[bratassociation]

I'm a graphic designer and fine artist who recently graduated from college. I live in Northwest Indiana where it's a little bleak. I have an opportunity to move to MI with a few friends who are willing to help me get an apartment and set me up with a job in a pub or brewery. But I'd rather get a job working in the creative field. I can't find much information on creative job outlook for the areas which my friends are looking to move to - Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor. And I can't tell by city statistic data if its an area where people are interested in art and culture.

Northwest Indiana doesn't have many opportunities for what I'm in to, but Chicago is a stone's throw away. And that city has plenty of design and art jobs. Knowing that Chicago is my safety net makes me think twice about moving to MI where I know nothing of jobs or opportunities.

Also, I'd like to know what its like in those cities. What are the "vibes" the city gives off? Is it a good place for more "alternative" lifestyles and ways of thinking? Is it a good place for a 20-something year old to have a stable future?

[animatedmartian]

Ann Arbor is a college town and is pretty much the most liberal-young people oriented city in the state of Michigan. It also has the lowest unemployment rate in Michigan if I recall. It's not quite an urban playground like Chicago (far from it, in fact), but there's enough to do that it attracts 20-somethings from all over. It's only an hour away from Detroit which has a growing creative job market.

I definitely wouldn't be able to say that you'd be able to find a job in Michigan as quickly as you would in Chicago, but I know you'd be able to find one.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by bratassociation

I'm a graphic designer and fine artist who recently graduated from college. I live in Northwest Indiana where it's a little bleak. I have an opportunity to move to MI with a few friends who are willing to help me get an apartment and set me up with a job in a pub or brewery. But I'd rather get a job working in the creative field. I can't find much information on creative job outlook for the areas which my friends are looking to move to - Kalamazoo, Grand Rapids, and Ann Arbor. And I can't tell by city statistic data if its an area where people are interested in art and culture.

Northwest Indiana doesn't have many opportunities for what I'm in to, but Chicago is a stone's throw away. And that city has plenty of design and art jobs. Knowing that Chicago is my safety net makes me think twice about moving to MI where I know nothing of jobs or opportunities.

Also, I'd like to know what its like in those cities. What are the "vibes" the city gives off? Is it a good place for more "alternative" lifestyles and ways of thinking? Is it a good place for a 20-something year old to have a stable future?

Grand Rapids has a huge design community. A lot of it started by servicing the big office furniture companies (Herman Miller, Haworth, Steelcase) but has spilled into other industries. A lot of the firms here now service clients all over the country. Kendall College of Art & Design is located right in the middle of downtown.

Design West Michigan and AIGA West Michigan are two good places to start some inquiries.

Design West Michigan | Design West Michigan explores design as an economic building block for the region.
AIGA West Michigan - Home

Rapid Growth is a good weekly resource too for the local artist/design/entrepreneur community:

http://www.rapidgrowthmedia.com/

[Nukem]

Holy ****! Michigan sounds too good to be true! I've been looking at different states to move to & so far everything I've seen & heard about Grand Rapids has been positive. I used to be an artist, it was a big thing back home in CT. being near New York City. I moved down South it's been horrible here, I've had no support for the past 20 years & I eventually gave up on it. There is no creative atmosphere here at all & the people couldn't care less about art. Some of the people I've met look down on it & even tried to sabotage me & make me fail.

Out of the states I'm looking into, Michigan is kicking all kinds of ass! Maybe I can get back into it if I move to Grand Rapids. Not sure if I'd care about it anymore but if the atmosphere was right ya never know! It used to be the most important thing to me but the people of East TN. sucked the life out of me.

[detwahDJ]

West Michigan is called it's "art coast" and the market is highly geared to tourism. The artists are self-employed or belong to associations and galleries. There is really too much to post. Just google west mi art scene for lots of scattered info.
Art Galleries Along The Lake Michigan Shoreline

Grand Rapids specifically:
Artists & Entries - List - Apply to take part in the world's largest art prize. Information, applications and contest details.
Kendall is the the training ground for art/design "careers" - might be a contact source of information.
Welcome to Kendall+

Last time I was in the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (several years ago), they had a huge Frankenthaler in the lobby.
Kalamazoo Institute of Arts anchors vibrant West Michigan art scene - Midwest Guest

The "fine art" and crafts scene is large, but you mentioned "jobs" - that's something I can't speak to. I would check with Kendall (may have employment data - especially for students and graduates).

[1Prairiegirl]

Originally Posted by Nukem

Holy ****! Michigan sounds too good to be true! I've been looking at different states to move to & so far everything I've seen & heard about Grand Rapids has been positive. I used to be an artist, it was a big thing back home in CT. being near New York City. I moved down South it's been horrible here, I've had no support for the past 20 years & I eventually gave up on it. There is no creative atmosphere here at all & the people couldn't care less about art. Some of the people I've met look down on it & even tried to sabotage me & make me fail.

Out of the states I'm looking into, Michigan is kicking all kinds of ass! Maybe I can get back into it if I move to Grand Rapids. Not sure if I'd care about it anymore but if the atmosphere was right ya never know! It used to be the most important thing to me but the people of East TN. sucked the life out of me.

x2 I could have written this post! I just thought it was the economy overall! We have visited MI every year for the past 3! I love your state and if DH could find work there...well we would be there! I have family that lived in K-zoo for 3 generations and I never realized the art community there! I also have family in Flint and Warren...gee! Unfortunately no family on the west side...which is my favorite!
Nukem I dont know how close you are to the west side of NC but isnt there a large creative culture there?