Summit Request for Proposals
Request for Proposals
2026 Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Summit
In 2026, the Summit will unfold as a shared, living experience: part gathering, part celebration, part invitation to slow down and pay attention to the creative life of our region.
We’re seeking proposals for workshops, conversations, hands-on experiences, installations, performances, and public moments that help people connect—to ideas, to place, and to one another.
This call is open to artists, culture-bearers, educators, organizers, tradition-keepers, and creative practitioners of all kinds. We’re especially interested in offerings that:
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invite participation
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encourage curiosity and wonder
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emerge from lived practice
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feel rooted in people, place, or process
You don’t need a polished pitch or a “big” idea. We’re looking for work that is thoughtful, generous, and grounded—work that contributes to the shared fabric of the Summit weekend.
If you have something you’ve been wanting to try, share, or explore alongside others, we’d love to hear from you.
Against the Current
The theme for this year's event is Against the Current. In a culture driven by profit, productivity, and conformity, the arts embody a necessary resistance. To create is to move against the current—refusing to be defined only by economics, pushing back against narrowing pressures, and opening space for what is more inclusive, equitable, and beautiful. This Summit invites artists and cultural leaders to explore how creativity carries us upstream: not only resisting what diminishes us, but shaping what comes next.
Example Categories
We’re looking for meaningful proposals that will resonate with a diverse audience of creatives, arts administrators, and community leaders. Your session or activity should align with the Summit’s goal to foster meaningful relationships through shared cultural experiences. Here are some examples of the types of experiences you could submit:
- Educational Workshops: Share practical knowledge, professional development, or emerging trends in the arts and culture sectors.
- Discussion Groups / Roundtables: Facilitate thoughtful conversations on relevant topics, challenges, and innovations in arts and culture.
- Performances: Propose live performances in dance, music, theater, or experimental work.
- Hands-on Activities: Lead or suggest interactive, creative activities that engage attendees and/or the public.
- Experiential Offerings: Exhibits, displays, or immersive environments that enrich the attendee experience throughout the day.
- Wellness Activities: Offer activities that promote well-being, mindfulness, or physical movement to enhance the Summit experience.
Submit Your Proposal:
- Submission Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Workshops and panels should be for either 60 or 90 minute sessions
- Experiences and activities can range from momentary to ongoing throughout the day
If you have an idea but need help refining it, we encourage you to submit your concept! We are open to exploring new possibilities and working with presenters to create something unique together.