Director of Education at Midland Center for the Arts Joins Consortium of Industry Professionals Representing Michigan Cultural Institutions

Offering a welcoming environment for the programs and activities on the stage and in the museums at the Center for every patron is something the Center staff continually works to improve.

Midland Center is proud of the election of Director of Education Jennifer Kanyo, as a new board member to the statewide consortium of professionals representing accessibility among Michigan’s cultural institutions. As a board member, Kanyo will serve as communications chair, responsible for maintaining the alliance’s website, newsletter, calendars and social media accounts.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on the board for the Michigan Alliance for Cultural Accessibility (MACA),” said Jennifer Kanyo. “Cultural institutions provide such a rich source of connection, meaning-making, creativity and community.  It is crucial that we make every effort to promote the resources on accessibility in our state’s cultural institutions for residents and visitors. MACA provides a platform for institutions to work together and to have a collective impact on the communities throughout Michigan.”

Leading the development and execution of educational programs at the Center for both the A.B. Dow Museum of Science and Art and Heritage Park historical museums, Kanyo establishes the visual art, science and history programming at the Center facilities. From field trips to camps, classes, school visits and more, Kanyo works with more than 50 school districts and thousands of students each year.

The Michigan Alliance for Cultural Accessibility was founded in 2016 to provide a forum for sharing best practices, ideas, and resources, focused on making cultural institutions more welcoming and inclusive. The organization was founded by anchor cultural institutions in Southeast Michigan, such as, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, Arab American National Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit Symphony Orchestra and The Henry Ford. MACA has since expanded statewide with members working within museums, visual and performing arts, libraries, education and advocacy.

“Ensuring a great patron experience for all of our guests is one of our top priorities at the Center,” said Midland Center for the Arts President and CEO, Terri Trotter. “We are focused on providing access to all individuals seeking to experience the performance and museum programming and Jenni’s election to the MACA board of directors is an honor.  We are excited she will represent the Great Lakes Bay Region.”

To learn more about the Michigan Association for Cultural Accessibility, please visit miculturalaccess.org.