For Artists
Exhibit
Share your work with others in one of the Glen Arbor Arts Center indoor galleries, the outdoor gallery and through the Manitou Music poster competition. Artists have an opportunity to sell works on display in any of the exhibits.
2026 Exhibition Opportunities
Members Create — Main Galley Exhibition, March 20–May 28, 2026. An annual tradition celebrating the Glen Arbor Arts Center members’ creativity. Open to all current GAAC members. Non-juried exhibit. (Registration deadline has passed.)
American Tree — Main Gallery Exhibition, June 5–August 13, 2026. Building a united state of trees. Juried exhibit. (Registration deadline has passed.)
Taking Flight — Main Gallery Exhibition, August 14–October 29, 2026. Group show featuring the work of Shanny Brooke, painter; Cynthia Marks, sculptural clay; Michelle Tock York, found object mixed media constructions.
Small Works 2026 — Main Gallery Exhibition, November 5–December 16, 2026. An exhibition of objects 12″ or smaller, $150 or less. (Application deadline is September 14, 2026 at 2 pm.)
Little Free Art Gallery — Outdoor Gallery, Open 24/7. Children’s donated artwork – take a piece / leave a piece of artwork. Art supplies available.
Teach
Share your creativity and inspiration with others! At the Glen Arbor Arts Center, we believe in the power of teaching to spark imagination and connect people through the arts. With more than 100 classes offered year-round, there are plenty of opportunities to guide others in the joy of creating.
FYI — Each fall (usually in the September-October time frame) we look ahead and plan the next year’s class schedule. New teacher inquiries and class proposals are welcome at any time of the year, and some classes are added during the year, but the bulk of the class schedule for the coming year is set in the fall season preceding the calendar year.
New Teachers
If you have never taught with GAAC before, we’d love to hear from you. Tell us about yourself, your background, and the types of classes you’re interested in leading.
Returning Teachers + New Teachers Ready to Submit a Proposal
Returning Teachers: If you’ve taught with GAAC before, thank you for continuing to share your gifts with our community! Please use this form to submit new class ideas.
New Teachers: If you’ve already completed the New Teacher Form and have connected with our Program Manager, you’re welcome to submit your class proposal here.
Your ideas help us continue to offer a wide range of creative experiences for our community.
Perform
Manitou Music concerts at the Glen Arbor Arts Center are popular summer events. They often take place on the Arts Center front porch as well as other family-friendly locations around the Glen Lake area. If you are interested in performing as part of the Manitou Music concert series or offer other performances – theatre, dance, poetry readings – we’d love to hear from you.
Artist in Residence
Glen Arbor is the perfect backdrop to experiment, explore and create. The Suzanne Wilson Artist-in-Residence program offers artists a unique opportunity to work in the awe-inspiring atmosphere within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and spectacular surrounding shoreline, wooded hills, inland lakes and Crystal River. Residencies are a one person opportunity of two weeks in duration during May thru October.
2025 artist-in-residents have been selected. Click on the link to learn more about the residency program and how to apply for 2026.
PLEIN AIR WEEKEND
Join with other artists from throughout Michigan and the Midwest for this popular three-day event. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the local beaches, lakes, dunes, rivers, forest and farms with two days of painting opportunities, having your paintings juried by well known artists and selling your work to eager art fans.
Use the button below to learn more about the Plein Air Weekend and how to apply. Registration for 2026 opens March 18 at 9:30am.
Mentorship Program (L.A.M.P.)
A two-week hands-on learning program for creatives age 16–22 years.
