News & Views

Troy DeShano Joins NW MI Arts & Culture Network

New position strengthens leadership team, regional advocacy

TRAVERSE CITY, MI — The Northwest Michigan Arts and Culture Network announces the appointment of Troy DeShano of Traverse City as Associate Director, a new role to further the organization’s mission to support and strengthen the collective power of artists, culture bearers and the creative sector to cultivate vibrant communities.

DeShano brings more than two decades experience in the nonprofit sector to his role, with staff positions at several regional organizations including Inland Seas Education Association, Norte Youth Cycling, and—most notably—Michigan Legacy Art Park, where he has been instrumental in fostering public engagement since 2015. DeShano is a 2018 member of Michigan Arts & Culture Council’s Rising Leaders. He has also furthered the arts as a member of the Dennos Museum Center’s Exhibitions Advisory Committee.

DeShano also brings a unique artist’s perspective to the Network, maintaining his own active creative practice as a visual artist for 25 years. As a well-respected, regional fine artist, his dual expertise enhances the Network’s commitment to strengthening the ecosystem that supports the individuals, organizations and creative endeavors that infuse arts and culture throughout Northwest Michigan.

“We are thrilled to welcome Troy to our team,” said executive director, Mary Bevans Gillett. “We look forward to his leadership as the Network continues to grow its services and strengthen its impact furthering the arts throughout the region.”

The Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network is the regional agency serving the artists, culture bearers, arts and cultural organizations, creative businesses and communities in the ten counties of northwest lower Michigan (Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee and Wexford counties). The Network also serves as the regional partner for Michigan Arts and Culture Council. Its mission is to support and strengthen the collective power of artists, culture bearers and the creative sector to cultivate vibrant communities, which it furthers through its strategic priorities to connect, build capacity and communications as it advocates for the creative sector.

For more information, contact arts@nwmiarts.net or www.nwmiarts.org.