.55C439.02 14.63 442.31 10.66 445.12 6.40998C445.71 5.51998 448.89 1.57998 448.03 0.559983L447.99 0.519983ZM349.57 105.7C349.66 105.59 349.76 105.47 349.86 105.34C350.05 105.11 350.22 104.91 350.31 104.78C350.31 104.77 350.33 104.76 350.34 104.74C350.18 105.07 349.9 105.39 349.57 105.7ZM350.88 103.96C350.88 103.96 350.84 104.01 350.82 104.04C351.22 103.51 351.82 102.73 351.87 102.67C351.54 103.1 351.21 103.52 350.89 103.95L350.88 103.96ZM364.7 92.99C363.19 94.62 364.1 93.6 364.7 92.99V92.99ZM414.98 36.82C414.98 36.82 415.53 36.24 416.03 35.72C416.21 35.54 416.39 35.35 416.53 35.21C415.95 35.95 415.26 36.79 414.98 36.82ZM420.73 30.03C420.89 29.79 421.07 29.57 421.24 29.34C421.41 29.15 421.58 28.95 421.7 28.81C421.38 29.22 421.05 29.62 420.73 30.03Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>      <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"hidden\" width=\"462\" height=\"233\" viewBox=\"0 0 462 233\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M461.82 0.429978C460.76 -0.910022 457.68 1.26998 456.92 1.73998C449.19 6.49998 442.39 13.27 436 19.64C431.03 24.6 426.19 29.78 422.01 35.43C418.3 40.45 415.01 45.77 411.24 50.74C410.77 51.36 410.29 51.98 409.79 52.6C409.7 52.71 408.95 53.6 408.81 53.78C408.58 54.03 408.35 54.29 408.12 54.55C408.15 54.53 408.17 54.51 408.2 54.49C408.2 54.49 408.2 54.49 408.19 54.5C408.16 54.52 408.14 54.54 408.11 54.57C408.08 54.61 408.04 54.64 408.01 54.68C407.99 54.7 407.97 54.72 407.95 54.74C407.97 54.73 407.98 54.71 408 54.7C407.98 54.72 407.97 54.74 407.95 54.75C407.95 54.75 407.95 54.75 407.94 54.76C406.88 55.71 405.83 56.67 404.77 57.61C398.82 62.87 392.88 68.14 387.32 73.82C379.34 81.96 372.76 91.22 365.54 99.99C364.39 99.22 363.52 97.62 363.02 96.58C361.98 94.39 361.47 91.98 360.45 89.79C357.76 84.01 352.1 78.83 346.32 76.23C332.09 69.82 315.56 80.21 304.95 88.98C304.79 89.11 304.66 89.22 304.54 89.32C303.89 89.85 303.24 90.38 302.59 90.91C301.1 92.13 299.61 93.34 298.12 94.55C294.48 97.51 290.84 100.47 287.19 103.43C283.92 106.08 280.65 108.72 277.36 111.33C276.84 111.74 276.33 112.15 275.81 112.55C275.73 112.61 275.65 112.67 275.57 112.73C274.77 113.32 273.96 113.9 273.15 114.48C272.89 114.66 271.71 115.49 271.56 115.59C264.5 120.44 257.29 125.06 250.24 129.91C246.79 132.29 243.34 134.66 239.82 136.93C238.16 138.01 236.49 139.05 234.86 140.15C234.82 140.17 234.77 140.19 234.69 140.22C234.88 140.09 235.07 139.96 235.26 139.83C235.21 139.83 235.03 139.99 234.97 140.02C234.79 140.12 234.61 140.23 234.43 140.34C234.06 140.52 233.69 140.7 233.32 140.87C231.64 141.62 229.87 142.15 228.04 142.39C223.96 142.62 220.7 140.66 218.99 136.87C216.17 130.6 218.24 123.86 218.3 117.31C218.33 113.95 217.85 110.81 215.3 108.48C213.45 106.8 212.42 105.28 209.64 105.17C205.44 104.99 201.46 106.84 197.88 108.82C195.63 110.06 193.38 111.32 191.13 112.57C188.08 114.26 185.05 116.29 181.87 117.72C181.55 117.83 180.71 118.17 180.49 118.27C178.31 119.33 176.18 120.49 174.06 121.67C170.82 123.47 167.71 125.49 164.51 127.35C162.6 128.46 160.64 129.5 158.7 130.58C151.78 134.43 144.85 138.28 137.93 142.13C137.43 142.41 136.93 142.69 136.43 142.96C136.31 143.02 136.03 143.16 135.8 143.29C134.63 143.9 133.47 144.55 132.3 145.19C130.42 146.22 128.56 147.26 126.72 148.35C119.62 152.56 112.61 156.93 105.55 161.21C91.5699 169.7 77.6498 178.29 63.7098 186.85C49.7098 195.45 35.8098 204.31 21.4998 212.39C21.4998 212.39 21.4898 212.39 21.4798 212.4C21.2798 212.5 21.0898 212.61 20.8998 212.71C15.6898 215.31 11.1198 219.9 6.95984 223.9C4.88984 225.9 2.69984 227.9 0.959844 230.2C0.789844 230.43 -0.880156 232.76 0.619844 232.01C4.53984 230.05 8.27984 227.69 12.0398 225.44C18.3498 221.66 24.6298 217.83 30.9098 214C44.1098 205.93 57.2898 197.81 70.4698 189.71C86.3598 179.94 102.19 170.01 118.51 160.99C127.96 155.76 137.52 150.67 146.85 145.23C149.35 143.77 151.79 142.19 154.3 140.74C157.41 138.95 160.7 137.52 163.83 135.79C165.79 134.71 167.74 133.62 169.7 132.53C172.66 130.88 175.62 129.24 178.58 127.59C178.89 127.42 179.2 127.24 179.51 127.07C179.57 127.04 179.62 127.02 179.7 126.98C180.38 126.66 181.06 126.33 181.76 126.05C183.43 125.37 185.16 124.86 186.95 124.62C188.85 124.51 190.82 124.81 192.21 126.25C192.59 126.64 192.79 127.16 193.14 127.54C193.64 128.08 194.41 128.38 194.9 128.99C195.84 130.15 196.25 131.75 196.49 133.2C197.56 139.61 194.98 146.09 196.23 152.49C197.03 156.6 199.25 160.81 203.68 161.69C206.89 162.33 210.38 161.39 213.3 160.05C214.75 159.39 216.17 158.62 217.5 157.76C217.82 157.55 218.13 157.33 218.45 157.11C227.44 151.58 235.97 145.34 244.78 139.53C252.19 134.64 259.57 129.73 266.55 124.24C275.78 116.99 284.84 109.52 293.93 102.11C294.73 101.45 295.54 100.8 296.34 100.14C297.18 99.68 297.97 99.19 298.77 98.77C303.45 96.32 308.45 94.44 313.71 93.84C321.27 93.36 327.81 96.38 333.2 101.62C335.55 103.9 337.76 106.6 339.05 109.64C340.1 112.12 340.63 114.85 342.05 117.17C343.01 118.74 344.35 120.19 346.31 119.73C348.63 119.19 350.89 117.27 352.74 115.91C361.11 109.78 368.64 102.43 375.75 94.91C383.65 86.56 390.38 77.36 397.64 68.47C397.89 68.17 398.14 67.86 398.39 67.56C398.47 67.46 398.82 67.06 399.01 66.83C399.1 66.73 399.18 66.64 399.2 66.62C399.44 66.35 399.68 66.08 399.93 65.82C399.9 65.84 399.88 65.85 399.85 65.88C399.89 65.86 399.92 65.82 399.96 65.79C400.04 65.7 400.12 65.61 400.2 65.52C400.28 65.44 400.36 65.37 400.44 65.29C400.45 65.28 400.47 65.26 400.48 65.25C400.48 65.25 400.48 65.25 400.49 65.24C400.53 65.21 400.56 65.17 400.6 65.14C400.62 65.13 400.63 65.11 400.65 65.1C400.7 65.05 400.75 65.01 400.8 64.96C401.58 64.26 402.36 63.56 403.14 62.87C404.61 61.57 406.09 60.28 407.56 58.98C415.66 51.79 423.71 44.27 430.35 35.68C433.2 31.99 435.78 28.09 438.41 24.24C439.45 22.72 440.5 21.22 441.6 19.74C441.68 19.63 441.76 19.53 441.84 19.43C444.92 17.66 451.28 11.86 452.01 11.2C454.54 8.90998 457.09 6.57998 459.35 4.01998C459.78 3.53998 462.34 1.06998 461.82 0.409978V0.429978ZM20.9698 212.73C20.2998 213.11 21.0398 212.68 21.4598 212.45C21.2998 212.54 21.1298 212.63 20.9698 212.73ZM21.4898 212.44C21.5798 212.39 21.6498 212.35 21.6898 212.34C21.6198 212.37 21.5598 212.41 21.4898 212.44ZM233.27 141.27C233.36 141.19 233.45 141.12 233.54 141.04C233.84 140.83 234.14 140.62 234.44 140.42C234.52 140.38 234.6 140.34 234.67 140.3C234.2 140.62 233.73 140.94 233.26 141.27H233.27ZM304.38 89.46C302.96 90.63 303.58 90.12 304.38 89.46V89.46ZM305.21 88.78C305.01 88.95 304.8 89.11 304.6 89.28C305.02 88.93 305.44 88.59 305.61 88.46C305.48 88.57 305.35 88.67 305.21 88.78ZM408.44 54.31C408.44 54.31 408.46 54.29 408.47 54.28C408.59 54.17 408.7 54.07 408.84 53.95C408.7 54.07 408.57 54.19 408.44 54.31Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>  <\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-we-learned\">What We Learned<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-there-s-support-for-experimentation-creative-things-happen\">When there\u2019s support for experimentation, creative things happen<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It was important to us to keep the program guidelines flexible, include different types of organizations, and provide financial support that could make impactful projects possible.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Each organization received a project grant to amplify stories of arts, culture, and creativity in the Midwest. Experimentation was encouraged\u2014and most of the organizations explored new-to-them coverage areas, themes, mediums, formats, and so on. They created all kinds of media, from multimedia series and print publications, to a writer&#8217;s residency program and social media videos. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are a few highlights:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Detroit Metro Times produced their first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/metrotimes\/reels\/?hl=en\">Reels series<\/a> to accompany their artist features.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Project Optimist launched a solutions-led arts and nature series, <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.projectoptimist.us\/tag\/biophilia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Biophilia<\/a><\/em>.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/thebuckeyeflame.com\/\">The Buckeye Flame<\/a> started a rural artist series and reported from Ohio counties they hadn\u2019t covered before. This has now led to them creating\u2014the first and only, that we know of\u2014Rural LGBTQ+ beat and staff writer role!&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Buffalo\u2019s Fire published a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.buffalosfire.com\/dentalium\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">six-part series on dentalium<\/a>, its history and trade routes, and current cultural and artistic practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wing-container wing-top-right relative z-50 block-quote mt-24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" >\n    \n        <div \n            aria-hidden=\"true\" \n            class=\"wing absolute w-24 md:w-34 lg:w-48 h-14 md:h-20 lg:h-28 transform right-0 top-px -translate-y-full [clip-path:polygon(100%0%,100%100%,0%100%)] bg-dark-sky\"\n        ><\/div>\n\n            <\/div>\n    \n<div  class=\"wp-block-block-quote\n  \n  collapse-m-after\n  \n  \n  bg-dark-sky pt-16 pb-12 px-6 md:pt-24 md:pb-20 md:px-12 relative overflow-x-clip\"\n  data-block-index=\"1\" style=\"z-index:4;\"\n>\n  <blockquote class=\"max-w-3xl xl:max-w-5xl mx-auto flex flex-col\">\n    <div class=\"text-white font-sans text-lg md:text-2xl text-center mb-7 relative z-10\"><p>\u201cI really enjoyed many of the side conversations and the chance to spend time hearing about the experiences, challenges and problem-solving work that the other folks are doing.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n    <cite class=\"text-white font-sans text-sm text-center relative z-10\">PARTICIPANT, CREATIVE MIDWEST MEDIA COHORT<\/cite>\n  <\/blockquote>\n\n  <div \n            aria-hidden=\"true\" \n            class=\"wing absolute w-24 md:w-34 lg:w-48 h-14 md:h-20 lg:h-28 transform left-0 hidden lg:block top-full -mt-px [clip-path:polygon(100%0%,0%100%,0%0%)] bg-dark-sky\"\n        ><\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n\n<div \n   \n  class=\"wp-block-image mt-14 col-start-1 col-span-full mb-14\"\n  data-block-index=\"2\" style=\"z-index:3;\"\n>\n  <figure class=\"\">\n          <div class=\"relative\">\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"w-full\" alt=\"People sitting at long tables listening to speakers.\" sizes=\"100vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" \/>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute left-3.75 lg:left-4 bottom-3 lg:bottom-4 z-10\">\n          <div class=\"px-2.5 lg:px-3 py-1.5 lg:py-2 rounded-md bg-dark-sky\/50 flex items-center text-white\">\n    <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"w-3 lg:w-3.75 h-3 lg:h-3.5 mr-2 text-current fill-current\" width=\"15\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 15 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_335_1811)\">\n<path d=\"M7.49831 2.97534C5.15467 2.97534 3.25024 4.9504 3.25024 7.37285C3.25024 9.79529 5.15819 11.7704 7.49831 11.7704C9.83844 11.7704 11.7464 9.79529 11.7464 7.37285C11.7464 4.9504 9.83844 2.97534 7.49831 2.97534ZM7.49831 10.5919C5.78362 10.5919 4.38868 9.14785 4.38868 7.37285C4.38868 5.59784 5.78362 4.15383 7.49831 4.15383C9.213 4.15383 10.6079 5.59784 10.6079 7.37285C10.6079 9.14785 9.213 10.5919 7.49831 10.5919Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M13.208 2.16784H12.5088C12.2277 2.16784 11.9852 1.96051 11.929 1.6768C11.7428 0.705638 10.9136 0 9.95784 0H5.04216C4.08644 0 3.25369 0.705638 3.07098 1.6768C3.01476 1.96051 2.77231 2.16784 2.49122 