Background
Founded in 1963, the Arts & Industry Council (AIC) is Michigan’s oldest incorporated non-profit arts council. The AIC provides marketing and technical services, professional development programs, and grants to more than 60 arts and cultural organizations and hundreds of artists across the county. The 2005 – 2006 fiscal year was one of tremendous growth for the AIC. Perhaps one of the most visible changes is the organization’s new name. Formerly the United Arts Council of Calhoun County, the name was changed to more accurately reflect the organization’s new strategic direction.

As Calhoun County’s arts advocate, the AIC’s mission is to improve quality of life through the arts by focusing on four strategic areas of action: 1) growing the arts and creative industries, 2) marketing the arts, 3) advocating for the arts, and 4) facilitating a regional arts network. 

Art & Economic Development
Of significant importance is the fact that the AIC’s new strategic plan places discernable emphasis on creative industries and cultural economic development; so much so, that the AIC contracted with Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), one of Michigan’s premier economic development agencies, for staffing and management services in September 2005. This formal partnership affords the AIC and Calhoun County a valuable advantage. The arts and culture community now has access to the same economic development tools and services that were once only available to manufacturers; and by partnering with artists, manufacturers have the ability to strengthen product design capabilities. Both the AIC and BCU anticipate that this partnership will create jobs, grow the arts, enhance quality-of-life, and generate community wealth.

Programs & Services
The AIC offers a number of traditional arts support programs and services, as well. The AIC continues to be the regranting agency for an Artist in Residence Program, which is sponsored by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The AIC is also the re-granting agency for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA) Region 16 Minigrant Program. In 2006, a new Calhoun County Public Art program was launched, and in the fall of 2006 the AIC launched an unprecedented regional arts marketing campaign to boost awareness of the impact of the arts on quality of life and economic development. The AIC also contracts for regional arts research and planning needs. A county arts and culture plan was completed in September 2005 and a resident arts awareness and perception survey was completed in January 2006.

Funding for the AIC comes from membership fees, grants, sponsorships, and an annual campaign.  The AIC is also supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the National Endowment for the Arts.