Art Walk Central Immerses the Community in Art

Two girls coloring and taking part in Art Walk Central

Art Walk Central is an annual juried art competition and exhibit hosted by Art Reach of Mid Michigan. Art submitted for the event is displayed downtown and in the surrounding areas throughout the month of August.

Art Reach was awarded a grant in both 2018 and 2019 from the W. Sidney and Judith French Smith Community Fund to support Art Walk Central.

During the event, an abundance of free programs are offered for both youth and adults, to provide opportunities to create art and experience other art mediums. The grant helps to supplement the expenses associated with programming, such as staff or supply expenses.

“Free programming is great for the community and it allows us to meet our mission of keeping the arts alive and accessible for everyone, but there are expenses,” Amy Powell, Executive Director of Art Reach of Mid Michigan, said. “This grant allows us to have some income for those programs that we want to put on for free in the community.”

On average, over 100 artists participate in Art Walk Central each year with an estimated 4,500 people engaging with art during the event.

“The more art we can bring, the more experiences we have for people in the community to see cool, unique, thought-provoking art - for free,” Powell said.

Patron looking at chalk art on the sidewalk during Art Walk Central