Abstract The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids was a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the arts in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area. This collection contains ten interviews with participants instrumental in the formation and early years of the Council. These participants include: Tom Heywood, who served as executive director for 15 years; Ann Mulder, who served as president; Joan White Gillette, the first secretary; Ken and Marty Childs, both of whom served on the Mayor's Cultural...

Abstract The Arts Council of Greater Grand Rapids was a nonprofit arts group in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Arts Council promoted the arts in Grand Rapids and supported local arts organizations through fundraising, grants, workshops and other services. Festival of the Arts was initially organized by Arts Council members and was operated under the Arts Council through 2002. The Arts Council closed in 2012 after a strategic plan found no compelling reason for the organization to continue. The...

Abstract The Festival of the Arts (Festival) is held annually in Grand Rapids, Michigan and is said to be the largest all volunteer arts festival in the country. This collection documents some of the business and events of the Festival from 1964 to 1991. Documents include correspondence, reports, forms, meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, programs, various graphics and images, sheet music and a few audio tapes and films. A variety of different Festival years are represented, as well as...