There is a decidedly colorful palette of arts experiences for groups to draw from when convening in Southwest Michigan, from gallery crawls during which attendees will visit with local artists to hands-on activities that will have them creating their own masterpieces.
The region is also home to a long list of inspiring museums and theaters that house amazing works of fine and performance art, and host memorable group gatherings.
Grand Rapids
A great group art experience in Grand Rapids is a visit to Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, one of the city’s top attractions that was recently named among the country’s “Must-See Museums” by Delta Sky magazine.
“It offers an amazing art collection displayed in a natural setting and the indoor gardens and galleries make it a year-round attraction,” said Janet Korn, senior vice president at Experience Grand Rapids.
Groups can customize their experience with tram tours, docent-led walking tours and self-guided exploration.
ArtPrize, which takes place annually for 19 days during autumn, is one of the most unique art experiences for groups, according to Korn.
“ArtPrize is the world’s largest, radically open art competition where the city of Grand Rapids becomes a canvas for participating artists,” she said. “Groups can explore the city and the 182 participating venues for free during this time.”
This year ArtPrize begins next month, on Sept. 21, and runs through Oct. 9.
Greater Lansing
From small galleries in Old Town Lansing to well-known attractions, including the Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, to special festivals celebrating blues and jazz, Greater Lansing has many arts experiences awaiting visiting groups.
The Broad Art Museum, a one-of-a-kind venue designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, is a favorite among meeting attendees.
“It’s a terrific location for an upscale group event that incorporates some of the most progressive contemporary art exhibitions into an extremely unique space,” said Julie Pingston, senior vice president and COO for the Greater Lansing CVB (GLCVB).
The GLCVB, she added, has facilitated gallery crawls through the Old Town district for a number of groups interested in a fun and networking-friendly outing.
“Groups enjoy the leisurely pace and uniqueness of each gallery and the GLCVB works to customize the event to the group’s size and needs,” said Pingston.
Kalamazoo
Planners seeking a wonderful arts experience in Kalamazoo should consider booking the meeting when downtown’s Art Hop is in full swing.
According to Nate Melvin, business development manager for Discover Kalamazoo, Art Hop, generally offered the first Friday of each month, is a great way for groups to experience the city’s artistic culture.
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“Professional and amateur artists take over the retail, restaurant and business storefronts of the downtown Kalamazoo walking mall for the evening,” he said. “Special wine and cheese receptions can be found with the artists present to talk about and sell their pieces. Live performing and visual arts presentations can also be found.”
Kalamazoo, added Melvin, “is a showstopper when it comes to performing arts,” as the city boasts 11 theaters that present everything from community productions to headlining acts and touring Broadway shows.
Miller Auditorium, for example, will begin its 2016-17 season next month with a lineup including the wildly popular The Book of Mormon and Motown The Musical.
Planners should also check out the calendar of events at both the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and Farmers Alley Theatre, where they’ll find more award-winning plays and musicals on deck.
Battle Creek
At Battle Creek’s Fantasy Forest, meeting attendees are encouraged to play.
“Swing in a two-story swing, have your picture taken in the mouth of a troll or sit on a Phoenix chair,” said Kimber Thompson, marketing manager for Calhoun County Visitors Bureau.
Thompson explained that instead of cutting down huge ash trees that were killed by the emerald ash borer insect, Leila Arboretum invited artists to transform them into sculptures, and Fantasy Forest was born.
“This is the largest free sculpture park in Michigan, featuring 25 trees that have been turned into fantastical or folk-inspired works of art,” she said. “Most were carved by chainsaws. This venue is something your group will talk about for quite a while.”
Another option for groups seeking an arts experience in Battle Creek is the Changling Lab, a working art studio that specializes in using recycled materials to create products with a purpose.
The lab welcomes groups, and meeting attendees of all abilities will complete artwork during fun customized team-bonding activities.
“No one can draw a straight line, but everyone loves rolling up their sleeves and trying to create something beautiful,” said Thompson.
Holland
The Holland Museum, which has an incredible collection of Dutch artwork on display, is a good place to start if the meeting agenda is arts-infused.
“Get acquainted with Holland’s rich history and view a variety of rotating exhibits on the first floor,” said Wendy Link, sales director for the Holland Area CVB.
Link also recommended groups check out the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, West Michigan’s premier professional theater company that produces six shows in rotation every summer, and Candle-ology, located at Moynihan Gallery & Framing in downtown Holland.
“Groups can make their own soy candles, and choose from over 100 scents,” said Link. “The candles only take an hour to set up, so the group can either shop in downtown Holland or head next door to Warner Vineyards’ charming little shop for wine tasting.”
Muskegon County
Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, an architectural gem complete with ornate carvings, gold accents, ceilings and walls adorned with ornamental light fixtures, and opera chairs covered with rich velour, is a must-see venue that accommodates receptions, banquets and conferences.
It is also home to a year-round calendar of entertaining options for visiting groups, including concerts, movies, festivals and special holiday presentations.
According to Bernadette Benkert, sales executive for the Muskegon County CVB, the Muskegon Museum of Art is another must-experience arts option.
“It’s a small but extremely impressive museum with works purchased by founding lumber baron Charles Hackley,” she said.
Artists represented here include John Steuart Curry, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer and Joos van Cleve.
“Many groups enjoy a guided tour and can include a cocktail reception in conclusion of the event,” said Benkert.
