The

Collective of

Grand Rapids

is a

initiative

dedicated to

enhancing,

promoting, and

for the art

and culture

sector in our city.

Comp 2

Why ACCGR?

Art and cultural investment creates social capital and enriches every facet of the community. Art unites individuals not only in physical spaces like galleries and museums, but also culturally, by narrating a community’s collective journey and creating a connection between individuals in all walks of life.

Who:

Arts and Culture Collective Grand Rapids (ACCGR) is an arts + cultural collective leveraging the power of creativity for equitable social transformation. By leading initiatives such as a countywide economic impact study and the development of a comprehensive Arts and Culture Plan, ACCGR is building the infrastructure necessary for a thriving, equitable arts ecosystem.

Our Why:

An initiative dedicated to enhancing, promoting, and advocating for our community’s art and culture sector.

Current Work

Our work is focused on strengthening and advancing the art sector in Grand Rapids. As we continue to solidify our goals, we’re looking at a few big ideas that help us address current challenges and build a resilient and vibrant cultural landscape.

Collecting Data and Insights

ACCGR is actively gathering both quantitative and qualitative data to understand and measure the profound impact of arts and culture in the greater Grand Rapids region. This includes an economic study led by ACCGR and conducted by Grand Valley State University, supported in 2024 by the City of Grand Rapids Commissioners, that highlights the economic impact of the arts and culture sector in our community. Through this work, ACCGR aims to highlight the essential role that arts and culture play in fostering a thriving, inclusive community.

Developing an Arts and Culture Plan

To ensure a cohesive and strategic approach, ACCGR is leading the creation of an Arts and Culture Plan for the Grand Rapids and Kent County region. This plan will serve as a roadmap for sustaining and growing the sector, integrating community voice, fostering cross-sector partnerships, and prioritizing equity and inclusion. The goal is to create a framework that empowers artists, organizations, and the community to collectively build a future where arts and culture are accessible for all. The community planning process is tentatively expected to begin in 2025.*

To receive updates on the planning process, sign up for the mailing list.

MuralPainter

What's Next — A stronger vision for the future

Currently, we’re working alongside our partners to solidify our next steps. Here’s what’s in store:

  • High-Leverage Activities: We aim to identify and support initiatives that will have a substantial impact on the local arts and culture scene.
  • Decision-Making Protocol: We’re working on a unified decision-making protocol to ensure that we move forward as a united front.
  • Cultural Plan: Our goal is to pinpoint the next crucial steps in the development of a comprehensive Cultural Plan for Grand Rapids.

Join Us — and help grow our collective action

Whether you’re an artist, an arts organization, a supporter of the arts, or simply someone who values culture in our community, we invite you to join us on this journey. Together, we can amplify the influence of arts and culture in Grand Rapids, creating a more inclusive, vibrant, and enriched city for all.
Orchestra

Who Has Participated So Far?

West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology (WMCAT)

The Right Place

The Diatribe

Steelcase

St. Cecilia Music Center

Reyna’s Gallery

RDV

Poplar Media

Opera Grand Rapids

Muse GR

Mosaic Film Experience

Lions and Rabbits Center for the Arts

Kendall College of Art and Design

KConnect

Hip Hop Association of Advancement and Education

GVSU Art Department and Collections

Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities

Grand Rapids Women’s Chorus

Grand Rapids Symphony

Grand Rapids Public Museum

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre

Grand Rapids Children’s Museum

Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation

Grand Rapids Ballet

Grand Rapids Artists Bureau (GRAB)

Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM)

Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives (GRAAMA)

Girls Choral Academy

Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Festival of the Arts

Ebony Road Players

Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.

DisArt

Dinderbeck

DAAC

Cultivate GR

Community Circle Theatre

City of Grand Rapids

CarpenBarry Theater

Broadway Grand Rapids

Avenue for the Arts

Artprize

Artists Creating Together

AllArtWorks

Actor’s Theatre Grand Rapids​

Our Steering Committee

Kim Van Driel

Downtown Grand Rapids, Inc.

Lisa Knight

Girls Choral Academy

Cindy Foley

Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM)

Maggie Lancaster

Grand Rapids Children's Museum

Steff Rosalez

Grandville Avenue Arts and Humanities (GAAH)

Tim Mroz

The Right Place

Get Involved

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