2.16784H1.79199C0.804638 2.16784 0 3.00078 0 4.02286V12.2723C0 13.2253 0.748419 14 1.66901 14H13.331C14.2516 14 15 13.2253 15 12.2723V4.02286C15 3.00078 14.1954 2.16784 13.208 2.16784ZM13.7843 12.2723C13.7843 12.5305 13.5805 12.7415 13.331 12.7415H1.66901C1.41954 12.7415 1.21574 12.5305 1.21574 12.2723V4.02286C1.21574 3.69187 1.47576 3.42634 1.79199 3.42634H2.49122C3.34856 3.42634 4.09346 2.79345 4.26212 1.9205C4.33591 1.53494 4.6662 1.25487 5.04216 1.25487H9.95784C10.3373 1.25487 10.6641 1.53494 10.7379 1.9205C10.903 2.79345 11.6479 3.42634 12.5088 3.42634H13.208C13.5278 3.42634 13.7843 3.69551 13.7843 4.02286V12.2723Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<defs>\n<clipPath id=\"clip0_335_1811\">\n<rect width=\"15\" height=\"14\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/clipPath>\n<\/defs>\n<\/svg>    <span\n      class=\"text-[8px] lg:text-[10px] leading-none uppercase pt-0.5\">Photo Credit: Mia McGill<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n              <figcaption class=\"text-xs leading-5 font-serif content-grid  \">\n          <span class=\"col-start-2 col-span-1 max-w-prose\">\n            The Creative Midwest Media Cohort during a two-day gathering in Minneapolis, Minnesota.\n          <\/span>\n        <\/figcaption>\n      \n    \n  <\/figure>\n\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-regional-connections-allow-for-deeper-peer-learning-nbsp-nbsp-nbsp\">Regional connections allow for deeper peer learning&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Local competition can sometimes stifle conversation, so our goal was to bring people from different markets and various media types together. We found that this was really successful on the organizational as well as individual level.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cohort participants shared openly about internal operations and connected in a personal way as they talked about reporting in their communities.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In their feedback, many shared that they would\u2019ve liked more unstructured connection moments and extended time for small group discussions as those felt most impactful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-virtual-settings-can-be-tricky-nbsp\">Virtual settings can be tricky&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Online apps like Zoom provided us an accessible way to connect folks from across the region over the course of the year, but it also limited the ways we could expand our conversations.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the next iteration of this program, we\u2019d likely facilitate the virtual sessions a little differently: inviting more exchanges, learning opportunities and cohort-led breakouts.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Luckily, we were able to <a href=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/creative-midwest-media-cohort-meets-in-minneapolis\/\">meet in person<\/a> to build on the connections made in virtual spaces.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-arts-coverage-is-a-boon-and-a-balm-nbsp-nbsp\">Arts coverage is a boon\u2014and a balm&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Over the past three years, we\u2019ve heard again and again: readers are hungry for arts coverage, even if it\u2019s not always a top priority for funders or editorial teams.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Stories about art, culture, and creativity consistently spark meaningful engagement. They add depth and nuance to news coverage. And they reflect local communities. In moments of overwhelming headlines, they offer a necessary balm.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re thrilled that many of the cohort organizations continue to intentionally incorporate arts and culture reporting into their work\u2014a significant win at a time when local cultural coverage is shrinking.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div \n   \n  class=\"wp-block-image mt-14 col-start-2 col-span-1 xl:col-end-4\"\n  data-block-index=\"3\" style=\"z-index:2;\"\n>\n  <figure class=\"lg:w-1\/2 lg:float-left lg:mr-16 mb-12\">\n          <div class=\"relative\">\n        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2546\" height=\"1698\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-4.jpg\" class=\"w-full\" alt=\"A person of dark skin tone and dark, long dreadlocks wearing a green jacket gestures and talks to people. They are in an area with red walls, a red couch, and a red table.\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1472px) 640px,\n                        (min-width: 1280px) calc(50vw - 16rem),\n                        (min-width: 1024px) calc(50vw - 12rem),\n                        (min-width: 640px) calc(100vw - 4rem),\n                        calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-4.jpg 2546w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-4-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-4-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-4-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-4-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-Social-4-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" \/>\n\n        <div class=\"absolute left-3.75 lg:left-4 bottom-3 lg:bottom-4 z-10\">\n          <div class=\"px-2.5 lg:px-3 py-1.5 lg:py-2 rounded-md bg-dark-sky\/50 flex items-center text-white\">\n    <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"w-3 lg:w-3.75 h-3 lg:h-3.5 mr-2 text-current fill-current\" width=\"15\" height=\"14\" viewBox=\"0 0 15 14\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_335_1811)\">\n<path d=\"M7.49831 2.97534C5.15467 2.97534 3.25024 4.9504 3.25024 7.37285C3.25024 9.79529 5.15819 11.7704 7.49831 11.7704C9.83844 11.7704 11.7464 9.79529 11.7464 7.37285C11.7464 4.9504 9.83844 2.97534 7.49831 2.97534ZM7.49831 10.5919C5.78362 