Troy DeShano is the Executive Director of the Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network, and has been a visual artist for 25 years.
The Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network is the regional agency serving the artists, culture bearers, arts and cultrual organizations, creative businesses and communities in the ten counties of northwest lower Michigan (Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford coutnies), and is based in Traverse City. It was established in 2018 as a nonprofit and formed a relationship with the Michigan Arts and Cultural Council for grants. The work is very relational and about connecting people in the creative community, and supports local artists in an effort with finding an opportunity for grants. The mission of Northwest Michigan Arts & Culture Network is to amplify the arts through connection.
Troy's role as director is listening to the groups in the community and what struggles are faced. The most common theme is the feeling of isolation in an artist's life if it is not their fulltime profession. Groups are seeking meaningful human relationships, i.e. the community, and how to become better as an artist and how they can present themselves. There is a need for education and connection, and there are two programs that create space for attendees to build relationships to get to know one another. "Level Up" is a yearlong program that hosts workshops and expert-led seminars around the region, that include how to use AI, grant writing, roles and responsibilities for staff, social media. "Caffeinated Conversations" is a networking gathering to facilitate discussions on various local topics.
The ecosystem plays a role in the art world. The infrastructure is very fragile. Grants issued in Michigan are down about one-third over the last 20 years for the arts. Arts is essential, and that is one of the roles that Troy has is to show the importance of arts in the community.
Arts & Culture Summit will be held May 14-15, 2026. This is an inspirational gathering that focuses on connection for the creative community. It is held in Traverse City and is now a 2-day event. The City Opera House is the hub of the event for lectures, panel discussions, and performances.
If anyone wants to learn more about the arts, contact Troy at director@nwmiarts.org. To watch a recording of Troy's presentation, click on the following link. https://youtu.be/UvCirAxj_KU