On February 27, 2025, arts and cultural advocates from across the state gathered at the Michigan State Capitol for Cultural Advocacy Day—a vibrant event showcasing the voices and stories of those championing the arts. In a special episode of the Cultural Advocacy Podcast of Michigan, I spoke with three passionate leaders who are shaping Michigan’s creative landscape.

Each guest offered a unique perspective on the role of arts and culture in their communities, underscoring a shared belief: advocacy is essential to sustain and elevate Michigan’s cultural sector.

Anna Marie Buller, from Lions & Rabbits Center for the Arts, shared their innovative model of community-embedded cultural planning and placemaking. Her team partners with local leaders to implement projects like painted crosswalks and murals that enhance public spaces and empower residents.

“We hire somebody local to that community because, of course, they’re the experts of their own place,” she said. “We do skill building with them to help them learn to interface with the government… and we implement placemaking projects.”

At Advocacy Day, Buller shared that advocacy is about visibility, empowerment, and transformation. “Artists so often are working alone… Our role as organizers is to be the voice for them,” she explained. “It’s really our duty to work the muscles of democracy in honor of the arts and in honor of our communities’ cultural assets.”

Reflecting on her early days organizing art shows in vacant storefronts, she offered advice to emerging advocates: “Just because you’re not fairly compensated for your time doesn’t mean that it’s not worth your time. Celebrate your wins—it’ll make the losses easier to navigate.”

I also spoke with Marissa Pierce, Director of Development and External Relations at the Flint Institute of Arts, who is passionate about the role of arts organizations in revitalizing communities and expanding access.

“We don’t want to be hidden. We want you to know that we’re here, and we know that we do important work,” she said, highlighting the Flint Cultural Center’s robust programming, free admissions, and commitment to education through one of the largest museum-connected art schools in the nation.

For Pierce, advocacy isn’t just professional—it’s personal. A Flint native, she grew up taking classes at the Institute and still participates in ballet today. “I feel like beyond my work, I am integrated into that community,” she said. “Advocating is really all about communicating and connecting… It’s not just lip service. The work that we do is vital—sometimes a lifeline.

Cultural Advocacy Day served as a powerful reminder of how the arts shape Michigan’s identity, economy, and sense of community. The event not only amplified the voices of those working on the frontlines of cultural innovation—it created space for connection, storytelling, and shared purpose.

Through the leadership of the Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan, the day became more than just a call to action. It was a celebration of the cultural sector’s resilience, diversity, and value. By bringing advocates, artists, educators, and cultural leaders together with lawmakers, the Network fostered meaningful dialogue and reaffirmed that Michigan’s cultural future depends on collaboration, investment, and unwavering advocacy.

Written by Josh Holliday