10.5919 4.38868 9.14785 4.38868 7.37285C4.38868 5.59784 5.78362 4.15383 7.49831 4.15383C9.213 4.15383 10.6079 5.59784 10.6079 7.37285C10.6079 9.14785 9.213 10.5919 7.49831 10.5919Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<path d=\"M13.208 2.16784H12.5088C12.2277 2.16784 11.9852 1.96051 11.929 1.6768C11.7428 0.705638 10.9136 0 9.95784 0H5.04216C4.08644 0 3.25369 0.705638 3.07098 1.6768C3.01476 1.96051 2.77231 2.16784 2.49122 2.16784H1.79199C0.804638 2.16784 0 3.00078 0 4.02286V12.2723C0 13.2253 0.748419 14 1.66901 14H13.331C14.2516 14 15 13.2253 15 12.2723V4.02286C15 3.00078 14.1954 2.16784 13.208 2.16784ZM13.7843 12.2723C13.7843 12.5305 13.5805 12.7415 13.331 12.7415H1.66901C1.41954 12.7415 1.21574 12.5305 1.21574 12.2723V4.02286C1.21574 3.69187 1.47576 3.42634 1.79199 3.42634H2.49122C3.34856 3.42634 4.09346 2.79345 4.26212 1.9205C4.33591 1.53494 4.6662 1.25487 5.04216 1.25487H9.95784C10.3373 1.25487 10.6641 1.53494 10.7379 1.9205C10.903 2.79345 11.6479 3.42634 12.5088 3.42634H13.208C13.5278 3.42634 13.7843 3.69551 13.7843 4.02286V12.2723Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/g>\n<defs>\n<clipPath id=\"clip0_335_1811\">\n<rect width=\"15\" height=\"14\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/clipPath>\n<\/defs>\n<\/svg>    <span\n      class=\"text-[8px] lg:text-[10px] leading-none uppercase pt-0.5\">Photo Credit: Mia McGill<\/span>\n  <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n      <\/div>\n\n              <figcaption class=\"text-xs leading-5 font-serif mt-5  \">\n          <span class=\"\">\n            Randiah Camille Green, a freelance writer based in Detroit, at the Creative Midwest Media Cohort gathering in Minneapolis.\n          <\/span>\n        <\/figcaption>\n      \n    \n  <\/figure>\n\n      <div class=\"prose flow-root-children\">\n      <h3 aria-level=\"3\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">We need more of this<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559738&quot;:400,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:312}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Many cohort organizations were able to engage their community in new ways through the program\u2019s support, creating flexibility in their newsrooms and dimensionality to their coverage. And outcomes weren\u2019t just editorial\u2014they were relational. People left the cohort with new collaborators, sounding boards, and allies across the region.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:312}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">And as one of them simply put it: \u201cWe need more projects like this.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:312}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Professional development of this kind across a wide region is hard to sustain without staffing support and consistent funding.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:312}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">This remains one of the only programs we\u2019ve seen that brings together media professionals focused on arts, culture, and creativity while also offering space and funding to experiment and grow. We were grateful to receive startup funding from Good Chaos to pilot the program, but the future of funding it is uncertain.<\/span><\/p>\n\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>That uncertainty isn\u2019t unique to Arts Midwest. Every organization in the program faces the same pressures, including funding gaps to understaffing and burnout.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s clear: If we want to see more of this kind of reporting, it needs dedicated support.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<section  class=\"wp-block-cards    site-padding py-10 sm:py-22.5 relative\" data-block-index=\"4\" style=\"z-index:1;\">\n  <div class=\"main-col z-10 relative \">\n    <div class=\"mb-5 sm:pl-5\">\n              <h2 class=\"  text-7.5xl leading-1.3 sm:font-light sm:text-4xl sm:leading-4\/3 mb-5\">\n          More from the Creative Midwest Media Cohort\n        <\/h2>\n      \n          <\/div>\n\n          <ul class=\"list-none p-0 -mx-2.5 sm:mx-auto sm:grid sm:grid-cols-2 lg:grid-cols-3 gap-5 sm:gap-y-[3.75rem] \">\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"group cursor-pointer relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-full grid lg:grid-cols-3 gap-x-[3.75rem]  bg-light-green hover:border-light-green focus-within:border-light-green hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"relative z-10 self-center lg:col-start-3\">\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3 class=\"text-2xl lg:text-4xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\">\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/creative-midwest-media-cohort-meets-in-minneapolis\/\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                Creative Midwest Media Cohort Meets in Minneapolis\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p class=\"hidden lg:block mt-8 mb-8 font-serif text-base xl:mb-20\">\n            These media professionals spent time getting to know each other, learning from their peers in the Twin Cities area, and reflecting on different models of working.\n          <\/p>\n              <\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n      <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"relative z-0 row-start-2 lg:row-start-1 col-start-1 mb-6 lg:col-span-2 lg:mb-0\">\n\n          <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/I6A6976-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"aspect-[3\/2] object-cover w-full\" alt=\"Two people sitting at a table, facing forward. One of them is smiling as they other gestures with their hands close to their head.