Arts Midwest
Strengthening local arts and culture in the Midwest through grants, programs, and advocacy.
Who we are
Arts Midwest is one of six nonprofit United States Regional Arts Organizations established to support and celebrate creativity across the Midwest.
Founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Arts Midwest partners with the National Endowment for the Arts, state agencies, and private funders to enhance the arts in communities across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Since its inception, Arts Midwest has awarded over 6,000 grants totaling nearly $60 million, impacting more than 700,000 individuals annually.
What we do
Arts Midwest's mission is to build unprecedented opportunities across the Midwest by advancing creativity. The organization supports arts and cultural initiatives through various programs and grants, such as the NEA Big Read, Shakespeare in American Communities, and the GIG Fund. Arts Midwest helps communities become more visible, sustainable, and interconnected by providing resources, fostering connections, and celebrating regional creativity. Their work emphasizes equity, integrity, and learning, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in the arts community.
Working at Arts Midwest
At Arts Midwest, we prioritize the well-being of our employees by fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. In 2022, we implemented a four-day work week, allowing staff to work 30 hours weekly from Monday to Thursday. This shift not only promotes work-life balance but also enhances productivity and creativity. Our team operates remotely, with stipends for home office setups and high-speed internet. We value professional growth and support our employees through various development opportunities, including attending conferences and cultural events.
Team Benefits
Arts Midwest offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the health and well-being of our employees, including:
- Four-day, 30-hour work week
- Remote work options
- Health and dental insurance, with 90% of employee health premiums and 50% of dependent health premiums covered
- Life and long-term care insurance at no cost to employees
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance
- Generous PTO policy, including five weeks of paid leave and two weeks of office closure in winter and summer
- Twelve weeks of paid parental leave and up to four weeks of paid leave for caregiving or bereavement
- Retirement savings with a 6.25% employer contribution to a 403(b) plan after one year
- Professional development support and a $150 annual art stipend
