Arts & Culture

OVERALL RATING

Nine hundred residents shared their views through telephone and online opinion surveys conducted in the first half of 2019. Key findings are summarized, including ratings for different aspects of life in Flint. Ratings are based on a scale of one to five, in which five means “very positive” and one means “very negative.” For more information about how the ratings were calculated, see Methodology.

THINGS TO CELEBRATE/
THINGS TO IMPROVE

This section highlights survey results regarding what’s working and what needs improvement. If a section of Focus on Flint does not include information about Things to Celebrate or Things to Improve, it’s because the survey didn’t yield responses to fit the categories.

ALSO HEARD

In addition to results of the opinion survey, Focus on Flint shares information that local nonprofit organizations and agencies have reported hearing from the residents they serve.

SUPPORT FROM MOTT

Support for the organizations and programs presented in bold text includes funding from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, which produced this report. To learn more, visit the Foundation’s website, Mott.org.

FACTS & FIGURES

Each section includes data and statistics that illuminate strengths of the Flint community and highlight challenges. These facts were collected through opinion surveys of Flint residents; from city, state and federal agencies; and from local nonprofit organizations. The Flint surveys were conducted in the first half of 2019. Unless otherwise noted, all remaining data are from 2018.

DID YOU KNOW?

This section highlights organizations and programs working to address issues in the Flint community and provides information about how to connect with them.

THE ISSUE AND THE RESPONSE

Focus on Flint explores nine important issues facing the local community: Arts and Culture, Economy, Education, Health, Housing, Public Safety, Quality of Life, Standard of Living and Water. This section describes why each issue is critical to the community and summarizes work underway.

During his February 2019 visit to Flint, cellist Yo-Yo Ma performed with Baba Collins from the city’s Kuungana African Drum and Dance Company.

PHOTO: PETER SMITH, COURTESY OF UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY

3.6

OVERALL RATING

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

THINGS TO CELEBRATE

  • Festivals and cultural events for families
  • Diversity of offerings

ALSO HEARD

  • Genesee County residents support access to the arts in Flint.
  • The arts should be part of students’ K–12 experience.
  • The city needs neighborhood-based arts and cultural programs.

THE ISSUE

The arts can contribute to quality of life, help students to succeed in school, connect people across diverse social backgrounds and boost the local economy. Flint has a vibrant arts and cultural community that attracts audiences from across the city and beyond, offering something for nearly every artistic taste. Ensuring that all Flint residents have access to such programs can be a challenge when demand exceeds available resources.

THE RESPONSE

From school children saving their pennies to support from local businesses and organizations, the birth of the Flint Cultural Center in 1954 was a community-led effort. Over the years, the Mott Foundation has provided major support for the Cultural Center campus, institutions and projects. The Ruth Mott Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater Flint and other organizations and businesses have provided generous support for programs, events and festivals. In 2018, Citizens for a Better Genesee County proposed — and county voters approved — the Arts Education and Cultural Enrichment millage, which is expected to raise roughly $8.7 million each year to help ensure that residents will have access to a wide range of arts and cultural activities in Flint and Genesee County. This will include free or discounted access to Cultural Center institutions and programming by The New McCree Theatre, Berston Field House and Greater Flint Arts Council.

Facts & Figures

PHOTO: ADAM STOLTMANThe Flint Institute of Arts is one of the jewels of the Flint Cultural Center campus.

DID YOU KNOW?

All Genesee County residents can take advantage of free entry to the Flint Institute of Arts and Sloan Museum seven days a week, thanks to an arts millage passed in 2018. Visitors to the FIA can enjoy world-class exhibits, glassblowing demonstrations and community events. While its Cultural Center location is closed for renovation, Sloan Museum is open at Courtland Center Mall, where it will continue to present hands-on exhibits, historic vehicles and the Wisner’s Whizbang Emporium family gallery.

CONTACT: Flint Institute of Arts , 810-234-1695
Sloan Museum , 810-237-3450

 

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