For Anita Louise Horne Jenkins, the arts were essential to both the individual and the community. A way for people to expand their universe and feel connected and a sense of belonging. That belief shaped her philanthropy at Midland Center for the Arts, including the support she and her husband, Jim, provided to bring our region’s premiere of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Midland Center in 2024. It was a milestone for our region, and a moment Anita cared deeply about: world-class artistry, cultural celebration, and community all in one night.
Donor Spotlight
Building Relationships That Let the Arts Thrive
When you ask Kevin Scorsone why Tri-Star Trust sponsors Midland Symphony Orchestra, he doesn’t start with impressions or visibility. He begins with the people.
Get Your Babysitters Early
How Bob & Sheryl Lane Made Midland Center a Tradition. We’re kicking off our new spotlight series with Bob and Sheryl Lane, longtime supporters whose story captures how the arts can become a cornerstone of family and community life. We caught up with them ahead of a long-standing tradition — spending an evening at the Center.
Midland Center for the Arts Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Just as It Began
It was May 1, 1971 and the Midland Symphony Orchestra and Choirs of the Center were joined together for the dedication concert of Midland Center for the Arts featuring “Prelude to Die Meistersinger” by Richard Wagner, “Adagio for Strings” by Samuel Barber, and “The Promise of Living” by Aaron Copland. And 50 years later, to commemorate this dedication performance, Midland Center for the Arts will reflect on its history just as it began.
Midland Area Community Foundation Awards Grant to Midland Center for the Arts
It has been 19 months since the devastating floods in Midland County, and organizations like Midland Center for the Arts are continuing to recover from the immense damages it caused to their facilities. While the Center has continued to offer the community enriching exhibitions of science, art and history in a temporary space, they have been working to secure resources necessary to repair and upgrade its many facilities including the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art.
Midland Area Community Foundation Awards COVID Relief Grant to Midland Center for the Arts
As the doors to the Auditorium at Midland Center for the Arts continue to remain closed as a result of the International pandemic, the community and local foundations have stepped forward to support Midland’s cultural destination while opportunities to draw in normal revenue are extremely limited. Thanks to the leadership of the Midland Area Community Foundation, Midland Center is the latest recipient of a COVID Relief grant in the amount of $30,000 for their focus area, Enriching our Community.
Midland County Historical Society Collects Stories and Experiences About the Community Through Oral History Project
The history of Midland County is important, for its residents, historians and future generations. Although we often think of history as only what remains from the past, whether that be stories, journals, photos, documents or artifacts, history is actually living in each moment of every day. The Midland County Historical Society preserves the county’s history by maintaining a collection of historical objects and documents, but they are also working to ensure the stories of our current experience are documented and preserved for future generations and historians.
Midland Center for the Arts Welcomes New Vice President of Development
Midland Center for the Arts recently announced the addition of Michael Mirto as the new Vice President of Development. Mirto comes to the Center from the Detroit area where he was the VP of Philanthropic Services for the Community Foundation of Southeast Michigan, and before that the Associate Vice President of Individual Giving at Wayne State University.