The Arts of Citizenship Program

• forms partnerships in which University of Michigan faculty and students work on projects with schools, museums, libraries, arts organizations, theater companies, dance troupes, public agencies, and grassroots groups.
• develops courses that combine rigorous study with practical community work.
• provides start-up funding for innovative teaching and creative projects.

Our partnerships with community groups enrich democratic civic life through the creation of cultural resources in the arts, the humanities, and design:

• History and art exhibits
• Educational websites
• Performance pieces, including theater and dance
• Curricula for elementary students in art, literacy, poetry, history
• Park design prototypes

Since Arts of Citizenship was founded in 1998, core funding has come from the UM Office of the Vice President for Research and from other UM units, including the Whitaker Fund for the Improvement of Teaching. Grants and gifts for specific community projects have come from Ford Motor Company, Community Foundation for Southeastern Michigan, Michigan Humanities Council, Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, McKinley Foundation of Ann Arbor, and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation.