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SAULT STE. MARIE -- The Upper Peninsula Arts & Culture Alliance will bring artists, cultural organizations, community leaders and advocates together Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25-26, for its annual conference in Sault Ste. Marie.
This year's event will focus on volunteerism, community building and the many ways arts and culture can bring people together. Through presentations, panel discussions, breakout sessions and networking opportunities, participants will explore practical approaches to collaboration, public engagement, arts access, and building stronger communities throughout the U.P.
The conference begins with a public reception from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Eastern time Friday, Sept. 25, at the Sault Area Art Center's new location on Ashmun Street next to the Soo Theatre.
The main conference will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, at Lake Superior State University's Walker Cisler Student and Conference Center.
Saturday's program will feature keynote speaker Jim Edwards, programming and education coordinator at the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum.
Throughout the day, attendees will be able to choose from rounds of breakout sessions addressing topics including audience development through site-specific performance, cross-sector collaboration, government and public agency engagement, expanding arts access, murals and public art, traditional arts, intergenerational storytelling and community engagement by independent artists, writers and authors, as well as more expressive experiences such as healing arts.
The conference is designed to provide both inspiration and practical ideas that participants can bring back to their own communities. It also creates an opportunity for people working across disciplines and communities to build relationships, exchange ideas, and learn from one another.
The Alliance serves artists, organizations, and communities throughout Michigan's Upper Peninsula by strengthening connections, expanding access to resources and professional development, supporting arts and cultural funding, research, and demonstrating the value of the region's creative sector.
Registration for the 2026 annual conference is open. Individuals who are members of the Alliance Directory can register for as little as $35. Organizations registering as a single entity can bring up to three people on a single registration.
For more information and registration go to upacalliance.com.