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 806px,\n                      (min-width: 1280px) calc((100vw - 15.75rem) * 2\/3),\n                      (min-width: 1024px) calc((100vw - 11.75rem) * 2\/3),\n                      (min-width: 640px) calc(100vw - 3.25rem),\n                      calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/I6A6976-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/I6A6976-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/I6A6976-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/I6A6976-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/I6A6976-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" \/>\n    \n  <\/div>\n\n  \n<\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-purple hover:border-light-purple focus-within:border-light-purple hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DSC07144-1024x667.jpg\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"A person with long black hair pulled up wearing thick black glasses and a black turtle neck sits with their knees pulled to their chest in between two white sculptures.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 27%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DSC07144-1024x667.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DSC07144-300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DSC07144-768x500.jpg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DSC07144-1536x1001.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/DSC07144.jpg 2000w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.projectoptimist.us\/biophilia-mother-earth-sculpture-suree-sompamitwong\/\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                Worthington artist and mental health advocate channels Mother Nature for latest sculptures\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            Project Optimist\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              The founder of southwestern Minnesota nonprofit Creative Healing Space always hated to see litter on the ground. Now she has two pieces that embody the pain and resilience of the earth.\n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-coral hover:border-light-coral focus-within:border-light-coral hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/group1-web-1024x683.jpeg\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"Four people holding hands and dancing while another person kneels and bangs a drum.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/group1-web-1024x683.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/group1-web-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/group1-web-768x512.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/group1-web.jpeg 1200w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/www.metrotimes.com\/arts\/art-is-resistance-for-these-arab-artists-in-metro-detroit-36087220\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                Art is resistance for these Arab artists in metro Detroit\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            Detroit Metro Times\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              Dance, music, and painting become ways to fight for an end to occupation in Palestine despite censorship and backlash.\n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n                  <li\n  x-data=\"cards\"\n  class=\"cursor-pointer group relative border border-transparent p-2.5 sm:p-5 rounded-[0.625rem] transition-all duration-300 mb-8 sm:mb-0 col-span-1 grid grid-cols-1 grid-rows-1   bg-light-green hover:border-light-green focus-within:border-light-green hover:bg-white\/90 focus-within:bg-white\/90\"\n>\n\n  <div\n    x-on:mouseover=\"mouseover\"\n    x-on:mouseleave=\"mouseleave\"\n    x-on:mouseleave.away=\"mouseleave\"\n    class=\"relative z-10 col-start-1 row-start-1 group\"\n  >\n    <div class=\"h-full overflow-hidden\">\n      \n      \n      \n      <div\n        x-ref=\"image\"\n        class=\"pb-5 transition-all duration-300\"\n        :class=\"hover &#038;&#038; 'opacity-5'\"\n      >\n                  <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"788\" src=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-18.png\" class=\"aspect-[4\/3] object-cover\" alt=\"A black and white photo of a person wearing thick glasses staring into the distance with their hand resting on their temple. The photo is overlaid on two book covers. One reads &quot;Goodbye My Lover,&quot; and the other &quot;Longhorns,&quot; both are by Victor J. Banis.\" style=\"object-position: 50% 50%;\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1480px) 372px,\n                                                                  (min-width: 1280px) calc(33.33vw - 7.33rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 1024px) calc(33.33vw - 6rem),\n                                                                  (min-width: 640px) calc(50vw - 5rem),\n                                                                  calc(100vw - 2rem)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-18.png 940w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-18-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/Untitled-design-18-768x644.png 768w\" \/>\n              <\/div>\n\n      <div\n        x-ref=\"textArea\"\n        class=\"transition-all duration-300\"\n      >\n\n        \n        \n                  <h3\n            class=\"text-lg sm:text-2xl leading-7.5 font-semibold mb-8\"\n                      >\n                          <a\n                x-ref=\"mainLink\"\n                x-on:focusin=\"mouseover\"\n                x-on:focusout=\"mouseleave\"\n                class=\"focus:outline-none\"\n                href=\"https:\/\/thebuckeyeflame.com\/2024\/07\/08\/small-town-ohioan-finally-getting-his-due-as-godfather-of-gay-pulp-fiction\/\"\n                target=\"_blank\"\n              >\n                Small-town Ohioan finally getting his due as the \u2018Godfather of Gay Pulp Fiction\u2019\n              <\/a>\n                      <\/h3>\n        \n        \n                  <p\n            \n            class=\"text-sm leading-6 \"\n          >\n            The Buckeye Flame\n          <\/p>\n        \n        \n                  <div x-show=\"hover\" class=\"hidden sm:block\">\n            <p\n              class=\"block mt-6 mb-8 font-serif text-base line-clamp-3\"\n              x-ref=\"excerpt\"\n            >\n              Kade Hirth\u2019s therapy practice ditches the couch and instead helps clients deal with trauma through nature and creating.