Keys to Creativity

Keys to Creativity is Lansing’s newest community art center and gallery located in the Lansing Mall near Macy’s. While presenting local artists and traditional mediums such as painting, pottery and photography within the store’s gallery, this project is designed to function differently than traditional art centers or galleries. Keys to Creativity has the advantage of being able to partner with the Lansing Mall for to host various performing arts events such as music, dance, theater, artisan demonstrations, storytelling and young children’s activities. Those events larger than the store can hold will be held in the mall corridor directly in front of the store, or throughout the entire mall concourse. The gallery will have room for two artists to actively paint in front of the general public. We also expect to merchandise such items as coffee mugs, greeting cards, and the like, featuring the original artwork of local artists. The secluded back section of the store will offer classroom space for various activities and group lessons. Artists may use it for studio time, and drop-in classes may be available. There may be music lessons offered, as well as maker projects, and creative art/science classes. Another interest is in cross promoting galleries, events and other art centers located around the greater Lansing area. Keys to Creativity will offer their space for the advancement of these other community and cultural entities in hopes of bringing a greater awareness to the general public of those unique businesses that the mall shoppers might not be aware of. As with all Keys in the Cities projects, we pay special attention to underserved populations and this will be reflected in our community outreach projects and in some of our class offerings. Among the Lansing area businesses and collectives showing interest in partnering with Keys to Creativity in some form are the Arts Council of Greater Lansing, Mid-Michigan Arts Guild, Impression Five, Lansing Art Gallery, Capital Area Blues Society, Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Wharton Center for the Performing Arts, I Dream Dance, Makers Network, Michigan Institute for Contemporary Arts, various theater groups, and over 40 artists, teachers and musicians.