Business Details
48 Years
experience
Your Performing Arts Booking & Development Partner
Since 1978, Great Lakes Performing Artist Associates has been dedicated to advancing the careers of performing artists in the Great Lakes region. Our mission focuses on connecting talented artists with regional presenters while making live performances accessible to diverse audiences. We provide comprehensive support including booking services, technical assistance, and career development programs for emerging, developing, and established artists. Our educational outreach initiatives prioritize underserved communities, cultivating future audiences through masterclasses, assemblies, and community performances. With a proven track record of nurturing artistic talent and fostering cultural growth, we maintain partnerships with venues ranging from small community centers to major cultural institutions.Our annual artist retreat and regional conferences offer unique professional development opportunities, while our livestream capabilities expand access to live performances. Backed by government grants, foundation support, and individual donors, we specialize in supporting artists who traditional agencies might overlook. Our team combines decades of experience in arts administration, education, and performance to deliver reliable, high-quality services to both artists and presenters.
Services
Artist Booking
Career Development
Educational Outreach
Community Concerts
Livestream Performances
Details
- Year established: 1978
Highlights and features
- We offer affordable booking options for regional presenters across multiple genres
- Our educational outreach programs serve underserved communities through live performances
- We specialize in supporting artists traditional agencies might overlook
- We provide comprehensive career development services including annual artist retreats
- Our team combines decades of experience in arts administration and performance
Associations and certifications
- National Endowment for the Arts
What people say
First-class performers
Beautifully handled details
Critical support for artists
Services
Artist Booking
We connect regional presenters with high-caliber performing artists across multiple genres. Our booking services include contract management, budget coordination, and promotional material support. This service enables venues to access quality performances while helping artists expand their professional opportunities.
Career Development
We provide professional development resources including marketing materials creation, conference representation, and career guidance. Our annual artist retreat offers specialized training and networking opportunities. This service helps artists at all career stages enhance their professional capabilities and industry connections.
Educational Outreach
Our Caravan program delivers live performances, masterclasses, and interactive experiences to schools and community organizations. We focus on underserved areas to cultivate future audiences. This service combines performance opportunities with educational value, making the arts accessible to diverse populations.
Community Concerts
We organize neighborhood concerts that bring live performances directly to local communities. These events create accessible cultural experiences through in-person performances. This service strengthens community engagement by making quality arts programming available in various neighborhood settings.
Livestream Performances
We facilitate live-streamed performances from artists' locations or venues to remote audiences. This service expands performance reach while maintaining artistic quality. It provides flexible access to cultural programming for audiences unable to attend in-person events.
People
Amanda Stanger-Read
Executive Director
Executive Director with extensive dance and arts administration experience. Former university instructor and studio owner. Holds Columbia University and University of Michigan degrees. 20+ years in arts education and management.
Kay Otto
Board President
Retired speech pathologist with 37 years healthcare experience. Longtime Ann Arbor resident. Advocate for live music education. Led family music activities and community arts initiatives.
Deborah Katz
Board Secretary
Retired music educator with 40+ years public school experience. Former Kennedy Center fellow. Led district music programs and international arts education initiatives. Active synagogue choir member.
John Floyd
Board Treasurer
Financial professional with 30+ years nonprofit and government experience. Former economics professor. Holds degrees from Oberlin College, University of Michigan, and DePaul University. Specializes in budgeting and financial control.
Linda Grekin
Board Member
Educator and writer with arts integration expertise. Holds University of Michigan degrees in journalism and curriculum development. Published author of poetry and educational books. Active in local arts community.
Questions
Who do you represent as a nonprofit arts organization?
We represent performing artists in the Great Lakes region at all career stages, from emerging to established professionals across multiple genres.
What types of performance venues do you work with?
We partner with small to mid-sized venues including community centers, libraries, museums, universities, and regional cultural organizations throughout the Great Lakes region.
How does your organization fund its programs?
We receive support from government grants, foundation funding, individual donations, and partnerships with cultural institutions like the National Endowment for the Arts.
What educational programs do you offer to communities?
Our Caravan program provides school assemblies, masterclasses, and interactive performances focusing on underserved communities to cultivate future arts audiences.
How can artists join your booking roster?
Artists can audition annually before a panel of industry professionals. We prioritize artists committed to education and community outreach in the Great Lakes region.