\n            <\/p>\n          <\/div>\n        \n        \n              <\/div>\n\n      \n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  <\/li>\n              <\/ul>\n    \n    \n  <\/div>\n\n  \n  \n  <div class=\"z-0 absolute inset-0 -bottom-[18vw] overflow-hidden pointer-events-none\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n      <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"hidden\" width=\"449\" height=\"228\" viewBox=\"0 0 449 228\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M447.99 0.519983C444.72 -3.33002 428.33 15.37 427.13 16.64C418.54 25.71 410.44 35.28 403.14 45.41C401.18 48.12 399.28 50.87 397.39 53.62C397.1 53.88 396.82 54.13 396.53 54.39C393.67 56.93 390.78 59.43 387.96 62.01C379.47 69.78 371.63 78.16 364.27 87.01C360.67 91.34 357.19 95.75 353.76 100.21C353.13 101.03 352.5 101.85 351.87 102.66C351.34 103.18 350.85 103.9 350.38 104.54C350.31 104.63 350.24 104.73 350.17 104.82C350.12 104.87 350.08 104.93 350.03 104.98C349.72 105.33 349.4 105.69 349.08 106.04C348.89 106.23 348.7 106.42 348.51 106.61C348.32 106.8 348.17 106.94 348.05 107.07C348.03 107.09 348.02 107.09 348 107.11C347.39 107.59 345.41 108.99 347.05 107.95C346.11 108.54 345.09 109.29 344.51 109.22C342.48 108.97 341.1 106.2 340.37 104.59C339.36 102.37 338.84 99.96 337.82 97.74C336.44 94.73 334.25 92.03 331.92 89.71C327 84.81 320.84 81.23 313.8 80.9C301.6 80.34 289.96 87.19 280.86 94.62C274.1 100.14 267.34 105.64 260.56 111.13C257.11 113.92 253.66 116.71 250.18 119.46C249.29 120.16 245.91 122.44 248.87 120.51C245.4 122.75 242.11 125.3 238.67 127.6C231.28 132.54 223.88 137.46 216.55 142.48C213.02 144.9 209.47 147.3 205.85 149.58C204.08 150.7 202.4 151.95 200.79 153.29L201.49 152.53C201.97 152.13 202.43 151.83 202.63 151.71C202.5 151.78 202.24 151.92 201.82 152.14C200.83 152.65 199.87 153.18 198.84 153.61C196.43 154.61 193.84 155.23 191.23 154.8C181.88 153.27 182.18 141.35 182.86 134.27C183.3 129.76 184.49 122.93 181.26 119.12C178.8 116.22 176.2 114.11 172.19 114.49C167.62 114.93 163.57 117.06 159.64 119.24C147.87 125.78 136.12 132.32 124.35 138.86C114.7 144.22 105.09 149.65 95.4002 154.95C72.2802 167.6 50.6202 182.77 26.9802 194.49C24.3502 195.79 21.4702 199.31 19.5902 201.29C15.7702 205.31 12.1102 209.58 8.69021 213.94C6.04021 217.32 3.22021 220.74 1.13021 224.5C0.810212 225.08 -1.13979 228.31 1.01021 227.25C24.0802 215.81 45.0202 200.76 67.6902 188.65C77.5502 183.38 87.2502 177.81 97.0202 172.37C108.88 165.78 120.72 159.2 132.58 152.6C136.35 150.5 140.32 147.96 144.73 147.66C146.34 147.55 148.05 147.69 149.46 148.56C150.3 149.07 150.67 149.82 151.34 150.47C152.24 151.36 153.33 152.04 154 153.18C156.83 157.98 155.09 164.74 154.72 169.91C154.14 178.06 156.3 189.26 166.77 188.02C171 187.52 174.77 185.79 178.19 183.39C190.8 175.61 202.99 166.98 215.24 158.66C222.22 153.92 228.82 148.77 235.39 143.48C242.2 137.99 248.99 132.46 255.77 126.94C263.51 120.62 272.67 114.69 283.34 114.14C295.97 113.49 307.26 122.98 311.28 134.51C312.36 137.61 314.13 143.51 318.43 142.15C322.56 140.84 326.27 136.69 329.34 133.84C338.18 125.62 346.2 116.38 353.94 107.14C356.55 104.03 359.11 100.88 361.62 97.69C363.28 95.58 364.9 93.44 366.54 91.31C367.96 90 369.39 88.71 371.48 86.87C389.28 71.19 404.7 53.6 418.13 34.06C418.16 34.03 418.17 34.02 418.16 34.02C418.19 33.98 418.21 33.95 418.24 33.91C418.49 33.75 418.74 33.6 419.02 33.49C419.45 33.31 419.52 33 420.17 33.76C421.46 35.28 434.67 19.87 435.76 18.55C439.02 14.63 442.31 10.66 445.12 6.40998C445.71 5.51998 448.89 1.57998 448.03 0.559983L447.99 0.519983ZM349.57 105.7C349.66 105.59 349.76 105.47 349.86 105.34C350.05 105.11 350.22 104.91 350.31 104.78C350.31 104.77 350.33 104.76 350.34 104.74C350.18 105.07 349.9 105.39 349.57 105.7ZM350.88 103.96C350.88 103.96 350.84 104.01 350.82 104.04C351.22 103.51 351.82 102.73 351.87 102.67C351.54 103.1 351.21 103.52 350.89 103.95L350.88 103.96ZM364.7 92.99C363.19 94.62 364.1 93.6 364.7 92.99V92.99ZM414.98 36.82C414.98 36.82 415.53 36.24 416.03 35.72C416.21 35.54 416.39 35.35 416.53 35.21C415.95 35.95 415.26 36.79 414.98 36.82ZM420.73 30.03C420.89 29.79 421.07 29.57 421.24 29.34C421.41 29.15 421.58 28.95 421.7 28.81C421.38 29.22 421.05 29.62 420.73 30.03Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>      <svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"hidden\" width=\"462\" height=\"233\" viewBox=\"0 0 462 233\" fill=\"none\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<path d=\"M461.82 0.429978C460.76 -0.910022 457.68 1.26998 456.92 1.73998C449.19 6.49998 442.39 13.27 436 19.64C431.03 24.6 426.19 29.78 422.01 35.43C418.3 40.45 415.01 45.77 411.24 50.74C410.77 51.36 410.29 51.98 409.79 52.6C409.7 52.71 408.95 53.6 408.81 53.78C408.58 54.03 408.35 54.29 408.12 54.55C408.15 54.53 408.17 54.51 408.2 54.49C408.2 54.49 408.2 54.49 408.19 54.5C408.16 54.52 408.14 54.54 408.11 54.57C408.08 54.61 408.04 54.64 408.01 54.68C407.99 54.7 407.97 54.72 407.95 54.74C407.97 54.73 407.98 54.71 408 54.7C407.98 54.72 407.97 54.74 407.95 54.75C407.95 54.75 407.95 54.75 407.94 54.76C406.88 55.71 405.83 56.67 404.77 57.61C398.82 62.87 392.88 68.14 387.32 73.82C379.34 81.96 372.76 91.22 365.54 99.99C364.39 99.22 363.52 97.62 363.02 96.58C361.98 94.39 361.47 91.98 360.45 89.79C357.76 84.01 352.1 78.83 346.32 76.23C332.09 69.82 315.56 80.21 304.95 88.98C304.79 89.11 304.66 89.22 304.54 89.32C303.89 89.85 303.24 90.38 