Our Biannual Member Meeting is one of my favorite CultureSource events. It’s a gathering of more than 100 members, creatives, supporters, and advocates for the arts, all happy to see and support each other, and the energy is always high! Our Programs team always curates a thoughtful, informative presentation, and I, selfishly, hit my hugs quota early in the day, which is so important to wellbeing, but that’s another story.

Held in the Spring and Fall, it’s a half-day of connecting. Our team has a chance to connect with members, and members finally have that meeting they’ve been meaning to have with each other. I’ve often overheard guests say, “I’ve been planning to schedule time with you, but…” I think we all know what the “but” means. Life be lifing, and work be working.

I just want to remind you that you are not alone, and while the “buts” try to stop you from connecting, it’s so important that you do. When we come together, we catch up, we share ideas and opportunities, we commiserate about challenges and struggles, we encourage and inspire, we uplift and support, and sometimes we just listen, which is just as important. I imagine a lot of us keep things bottled up. We feel like we don’t have that space to just get things off our chest, and that’s not good.

Let’s be there for each other. Let’s make time to connect. Let’s figure out how we can support each other and work together to make sure we all get through these challenging times. Let’s make time to listen. (And let’s hug each other.)

CultureSource is here for you and grateful for all you do. We want to know how you’re doing, in good times and bad, so we can celebrate with you and support you. In the meantime, and at all times, we will continue providing professional and leadership development workshops, change management and consultant services, youth workforce development opportunities, funding and research, and advocate on your behalf. We can help you connect, we can be thought partners, and we can listen. Send me a note so we can schedule time to chat!

• We are excited to introduce you to our new director of programs. Please help us welcome Zlato Fagundes!

• CultureSource is hiring a program manager for our Consulting Services and Innovation Management program. Take a look and apply today!

• Congratulations to Detroit Artists Market (DAM), which announced the launch of its Creative Entrepreneurship Initiative, a new program designed to equip visual artists with the practical business skills and entrepreneurial tools needed to sustain successful creative careers.

• Someday announced a Call for Artists for their second Seedling juried exhibition, an open call inviting artists aged 15-25, students of life or university to submit works for viewing. This is a no-commission art fair, with all funds raised from sales of artwork going directly to the exhibiting artist. Apply here!

• The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has added more artwork to its permanent Native American collection. Make sure you visit the “Contemporary Anishinaabe Art: A Continuation” exhibition, which celebrates the creative achievements of more than 60 Anishinaabe artists from across the Great Lakes region. The exhibit is one of the largest presentations of contemporary indigenous art in the Midwest and the first major Native American exhibition at the DIA in 30 years. Admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.

• Also, earlier this month, Detroit Institute of Arts staff filed to unionize, reflecting broader national trends in workplace organization across the arts sector.

• Are you looking for resources, or have resources that could be helpful to other CultureSource members? We want to know about them. Remember to visit the Resource Library on our website, which also includes a Referral Directory.

Please help us welcome our newest CultureSource members! Know of organizations that can benefit from our coalition? Tell them about CultureSource membership.

• Gunner School
• B Global by Design
• Meet Me With Art
• Belleville Area District Library
• Readers of Detroit
• Grace in Action Collectives
• Linkage Community