Michigan Creates
ABOUT MICHIGAN CREATES:
Explore the vibrant arts and culture landscape of Michigan, a state with a thriving creative ecosystem that has birthed iconic movements like Motown and The Purple Rose Theater. Home to legendary musicians, writers, and artists, Michigan boasts a rich tapestry of cultural heritage known worldwide. Michigan Creates is a podcast series that will connect listeners with gifted artists and cultural institutions that are nurturing Michigan's vibrant creative landscape.
PODCAST HOST:
Join your host, Ara Topouzian, an award-winning Armenian musician and advocate for the arts in Michigan. Ara will converse with artists and cultural institutions while exploring the intersection of music and culture and highlighting their work to bolster the artist community that sustains Michigan's creative economy.
Episodes
26 episodes
Invisible Isn’t Failing: A Reflection on Artists, Art Organizations, and What Quietly Disappears
After more than two years of interviewing artists and arts organizations across Michigan, host Ara Topouzian pauses for a short, personal reflection. There’s no guest today—just an honest observation about visibility, sustainability, and...
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Season 3
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Episode 26
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5:30
How Detroit Contemporary Art Thrives | Dorota & Steve Coy, ArtClvb
In this episode of Michigan Creates, host Ara Topouzian talks with Dorota and Steve Coy, co-founders of ArtClvb, a dynamic Detroit contemporar...
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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14:29
Big Picture Art & Equity in Performance | Esther Triggs, Interlochen Center for the Arts
Ara Topouzian sits down with Esther Triggs, Director of Equity & Inclusion at Interlochen Center for the Arts, to explore how creativity, dialogue, and performance foster equity in arts education. This conversation highlights ...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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29:37
Bridging Art & Public Engagement | Lyla Catellier, Cranbrook Art Museum
In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian speaks with Lyla Catellier, Curator of Public Programs at Cranbrook Art Museum. They discuss how museums engage audiences through public programming, collaboration, and accessible...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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26:36
Music Education & Community Impact | Rodney Lontine, Flint Institute of Music
Host Ara Topouzian talks with Rodney Lontine, President & CEO of the Flint Institute of Music, about the transformative power of music education and performance. The conversation explores how FIM expands access to the arts, nu...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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22:00
100 Years of Creativity & Culture | Kathryn Dimond, Scarab Club
Ara Topouzian explores the history and ongoing relevance of Detroit’s Scarab Club with Kathryn Dimond. This episode highlights the club’s century-long legacy as a creative gathering place for artists, writers, and cultural leaders...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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14:32
ArtPrize: Celebrating Public Art & Community | Exhibition Team
In this episode, Ara Topouzian talks with JoLee Kirkikis and Kailey Smith-Barth of ArtPrize about public art, creative placemaking, and audience engagement. They discuss how large-scale art experiences ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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17:01
Immigrant Voices in Michigan Arts | Ara Topouzian (Solo Reflections)
In a special solo episode, Ara Topouzian reflects on Immigrant Heritage Month and the vital role immigrant artists play in shaping Michigan’s cultural landscape. Through personal storytelling and broader perspective, this episode explores ident...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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8:58
How Art Builds Community | Lisa Howard, Plymouth Community Arts Council
Ara Topouzian speaks with Lisa Howard, Executive Director of the Plymouth Community Arts Council, about the impact of community-based arts programming. They discuss public art, youth education, and events that make creativity acce...
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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18:01
Julie Dawson on Art, Storytelling & Illustration | Illustrator, Author, Artist
In this episode, Ara Topouzian talks with Michigan artist Julie Dawson, an illustrator, author, and creative storyteller whose work spans decades. They explore her artistic journey, creative process, and contributions to arts educ...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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22:30
Preserving Culture Through Memory and Art | Ara Topouzian (Solo Episode)
In this solo episode of Michigan Creates, host Ara Topouzian reflects on the role of culture, memory, and artistic expression in the aftermath of genocide and collective trauma. Drawing connections between the Armenian Genocide an...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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9:38
Expanding Access to the Arts | Audra Pieknik, The Art Experience
In this episode of Michigan Creates, host Ara Topouzian talks with Audra Pieknik, Executive Director of The Art Experience, about expanding access to visual arts through education, exhibitions, and community programming. Au...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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13:02
Leading a Symphony in a Changing Arts Landscape | Sarah Calderini, Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra
Ara Topouzian sits down with Sarah Calderini, Executive Director of the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra, to discuss leadership, sustainability, and community engagement in orchestral music. The conversatio...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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25:07
Art, Healing, and Public Spaces | Elaine Sims & Laura Mettam, Gifts of Art
In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Elaine Sims and Laura Mettam of the University of Michigan Medicine Gifts of Art program. They discuss how art and music are integrated into healthcare se...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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15:28
Presenting Music with Intimacy and Intent | Monica Swartout-Bebow, Kerrytown Concert House
In this episode of Michigan Creates, host Ara Topouzian talks with Monica Swartout-Bebow, Artistic and Executive Director of Kerrytown Concert House, about presenting music in an intimate, arti...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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29:52
Touring, Advocacy, and Artist Support | Amanda Stanger-Read, GLPAA
Ara Topouzian speaks with Amanda Stanger-Read, Executive Director of Great Lakes Performing Artists Associates (GLPAA), about artist touring, advocacy, and sustaining performing arts caree...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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19:10
Building Theater Rooted in Story and Place | Sarah Clare Corporandy, Detroit Public Theatre
In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Sarah Clare Corporandy, co-founder of Detroit Public Theatre, about creating theater that reflects community, identity, and lived experience. Sarah shares...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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21:53
Jazz, Clarity, and Musical Storytelling | Dave Bennett
Ara Topouzian sits down with Dave Bennett, jazz clarinetist and multi-instrumentalist, to discuss musical storytelling, improvisation, and artistic discipline. Dave reflects on his creative journey, performance philosophy, and how...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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26:57
Creating Access Through Youth Arts | Dwayne Hayes, KickstART Farmington
In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Dwayne Hayes, founder and Executive Director of KickstART Farmington, about providing access to arts education for young people. Dwayne shares how creativ...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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17:24
Stewarding a Historic Performance Venue | Vince Paul, Music Hall of Detroit
Ara Topouzian speaks with Vince Paul, President and Artistic Director of the Music Hall of Detroit, about leading a historic performance venue with relevance and purpose. The conversation highlights programming decis...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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39:00
Middle Eastern Music and Cultural Continuity | Victor Ghannam
In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Victor Ghannam, Middle Eastern musician and educator, about music as cultural preservation. Victor shares insights into tradition, transmission, and how musical heritag...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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30:14
Folk Music, Story, and Place | Jeff Karoub
Ara Topouzian speaks with Jeff Karoub, folk musician and songwriter, about storytelling through song and the role of place in shaping musical identity. Jeff reflects on songwriting, performance, and how folk traditions continue to...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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36:28
Bridging Cultures Through Music | Xiao Dong Wei
In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Xiao Dong Wei, Chinese musician and composer, about bridging cultures through music. The conversation explores tradition, cross-cultural collaboration, and how m...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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30:04
Media, Storytelling, and Community Platforms | Michael Hyacinthe, Wimee TV
Ara Topouzian sits down with Michael Hyacinthe, founder of Wimee TV, to discuss storytelling through media and community-based platforms. Michael shares how local voices, creative content, and inclusive media spaces ...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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17:47
Writing, Memory, and Personal Narrative | Marsha Music
In this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian talks with Marsha Music, writer and storyteller, about memory, personal narrative, and the written word. Marsha reflects on storytelling as a tool for reflection, healing, and und...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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59:18