302.59 90.91C301.1 92.13 299.61 93.34 298.12 94.55C294.48 97.51 290.84 100.47 287.19 103.43C283.92 106.08 280.65 108.72 277.36 111.33C276.84 111.74 276.33 112.15 275.81 112.55C275.73 112.61 275.65 112.67 275.57 112.73C274.77 113.32 273.96 113.9 273.15 114.48C272.89 114.66 271.71 115.49 271.56 115.59C264.5 120.44 257.29 125.06 250.24 129.91C246.79 132.29 243.34 134.66 239.82 136.93C238.16 138.01 236.49 139.05 234.86 140.15C234.82 140.17 234.77 140.19 234.69 140.22C234.88 140.09 235.07 139.96 235.26 139.83C235.21 139.83 235.03 139.99 234.97 140.02C234.79 140.12 234.61 140.23 234.43 140.34C234.06 140.52 233.69 140.7 233.32 140.87C231.64 141.62 229.87 142.15 228.04 142.39C223.96 142.62 220.7 140.66 218.99 136.87C216.17 130.6 218.24 123.86 218.3 117.31C218.33 113.95 217.85 110.81 215.3 108.48C213.45 106.8 212.42 105.28 209.64 105.17C205.44 104.99 201.46 106.84 197.88 108.82C195.63 110.06 193.38 111.32 191.13 112.57C188.08 114.26 185.05 116.29 181.87 117.72C181.55 117.83 180.71 118.17 180.49 118.27C178.31 119.33 176.18 120.49 174.06 121.67C170.82 123.47 167.71 125.49 164.51 127.35C162.6 128.46 160.64 129.5 158.7 130.58C151.78 134.43 144.85 138.28 137.93 142.13C137.43 142.41 136.93 142.69 136.43 142.96C136.31 143.02 136.03 143.16 135.8 143.29C134.63 143.9 133.47 144.55 132.3 145.19C130.42 146.22 128.56 147.26 126.72 148.35C119.62 152.56 112.61 156.93 105.55 161.21C91.5699 169.7 77.6498 178.29 63.7098 186.85C49.7098 195.45 35.8098 204.31 21.4998 212.39C21.4998 212.39 21.4898 212.39 21.4798 212.4C21.2798 212.5 21.0898 212.61 20.8998 212.71C15.6898 215.31 11.1198 219.9 6.95984 223.9C4.88984 225.9 2.69984 227.9 0.959844 230.2C0.789844 230.43 -0.880156 232.76 0.619844 232.01C4.53984 230.05 8.27984 227.69 12.0398 225.44C18.3498 221.66 24.6298 217.83 30.9098 214C44.1098 205.93 57.2898 197.81 70.4698 189.71C86.3598 179.94 102.19 170.01 118.51 160.99C127.96 155.76 137.52 150.67 146.85 145.23C149.35 143.77 151.79 142.19 154.3 140.74C157.41 138.95 160.7 137.52 163.83 135.79C165.79 134.71 167.74 133.62 169.7 132.53C172.66 130.88 175.62 129.24 178.58 127.59C178.89 127.42 179.2 127.24 179.51 127.07C179.57 127.04 179.62 127.02 179.7 126.98C180.38 126.66 181.06 126.33 181.76 126.05C183.43 125.37 185.16 124.86 186.95 124.62C188.85 124.51 190.82 124.81 192.21 126.25C192.59 126.64 192.79 127.16 193.14 127.54C193.64 128.08 194.41 128.38 194.9 128.99C195.84 130.15 196.25 131.75 196.49 133.2C197.56 139.61 194.98 146.09 196.23 152.49C197.03 156.6 199.25 160.81 203.68 161.69C206.89 162.33 210.38 161.39 213.3 160.05C214.75 159.39 216.17 158.62 217.5 157.76C217.82 157.55 218.13 157.33 218.45 157.11C227.44 151.58 235.97 145.34 244.78 139.53C252.19 134.64 259.57 129.73 266.55 124.24C275.78 116.99 284.84 109.52 293.93 102.11C294.73 101.45 295.54 100.8 296.34 100.14C297.18 99.68 297.97 99.19 298.77 98.77C303.45 96.32 308.45 94.44 313.71 93.84C321.27 93.36 327.81 96.38 333.2 101.62C335.55 103.9 337.76 106.6 339.05 109.64C340.1 112.12 340.63 114.85 342.05 117.17C343.01 118.74 344.35 120.19 346.31 119.73C348.63 119.19 350.89 117.27 352.74 115.91C361.11 109.78 368.64 102.43 375.75 94.91C383.65 86.56 390.38 77.36 397.64 68.47C397.89 68.17 398.14 67.86 398.39 67.56C398.47 67.46 398.82 67.06 399.01 66.83C399.1 66.73 399.18 66.64 399.2 66.62C399.44 66.35 399.68 66.08 399.93 65.82C399.9 65.84 399.88 65.85 399.85 65.88C399.89 65.86 399.92 65.82 399.96 65.79C400.04 65.7 400.12 65.61 400.2 65.52C400.28 65.44 400.36 65.37 400.44 65.29C400.45 65.28 400.47 65.26 400.48 65.25C400.48 65.25 400.48 65.25 400.49 65.24C400.53 65.21 400.56 65.17 400.6 65.14C400.62 65.13 400.63 65.11 400.65 65.1C400.7 65.05 400.75 65.01 400.8 64.96C401.58 64.26 402.36 63.56 403.14 62.87C404.61 61.57 406.09 60.28 407.56 58.98C415.66 51.79 423.71 44.27 430.35 35.68C433.2 31.99 435.78 28.09 438.41 24.24C439.45 22.72 440.5 21.22 441.6 19.74C441.68 19.63 441.76 19.53 441.84 19.43C444.92 17.66 451.28 11.86 452.01 11.2C454.54 8.90998 457.09 6.57998 459.35 4.01998C459.78 3.53998 462.34 1.06998 461.82 0.409978V0.429978ZM20.9698 212.73C20.2998 213.11 21.0398 212.68 21.4598 212.45C21.2998 212.54 21.1298 212.63 20.9698 212.73ZM21.4898 212.44C21.5798 212.39 21.6498 212.35 21.6898 212.34C21.6198 212.37 21.5598 212.41 21.4898 212.44ZM233.27 141.27C233.36 141.19 233.45 141.12 233.54 141.04C233.84 140.83 234.14 140.62 234.44 140.42C234.52 140.38 234.6 140.34 234.67 140.3C234.2 140.62 233.73 140.94 233.26 141.27H233.27ZM304.38 89.46C302.96 90.63 303.58 90.12 304.38 89.46V89.46ZM305.21 88.78C305.01 88.95 304.8 89.11 304.6 89.28C305.02 88.93 305.44 88.59 305.61 88.46C305.48 88.57 305.35 88.67 305.21 88.78ZM408.44 54.31C408.44 54.31 408.46 54.29 408.47 54.28C408.59 54.17 408.7 54.07 408.84 53.95C408.7 54.07 408.57 54.19 408.44 54.31Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/>\n<\/svg>  <\/div>\n\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-so-what-s-next-nbsp\">So, what\u2019s next?&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Our team continues to explore ways to build on this pilot program.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We believe that stories about arts, culture, and creativity aren\u2019t just nice to have\u2014they\u2019re essential. They help people make sense of the places they live in, feel pride in their communities, and see each other in a fuller light. We\u2019re eager to keep going.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A lot can happen when you give local media the funding, flexibility, and community to cover arts and culture in the Midwest.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":7102,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":""},"aw-author":[92],"location":[],"program-grant":[135],"update-category":[600],"class_list":["post-11610","update","type-update","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","aw-author-angela-zonunpari","program-grant-creative-midwest-media-cohort-2025","update-category-what-we-learned"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.8 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort - Arts Midwest<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A lot can happen when you give local media the funding, flexibility, and community to cover arts and culture in the Midwest.