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
Most people think creativity is about talent or natural gift, but talented guitarist and composer Colton Weatherston reveals the hidden habits and mindset that turn practice into mastery. In this intimate conversation, Colton shares how a diverse musical background—from classical roots to jazz improvisation and advertising briefs—shaped his unique style and deepened his emotional connection to music.
Discover how trustin...
Most of us underestimate the power of what we carry forward—until a moment like this. Ara Topouzian reflects on the deeply personal significance of Armenian Heritage Month, revealing how music, stories, and traditions serve as the enduring bridge between past and future. In a powerful solo episode, he shares why recognizing what is passed down isn’t just about remembrance—it's about responsibility.
You'll discover ...
Most artists are told to create — but in today’s digital world, that’s only half the story. Building a recognizable brand around your work is now essential for survival. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the noise or unsure how to stand out without sacrificing your authenticity, this episode offers a game-changing perspective.
Join Ara Topouzian as he unpacks the evolving role of artists in an era where trad...
Most orchestras focus on tradition. This one is rewriting the rules — from innovative programming to boosting diversity — all under the leadership of a trailblazing female conductor who's breaking barriers in American music. If you believe live music should reflect the world around us, this episode is your must-listen.
When Nan took the helm of the Michigan Philharmonic in 1999, the orchestra was small, under-att...
On this episode of Michigan Creates, Ara Topouzian sits down with Wayne State University alum and musician Chris Simpson to explore what it really takes to build a sustainable career in today’s music industry.
Chris shares his journey from rock-influenced guitarist to jazz studies major, and ultimately to music business entrepreneur. After realizing that talent alone wasn’t enough, he pivoted to understanding contracts, ...
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 what happens when meaningful creative work goes unseen.
Drawing from conversations with painters, musicians, filmmakers, designers, writers, and nonprofit arts leaders, Ara reflects on a...
In this episode of Michigan Creates, host Ara Topouzian talks with Dorota and Steve Coy, co-founders of ArtClvb, a dynamic Detroit contemporary art space. They discuss how experimental curation, artist-led initiatives, and community support are reshaping how contemporary art is created and experienced in Michigan. Listeners will hear how ArtClvb champions emerging voices and fosters collaboration across artistic disciplines. This c...
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 inclusive leadership, cultural awareness, and the role of arts institutions in shaping empathetic and engaged creative communities.
Michigan Creates is a podcast series highl...
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 exhibitions, offering insight into the evolving role of museums within Michigan’s arts ecosystem.
Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art &am...
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, nurtures talent, and strengthens community connection throughout Michigan.
Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture organization in Michi...
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, and its continued role in Michigan’s artistic community.
Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture organization in M...
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 invite participation, spark dialogue, and connect artists with communities across Michigan.
Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture organization in Michigan. Prod...
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 identity, memory, and creativity as forces for connection and resilience.
Be sure to check out the companion blog post at HyeTimes for more insights and reflections.
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 accessible while strengthening community identity in southeast Michigan.
Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists and art & culture organization in Michigan....
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 education and community engagement — including how art can inspire imagination and connection across generations.
Michigan Creates is a podcast series highlighting artists ...
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 and the Holocaust, Ara shares how music, storytelling, and the arts serve as vessels for remembrance and survival when history alone is not enough. This episode centers on why cultural preservation is an act...
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. Audra shares how The Art Experience supports artists, engages learners of all ages, and builds meaningful creative connections throughout southeast Michigan.
Michigan Creates is a pod...
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 conversation explores how the A2SO balances artistic excellence with audience development, education, and accessibility in today’s evolving cultural environment.
Michigan Creates is a podcast series hi...
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 settings to support healing, reflection, and human connection, and how artists play a meaningful role in clinical and public spaces.
For more info: https://www.michiganmedicine.org/community/arts-health-home
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, artist-centered environment. Monica shares how thoughtful programming, deep listening, and close audience connection shape Kerrytown’s role in Michigan’s live music landscape.
For more information: https://kerrytownconcerthouse.com
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