News Releases

Groundbreaking Planned for July 2 for Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Petoskey

Pure Michigan’s newest cultural arts facility will break ground on Saturday, July 2 beginning at 5 pm for a 500-seat state-of-the-art theater complex located along the shores of Little Traverse Bay, in the resort community of Bay Harbor in Petoskey. The Great Lakes Center for the Arts, will also offer a community engagement room, rooftop terrace, donor lounge and more, to be completed in 2018 with limitless opportunities to inspire, entertain and educate.

“The Center will be a regional, national and international destination for the cultural arts, intellectual dialogue and impactful arts education programs,” says Michael Kaiser, Chairman of the DeVos Institute of Arts Management and former President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, who is serving as Strategic Consulting Partner and Founding Artistic Director for the Center. “Programming will include popular, classical, jazz and country music performances, theatrical productions, music festivals, opera, movies and films, dance, lectures and children’s series.”

In anticipation of the upcoming groundbreaking and continued development of this northern Michigan cultural arts center, the Great Lakes Center for the Arts has announced the following appointments to its staff and board:

Jill O’Neill has been named as Executive Director of the Great Lakes Center for the Arts. She brings over 20 years’ experience in finance and business to the Center. An active community leader, she is a former flutist of the Traverse Symphony Orchestra.

Maris Harrington has been hired as the Director of Development for the Great Lakes Center for the Arts. She brings more than 20 years’ experience in development, education and the arts to the Center. She is also a violinist who has played in orchestras in Europe and the United States.

The founding Board of Directors for the Great Lakes Center for the Arts includes regional and national business, civic and philanthropic leaders who collectively bring diverse skills and talents to ensure the long-term success of the Center. This group includes Co-Chairmen David Johnson and David Small, Secretary Kathy Oswald and Treasurer Carole Cobb; Board of Directors includes Deana Blackburn, Marilyn Crawford, Jennifer Merriman, Jill O’Neill and Elysa Roskam.

SAVE THE DATE — DIAMONDS & DENIM: The Rotary Club of Petoskey has selected Great Lakes Center for the Arts as its partner for 2016 Diamonds & Denim. This third annual Dinner, Dance and Auction will take place on Saturday, September 17 at the Grand Unity Event Center in Petoskey (formerly the Knights of Columbus Hall). Proceeds from this year’s event will be used to fund the building and capital campaign for the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Bay Harbor. For ticket information, auction donations, sponsorship opportunities, click here.