The Arts Initiative is dedicated to providing a platform for University of Michigan students to share their artistic voice and creativity!
These programs showcase a wide range of student creative work.
Arts Initiative believes there is an artist inside each of us. These competitions are your opportunity to share your artistic genius, exhibit your work for the University community and win some prizes! Competitions will be held periodically throughout the year, with calls for art using different themes and mediums. Submissions are narrowed down by staff, and then the finalists are voted on by the public in the Unions and by the U-M Community online. Winners get great prizes, so be sure you’re signed up for Arts Info, our weekly email, so you’ll hear about our future contests and opportunities.
Crafts for Conservation: VIPs Club meets once a week to crochet, knit, bead, sew, embroider, etc., so they can create garments that have an eco-friendly life cycle to combat fast fashion. They sell these clothes, stuffed toys, bags, hats, etc. through VIPs Fund, a nonprofit created by university students for this exact purpose. 100% of funds raised through making these sales go directly towards wildlife conservation projects that we develop ourselves. They host weekly crafting meetings Sundays 2-4 p.m. (Pond Room, first floor Union) and Mondays 5-6 p.m. (Sophia B. Jones Room, first floor Union)!
The Black Film Society has a mission to foster a collaborative community space for creative Black students and alumni at the University of Michigan. They are committed to sharing knowledge, networking, and providing pathways into the entertainment industry. They are a space for students to share their interest in film, television, and media.
Animania's mission is to bring all things anime to those in Ann Arbor and surrounding areas to those who love it, those who are curious about it, and anyone else willing to listen. And of course, having fun while doing so is an absolute must! They will be hosting Con Ja Nai, their annual free, student-run anime convention, on Saturday, February 15!
Arts Info is your weekly guide for arts events around Ann Arbor, student arts opportunities, information about and resources for student arts organizations, and student creative work!
The U-M Arts Initiative seeks to illuminate and expand human connections, inspire collaborative creativity, and build a more just and equitable world through the arts.