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A lot can happen when you give local media the funding, flexibility, and community to cover arts and culture in the Midwest.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Arts Midwest\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/artsmidwest\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"Angela Zonunpari\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-26T01:57:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1707\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ArtsMidwest\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/\",\"name\":\"What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort - Arts Midwest\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-scaled.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-07-16T18:12:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-26T01:57:27+00:00\",\"description\":\"A lot can happen when you give local media the funding, flexibility, and community to cover arts and culture in the Midwest.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1707,\"caption\":\"The Creative Midwest Media Cohort including staff from Barn Raiser, The Buckeye Flame, Buffalo\u2019s Fire, Detroit Metro Times, Dovetail, Hola Iowa, Input Fort Wayne, Project Optimist, Sixty Inches From Center, and SDPB.\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"About Arts Midwest\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"News + Updates\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/\",\"name\":\"Arts Midwest\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Arts Midwest\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Arts-Midwest-Logo-scaled.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Arts-Midwest-Logo-scaled.jpg\",\"width\":2560,\"height\":1428,\"caption\":\"Arts Midwest\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/artsmidwest\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/ArtsMidwest\",\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/arts_midwest\/\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/artsmidwest\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort - Arts Midwest","description":"A lot can happen when you give local media the funding, flexibility, and community to cover arts and culture in the Midwest.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort","og_description":"A lot can happen when you give local media the funding, flexibility, and community to cover arts and culture in the Midwest.","og_url":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/","og_site_name":"Arts Midwest","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/artsmidwest\/","article_author":"Angela Zonunpari","article_modified_time":"2026-03-26T01:57:27+00:00","og_image":[{"width":2560,"height":1707,"url":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-scaled.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@ArtsMidwest","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/","url":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/","name":"What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort - Arts Midwest","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-scaled.jpg","datePublished":"2025-07-16T18:12:37+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-26T01:57:27+00:00","description":"A lot can happen when you give local media the funding, flexibility, and community to cover arts and culture in the Midwest.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/Cohort-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1707,"caption":"The Creative Midwest Media Cohort including staff from Barn Raiser, The Buckeye Flame, Buffalo\u2019s Fire, Detroit Metro Times, Dovetail, Hola Iowa, Input Fort Wayne, Project Optimist, Sixty Inches From Center, and SDPB."},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/what-we-learned-creative-midwest-media-cohort\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"About Arts Midwest","item":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"News + Updates","item":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/about\/updates\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":4,"name":"What We Learned: Creative Midwest Media Cohort"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/","name":"Arts Midwest","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#organization","name":"Arts Midwest","url":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Arts-Midwest-Logo-scaled.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/Arts-Midwest-Logo-scaled.jpg","width":2560,"height":1428,"caption":"Arts Midwest"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/artsmidwest\/","https:\/\/x.com\/ArtsMidwest","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/arts_midwest\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/artsmidwest"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update\/11610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/update"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7102"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"aw-author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/aw-author?post=11610"},{"taxonomy":"location","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/location?post=11610"},{"taxonomy":"program-grant","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/program-grant?post=11610"},{"taxonomy":"update-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/artsmidwest.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/update-category?post=11610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}