In the 10 years between the release of The Little Mermaid (1989) and Tarzan (1999), Disney experienced what’s now considered a renaissance: a run of funny, exciting films brimming with fine animation and gorgeous music.

Play is more than just fun—it’s a necessity to thrive. This is an idea Saugatuck Center for the Arts strongly believes in and has put at the forefront of their 2024 season.

It’s 2024 and arts organizations in West Michigan are thriving, with incredible, jam-packed seasons of art, conversations, fun and community involvement.

A brand-new comic book series has hit shelves recently called Kill Your Darlings, and one half of its writing team calls Michigan his home—Griffin Sheridan.

While The Nutcracker is a winter tradition for most, Grand Rapids Ballet’s creative director James Sofranko starts thinking about the shows as early as August. 

In 2023, arts organizations are back on their feet and offering incredible seasons of art, conversations, fun and community involvement. This month, you can visit the theaters for big Broadway shows and intimate plays, listen to symphonies play the classics and modern pieces, and head to local museums for a variety of stunning art. Check it out.

On May 10 of this year, a beloved theatre arts practitioner, professor and director passed away. His name was Randy Wyatt, and besides acting as an indescribable force for positive good in his local community, he had also received renown as a regional playwright.

In 2023, arts organizations are largely back on their feet and offering incredible seasons of art, conversations, fun and community involvement. 

On June 27th, 2020, Dog Story Theater closed its doors. COVID-19 had pushed the organization, which operated with thin margins at the best of times, past its breaking point. At the time, there was no clarity as to when live theater might resume or when audiences would feel safe returning. “We will feel its loss keenly,” the group announced.

The first thing you may notice when visiting Abdoulaye Conde’s “Raining Wisdom” mural at 45 Ottawa NW, besides its impressive size, is its intriguing use of bold, black lines to separate colors and create an unfolding mosaic pattern.