Our Mission

The Greater Flint Arts Council (GFAC) is a non-profit organization whose purpose is "to be a catalyst of, and advocate for, increased artstic and cultural enrichment in our ethnically diverse community." The Council strives to promote and celebrate the arts-building new partnerships and to lay foundations of cultural growth for all the arts in our community. Our primary service area is Genesee County. We also serve communities adjacent to Genesee County that are part of the greater Flint region.

Located in the heart of downtown Flint, GFAC is a regional regranting agency for Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, currently regranting in Genesee and Lapeer Counties. We provide many other services for the arts, from arts information services through newsletters, to providing new artists with both rehearsal space and a community voice heard by everyone up through the national government. GFAC is also a presenter of the arts, producing annually many exhibitions, concerts, festivals and events.

The Greater Flint Arts Council has a long history of offering quality art and cultural programs to the greater Flint community. Through assessment and evaluation, these programs are tailored to the needs of local artists, arts and cultural agencies, educational institutions and members of the community who want to be involved in arts and cultural programs. With the involvement of concerned citizens for the arts in greater Flint, local artists, arts and cultural agencies, educational institutions, a committed Board of Trustees and competent staff, the Greater Flint Arts Council will continue to provide necessary programs and services to our community.

GFAC Membership

Membership offers a newsletter of art-related events, festive opening receptions, Special Events, Discounts on original works of art; and for Artist/Members, a listing in the Artist's Directory, client referrals and exhibition opportunities.

GFAC Members ARE the organization. We welcome you to join, be active and prosper. We cannot accept cash payments online. Please print this form and send it along with your check to the Greater Flint Arts Council, 816 S. Saginaw Street, Flint MI 48502.

2013 Board of Trustees

Greg Fiedler, President and CEO

Greg Fiedler lived a double life before his employment at Greater Flint Arts Council (GFAC). He was both a business executive (general management and personnel management) for 19 years and a performing artist (musical theatre) for 39 years. He dreamed of the day when he could combine his knowledge of the fine arts with his experience in business administration. One day 20 years ago, having lunch with a friend, he discovered an open position at GFAC, applied, and his life was magically transformed (like when an artist creates a new work).

Under his administration, GFAC has experienced remarkable growth in assets and programming. New programs created during his employment include Flint Festival of Quilts, Second Friday Artwalk, Tunes at Noon Festival, and the Parade of Festivals program. As a performing artist Greg has appeared in many leading roles in the greater Flint area including Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar, Japheth in Two by Two, Woody in Finian’s Rainbow, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Mr. Mushnik in Little Shop of Horrors, Emile DeBeque in South Pacific, Miles Gloriosus in A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Frank Butler in Annie Get Your Gun and William Cartwright in The Mystery of Edwin Drood, just to name a few.

Cathy E. Johnson, Program Director

Cathy has 13 years of full time service to GFAC. Her career in the performing arts includes over 40 years in various theatre productions and storytelling. In her 20-plus years as an educator, Cathy has worked with thousands of at-risk infants, toddlers and youth. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Eastern Michigan University.

2013 Sponsors

Without support from many sources, there would be no Greater Flint Arts Council! Thank you to the following sponsors & partners:

Joy Eve Allaun Fund, Baker College, Arthur G. Bishop Charitable Trust, Blackstone's Pub and Grill, Community Foundation of Greater Flint, Cork on Saginaw, Cumulus Broadcasting, Economy Print & Graphics, Fandangles', Financial Plus Federal Credit Union, 501 Grille, Flint-Genesee Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau, Franklin Benefit Solutions, Gazall Lewis and Associates, General RV of Birch Run, Charles Stewart Harding Foundation, HealthPlus of Michigan, William G. and Katherine S. Huber Fund, Stella & Frederick Loeb Charitable Trust, Merit Bank, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, Mott Community College, Ruth Mott Foundation, National Endowment for the Arts, University of Michigan-Flint, White Horse Tavern, Whiting Foundation, and our hundreds of Private & Public members.

Volunteers at the Greater Flint Arts Council

Thanks to our great volunteers, each year we are able to produce five outstanding festivals during the summer months and 12 wonderful gallery Artwalk openings during the 2nd Friday Artwalk. Yet, to keep from wearing out our volunteers, we are always in need of those who are interested in lending a hand. Whether you are in a group or organization, or an individual with a few hours to spare, we’d like to hear from you. Are you interested in becoming a volunteer group leader to help us in organizing any of the volunteer programs or would you like to volunteer for a specific task? Would you like to meet new people and share skills? Would you like to learn Event Planning? We have forms at the Arts Council that you can fill out to let us know your preferences or you can email Cathy E. Johnson, Director of Programs, at cathy@greaterflintartscouncil.org. Find out about the opportunities that are available to you. Call 810.238.6875 for more information.

Arts Council 101

Greg's monthly newsletter ARCHIVE feature is here!

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