What Is MICA?
The Michigan Institute for Contemporary Art (MICA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that serves as a catalyst for community development through quality arts programming. MICA's arts programming includes MICA Gallery, Lansing JazzFest, Michigan Mosaic Music Festival, Old Town BluesFest, and Burning Desires.
We Love Old Town
We're glad to have our president, Terry Terry, included in this video about Old Town Lansing's creative impact (with thanks to Creative Impact Michigan). Old Town is a great environment for creativity and the arts.
Upcoming Events
March 2012
Kathleen Coe: A RetrospectiveExperience this retrospective of the work of Kathleen Coe, a lifelong Lansing resident. The show will be open March 2-28, with the First Sunday Gallery Walk reception held Sunday, March 4 from 12-4 pm.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Old Town Stomp Volunteer/Fundraiser PartyThe annual MICA Old Town Stomp party salutes the wonderful volunteers who make our free community events possible. Join us at the Grand Café/Sir Pizza, 201 E. Grand River Ave., Lansing to kick off the 2012 season right with great music (The Alligators, Jeff Shoup Trio, and Brenda Loomis)—and the 2-5-1 Volunteer Awards! $10 donation at the door. 2011 festival volunteers attend free. All proceeds will enhance the Lansing JazzFest, Michigan Mosaic Music Festival and Old Town BluesFest.
April 2012
Grant GuimondIf you seek beauty, you will find it at the MICA Gallery April exhibition, works on canvas by one of Lansing's truly great artists, Grant Guimond. The First Sunday opening, April 1, features an artist's reception from noon to 4 pm, your chance to see the artist together with his most recent work. The show runs through April 30, 2012.
August 3-4, 2012
Lansing JazzFest
The Lansing JazzFest is a two-day free music festival that will bring national, regional, and local acts to an audience of 15,000+ people from across Michigan and nearby states. The festival will take place in the streets of Old Town with vendors lining the streets offering ethnic food, beverages, art, clothing, and crafts, and nearby galleries and boutiques opening their doors during festival hours.
August 31-September 2, 2012
Michigan Mosaic Music FestivalMichigan Mosaic Music Festival brings LABOR Day weekend to life with music, cultural dance, fireworks, dragon boat races, car show, motorcycle show, the Mayor's Labor Walk, and more!
September 21-22, 2012
Old Town BluesFest
The Old Town BluesFest is a two-day free music festival bringing local, regional, and national blues acts to an audience of 15,000+ people from across the region. The streets of Old Town will be filled with musicians, festival-goers, and vendors.
February 2013
Burning Desires: An Afternoon of Love Poetry
MICA Gallery celebrates Valentine's Day with this lovely performance, featuring emcee d'amour Samuel Mills, puppeteer Fred Engelgau, and poets Etta Abrahams, Kate Butler, Elaina Earl, Carol Jo Kanners, Robert Rentschler, Ruelaine Stokes, Leonora Smith and more! Doors open at noon and words start at 1:00pm. Download the poster (PDF) here.
News & Releases
Congratulations to Old Town Lansing on National Award!
ii:V:I Community Turnaround Award Winners Announced
Old Town Stomp Features ii:V:I Community Turnaround Awards
19th Annual Burning Desires: Love Poetry in Old Town
"American Made" Art Show Opens Sunday with Local Stories
Old Town Lansing Welcomes "American Made" Art Show
Exciting New Addition to the Outdoor Music Scene: Mi.FUNK 2010
John Stowell Master Class & Concert
The Old Town Stomp: Music, Food & Festivities!
18th Annual Burning Desires: Erotic Love Poetry and More
Lansing JazzFest Receives NEA Grant: Heading into 2010 on a High Note!
Welcoming Arts Organizations to Lansing's Old Town
Galleries and Art Events Prove to Be Economic Drivers in Lansing
Old Town Arts Supporter and Biggest Booster Recognized as 2008 Outstanding Small Business
Festivities for Revitalization
OTBADA Congratulates Old Town's CiesaDesign on Governor's Award
Art Exhibit Energizes Arts Culture in Lansing
Upcoming Event Addresses Timely Social Issues Through Art
Old Town BluesFest Breaks All Records
