Community Links
About Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo is the fifth largest city in Michigan with a county population of more than 240,000 residents. The city is located midway between Chicago and Detroit, 140 miles from each and 2.5 hours driving time on I-94. Kalamazoo is characterized by a historic downtown with adjacent suburbs and neighborhoods. The performing arts are alive and thriving in Kalamazoo. In addition to events at WMU and Kalamazoo College, there are numerous commercial and community performance organizations in Southwest Michigan. The Detroit and Chicago metropolitan areas are within easy access. Kalamazoo is just 40 minutes from Lake Michigan’s beaches and only three to four hours from Michigan’s ski country. Excellent local skiing is only 30 minutes away.
For more information about Kalamazoo, check out
Events happening around town, information on City services and a comprehensive Business Directory.
Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated
Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated (DKI) is a private, non-profit organization. In conjunction with its affiliate organizations (see below), it manages a full range of activities to benefit downtown Kalamazoo. The organization’s mission is to create a dynamic and vibrant, 24-hour downtown that ensures an economic environment which is attractive to residents, businesses, consumers and visitors alike, both now and in the future.
DKI acts as a private, nonprofit corporation that works with both the public and private sectors in preserving and enhancing the economic health of Kalamazoo's downtown area and, in turn, the Kalamazoo community.
Cultural Opportunities
Kalamazoo offers an abundant array of cultural organizations and events:
Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo
The Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo (ACGK) is an organization that serves the arts community. A great deal of its time is spent in one-on-one meetings with Council members – with artists, advising them on how to write grants, or with organization leaders, helping them plan new programs. Because of its links within the community, the Council make connections that bring people and resources together.
ACGK networks with other community organizations, including those in education, human services and economic development. In this way, it make the arts part of community dialogue.
Black Arts and Cultural Center
Established in 1985 by concerned community volunteers working together with an idea: Promoting local awareness of Black culture. Kalamazoo's first Black Arts Festival became a reality that year resulting in the birth of the Black Arts and Cultural Center, incorporated since 1986.
Each summer, the Center sponsors the Black Arts Festival, a week-long festival held in various Kalamazoo locations. The Festival culminates with three days of music, food and other entertainment in Bronson Park.
The mission of Education for the Arts is to enhance arts education for all students in Kalamazoo County by making dance, literary arts, media arts, music, theatre and visual arts an essential part of comprehensive education.
The Epic Center was conceived to support and celebrate the arts and to act as home and focal point for the entire arts community. The four-story building houses two modern performance spaces, offices for 11 cultural organizations, a community box office, a restaurant and a retail store. The Epic’s architecture and design complement the works of art shown in its spaces. The Epic Center’s permanent collection is displayed in the public areas and comprises work by artists from Greater Kalamazoo.
Fontana Chamber Arts is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the presentation of quality traditional and nontraditional chamber music performances, community outreach and collaboration with other arts presenters.
More than a single event, The Gilmore is an organization that fosters and supports a passion for keyboard music and artistry. Through a world-class festival, noncompetitive artist awards, year-round education programs and community activities, The Gilmore makes great music a treasure for everyone to share.
From 1929 to the present The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre has been at the forefront of community theatres in America. From its beginning it has been praised by the public and its peers as one of the outstanding examples of just what can be done with a "Civic" or community theatre.
In its long history, The Civic has managed to survive the Depression, become a major cultural institution in southwest Michigan and is still a leader in the ranks of community theatre. It still ranks as the nation’s third largest community theater.
From its beginning in 1924, the KIA has offered art classes to the whole community and a place for the enjoyment of the visual arts through exhibitions, lectures, special events and a permanent collection. The KIA's mission has been to cultivate the creation and appreciation of the visual arts for the communities of West Michigan.
The museum's 10 galleries showcase outstanding temporary exhibitions and portions of the KIA's significant permanent collection.
The Kalamazoo Valley Museum preserves and interprets the heritage of Southwest Michigan and provides life-long learning opportunities to engage children and adults in history, science, and technology.
The Museum seeks to develop cultural, historical and scientific literacy through innovative exhibits, special exhibitions, planetarium programs, educational programs and weekend family events.
The appointment of Raymond Harvey as Music Director in 1999 marked the beginning of a new era for the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. The subscription series at Miller Auditorium, annual holiday presentations, chamber orchestra concerts, free summer park concerts, and numerous educational programs provide the core of Kalamazoo's musical life. Symphony musicians teach privately, in local schools, at Western Michigan University and at Kalamazoo College, perform in chamber groups, at church services, and in other orchestras around the region.
Wellspring / Cori Terry & Dancers
Wellspring/Cori Terry & Dancers is southwest Michigan's only professional modern dance company. Founded in 1981 by dancer and choreographer, Cori Terry, Wellspring presents performances featuring works choreographed by Ms. Terry, Artistic Associate Michael Miller and guest artists.
The company has a deeply-rooted commitment to providing positive experiences and role models for children and adults of all ages, races, backgrounds and lifestyles. Each year, Wellspring presents a variety of outreach programming aimed at bringing modern dance to new audiences, with a special emphasis on working with minority, low-income and at-risk students.
