ARTown Michigan

Welcome to Artown

Artown Michigan is a region, a destination and a state of mind. It spans northeast Michigan along the coast of Lake Huron from Standish to Mackinac. It is a series of distinct yet interconnected creative communities, each with its own rich array of arts and cultural events, activities, galleries, shops, and businesses. It is a place to wander down a road less traveled; a place to relax, unwind, have fun, create, explore, reach out to others or enjoy the serenity of a day to yourself.

ARTown Michigan promotes collaboration between the organizations and businesses of our region while highlighting and marketing all of the art, culture, history and heritage that is here to be savored and enjoyed. If you are a visitor, ARTown Michigan welcomes you. If you are lucky enough to live here, your town is ARTown.

ARTown Juried Art Contest

Art in the Loft

Art in the Loft is a spacious loft-like regional arts center and gallery combining small town charm and cosmopolitan flair. Located on the third floor of the historic Center Building overlooking Downtown Alpena with views of Lake Huron, Art in the Loft features year-round special events, activities, exhibits and workshops for all ages. Art in the Loft exhibits the work of over 40 Michigan artists offering unique and affordable fine art, jewelry and gifts in a wide range of media.

Besser Museum

The Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan is an educational institution dedicated to serving the public of all ages and abilities in art, history, and science. Through research, it collects, preserves, and interprets artifacts, specimens, and information concerning the 15 counties in Northeast Michigan. Through programs and exhibits, it promotes understanding and appreciation of the past and present.

Thunder Bay Arts Council

Thunder Bay Arts Council's mission is to promote, support, and preserve the arts through performance, education, and leadership. We at TBAC believe that "The Arts Make a Lasting Difference" in the life of each member of our community, so we are dedicated to increasing awareness and involvement in the arts throughout Northeast Michigan.

Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center

Climb aboard, take the wheel, and man the bilge pump of a Great Lakes schooner and feel, hear, touch and see what it’s like to be in troubled waters struggling to reach safety during a howling Thunder Bay storm. Crawl through the shipwreck discovery tubes for a scuba diver’s view of a 19th-century shipwreck. Kid-friendly and fun, is how the new Exploring the Shipwreck Century exhibit is best described at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

Photo courtesy of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary