For Gretchen Gonzales Davidson, advocacy and the arts have always gone hand in hand. As Chair of the Michigan Arts & Culture Council (MACC), a Biden appointee to the National Council on the Arts, and an artist herself, she sits at the unique intersection of creativity and policy. Her journey—from playing in experimental bands to advising on national arts funding—has given her a deep appreciation for the role civic engagement plays in ensuring the sustainability and growth of Michigan’s cultural sector.

In a recent interview for the Cultural Advocacy Podcast of Michigan, Gretchen shared her perspective on why artists and cultural leaders must take an active role in advocacy, how serving on boards and engaging with policymakers can strengthen arts funding, and why every Michigander should be invested in the future of the state’s creative community.

The Journey from Artist to Advocate

Gretchen’s path into advocacy began with music. Growing up in Flint, she was immersed in the city’s vibrant Do-It-Yourself (DIY) arts scene. “I had a friend, Joel Rash, who ran this cool, all-ages venue where all the underground, local, and touring bands would play. It gave me that sort of taste of what was possible,” she said​.

Her passion for music led her to Michigan State, where she connected with like-minded artists exploring experimental and avant-garde sounds. Eventually, Detroit’s legendary music scene pulled her in, and she continued to build her career as both an artist and an advocate. “Detroit really pulled me in. As you probably know, the music scene here is unlike anything else in every genre imaginable,” she said​.

As her artistic career evolved, so did her involvement in arts leadership. She now works closely with the Motown Museum, serves on multiple arts boards, and plays an active role in arts philanthropy. “I find myself at that intersection where creativity meets policy, and I can see firsthand what nonprofits and artists need,” Gretchen explained. “We need everyone—the dreamers and the doers, the artists and the administrators—because that’s how real change happens”​.

Why Civic Engagement Matters in the Arts

For Gretchen, civic participation isn’t optional—it’s essential. Serving on arts boards and engaging with policymakers has given her a deep understanding of how funding decisions are made and how advocacy plays a critical role in shaping cultural policy.

“I sit at an intersection as an artist, a philanthropist, and a board member,” she said. Her advocacy efforts have shown her firsthand the impact that engagement can have on arts funding. She believes that many legislators simply don’t understand the full value of arts and culture unless constituents actively tell them. “It doesn’t happen if people don’t speak up. We need everybody to tell their stories. If you have an organization, you need to talk to the people in Lansing and Washington, D.C., and tell them how important their support is,” she urged​.

One of the most effective ways to advocate, according to Gretchen, is to personalize the impact of arts funding. She encourages artists and organizations to reach out to legislators with specific stories of how grants and cultural programs have benefited their communities. “Legislators aren’t usually artists themselves, so they need to hear how funding helps their district. If they receive letters from organizations in their community, they’re much more likely to vote for increased funding,” she explained​.

The Role of Advocacy in Increasing Arts Funding

One of Gretchen’s top priorities as Chair of the Michigan Arts & Culture Council is increasing state funding for the arts. While Michigan has made significant progress in expanding access to cultural grants, the state still lags in national rankings for per capita arts funding. “Last year, we were 24th in per capita arts funding. With the new budget, we’re going to be 32nd in the nation—so we’re going in the wrong direction,” she said​.

Her concern is that without increased investment, Michigan’s arts sector will struggle to compete with other states. “With more funding, we could be more impactful,” she noted. One of MACC’s current efforts is working to ensure that creative arts therapies, such as music and dance therapy, receive insurance coverage, which would expand access to these essential services​.

Gretchen also stressed the need for stronger arts education funding. “Right now, education in Michigan is ranked 42nd in the nation, which is an awful number. I truly believe that more support for arts education would help improve students’ critical thinking and creativity. It’s something Michigan—and the entire country—is lacking,” she said​.

How Artists and Communities Can Advocate for the Arts

Advocacy isn’t just for policymakers or nonprofit leaders—it’s something that everyone can and should be involved in. Gretchen believes that even small efforts can create meaningful change.

She encourages people to use social media to celebrate the arts and cultural organizations that matter to them. “Make sure you’re celebrating your friends, celebrating the organizations that make a difference in your life, and sending your stories to legislators,” she said​.

Beyond digital advocacy, she recommends that arts supporters take the time to visit their representatives, send letters, and participate in events like Michigan’s annual Advocacy Day, where cultural leaders come together to push for increased arts funding. “We all need to lift each other up. It takes a village,” she said​.

She also believes that framing arts advocacy as a nonpartisan issue is key to securing support. “Arts and culture is a nonpartisan situation. We all benefit from a thriving creative community. When we continue to communicate the mental health benefits and economic impact of the arts, I believe we can get more funding for the organizations that need it so desperately,” she said​.

The Future of Arts Advocacy in Michigan

As Michigan’s arts sector looks to the future, Gretchen remains optimistic but realistic about the challenges ahead. She acknowledges that increasing arts funding will require persistent advocacy and a collective effort from cultural organizations, artists, and supporters across the state.

“The good news is that we’ve reached nearly every legislative district in Michigan with MACC funding,” she noted. “But we need to do more. If we advocate together with the message that arts and culture matter in schools, in communities, and in economic development, we can make a bigger difference”​.

For Gretchen, the work is never done—but that’s exactly why she continues to champion the arts. “We need to keep telling our stories. We need to show how the arts make life better for everyone. If we do that, we can build a future where Michigan’s creative community thrives,” she said​.

Gretchen Gonzales Davidson’s story is a powerful reminder of why civic engagement is crucial for the arts. Whether through serving on boards, advocating for increased funding, or simply sharing stories with legislators, everyone has a role to play in shaping Michigan’s cultural landscape. By coming together as a community, the arts sector can ensure that Michigan remains a vibrant, creative, and inspiring place for generations to come.

Written by Josh Holliday