Opportunities

Up North Arts is looking for talented and dedicated volunteers for some specific positions. 

The Traverse City Philharmonic is seeking your volunteer help. Since its beginning over 70 years ago, the TC Phil has enjoyed the support of many dedicated and loyal volunteers – and couldn’t make music without them.

Whether it is an event or greeting guests or helping with art classes, we have many opportunities.

To promote and encourage cultural and educational activities within the Straits Area of Northern Michigan, and to provide services that stimulate and encourage participation and appreciation of the arts within all segments of the community and to showcase the historic Cheboygan Opera House.

We couldn't do all that we do at Art & Connection without the help of our valued volunteers.

Apply to Teach

Are you interested in teaching a class at NAA?

Thank you for your interest in teaching at the Elizabeth Lane Oliver Center for the Arts. Class offerings are decided by staff and committee. Instructors receive 70% of class registrations and OAC receives 30% - please consider this when pricing your class. In addition, OAC Members receive a $20 discount on all classes.

The National Writers Series of Traverse City is looking for dynamic, experienced, and outgoing teachers for various creative writing classes. Our Raising Writers program offers free creative writing classes to area youth and serves students from fourth through twelfth grade. Raising Writers provides writing classes across many disciplines, including fiction, creative nonfiction, journalism, poetry, playwriting, Moth-style storytelling, improv, and college essay workshops.

ClaySpaceTC is looking for a ceramic artist to present a two day workshop.
The goal is to provide our students and the community with a unique ceramic experience.

The Traverse City Dance Project Internship Program offers college students a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the vibrant world of professional dance and gain hands-on experience in both administrative or production roles. Whether you’re passionate about arts administration or production, our program provides valuable insights and practical skills to kickstart your career in the performing arts.

Walking is an exhibit about ambling, rambling, wending one’s way. Why do you walk? Where do you walk? What do you see when you walk? What do you think about when you walk? Are you present or elsewhere?

The 45th annual Suttons Bay Art Festival, a cherished local tradition, is now co-managed by Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) as part of a multi-year transition. Since its founding over 50 years ago, CTAC has been a cornerstone of the arts community in Northern Michigan, offering educational programs, exhibits, and events that celebrate creativity at all levels. By 2026, CTAC will take full responsibility for managing the festival, ensuring that its legacy of high-quality art and community engagement continues. We are thrilled to continue working with renowned juror Donna Popke, maintaining the festival’s excellence and connection to the vibrant Northern Michigan arts scene.

The 64th annual Crooked Tree Art Fair will be held on Saturday, July 26, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. The Crooked Tree Art Fair is a juried show featuring over 100 artists from across the country.  The fair will be held on the grounds of the Grand Traverse Parks and Recreation Civic Center. We will be located on the north end of the property facing US 31. This location features great visibility, high traffic, food trucks, and more.

We’re excited to announce that the 3rd Annual Coastal Caravan Art Fair will be held on Saturday, July 26^th on the grounds of the Oliver Art Center.  This will be a juried fair, the goal being to present shoppers with a high-quality shopping experience featuring handmade and original works, offering our participating artists an enjoyable opportunity to sell their products. The show will begin at 10:00 am and end at 4:00 pm and is free to the public. We will promote the event on our website, on social media, via email, in print, on IPR radio, and with yard signs throughout the region.

Higher Art Gallery is excited to announce an Open Call for:

"Great Bodies"
This is an exhibit dedicated to celebrating the Great Lakes and inland Lakes, streams and rivers which make our region so special. 

In honor of Women’s History Month, OAC asks for submissions from women artists in all media. We are curating this exhibit with several invited artists but will also be accepting additional entries via an open call.

The exhibit and reception will be in the Northport Arts Association, Village Arts Building Gallery SUBMISSIONS - Each Photographer can submit up to 4 photos under 30” in width to be hung on display. - Photos must not have been displayed at the NAA in a past exhibit.

Crooked Tree Arts Center is once again hosting the Young Writers Exposition as part of the annual Youth Arts Festival! Elementary, middle, and high school teachers from schools served by the Char-Em ISD (or home school students in Charlevoix/Emmet counties) are invited to submit works of writing to the exposition.

The theme UNFOLDING invites artists to explore the multifaceted aspects of springtime – a season marked by rejuvenation, transformation, and hope.

The Dennos Museum Center in Traverse City is pleased to announce a fine arts and crafts event in its 4th year May 10th, 2025.  The Spring Art Market is a one day juried art fair held indoors in our Sculpture Court before the summer art fair season begins. This well-attended event falls on Mother's Day weekend and special programming will be offered making this a fun-filled experience for visitors of all ages. Admission is free to all.

The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra (GLCO) is pleased to announce new members Dibby Smith,
Jim Graves, and Tom Bailey to the organization’s Board of Trustees. 

The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra is a nonprofit professional orchestra headquartered in
Petoskey. For twenty-four years the mission of the GLCO has been to inspire, entertain and
educate through live, professional, community-connected orchestral programming. For more
information, visit www.glcorchestra.org.

Art & Connectin would like to offer a class in repurposing globes into works of three dimensional art.  Looking for people to donate globes or...