Our Mission, Vision, Values & Goals (Adopted November, 2024)

Our Mission:

To inspire awareness, appreciation and passion for Michigan’s history, stories, culture and environment through the arts.

Our Vision:

As a nationally distinguished sculpture park, we will continue to grow, maintain and protect the collections; provide enriching learning opportunities; engage every person who experiences the Art Park; and steward our natural, human and economic resources.

Our Values:

Artistic Excellence

We believe in artwork that exemplifies creative expression and innovation, provides fresh insight and is of the highest quality and significance.

Artistic Engagement

We encourage artistic creativity and dialogue among artists and audiences that will foster lifelong relationships with the arts.

Learning

We believe the arts can be a springboard for enhanced learning and are integral to the holistic wellness of every individual and community.

Inclusion

We welcome and involve people of all abilities and backgrounds in our leadership, collections, audiences and programs and share social and cultural perspectives beyond a traditional narrative.

Stewardship

We create a sense of place through active stewardship of resources and thoughtful care of the collections.

Goals:

  1. Ensure the SUSTAINABILTY and GROWTH of the Art Park (organization)
  2. Ensure the Art Park (organization) has the CAPACITY to meet visitor and stakeholder expectations
  3. Strengthen the IMPACT of the Art Park (organization) by becoming a hub for community engagement and programming
  4. Improve the STEWARDSHIP of the collections through documentation and preservation, with thoughtful selection of new works
  5. Commit to comprehensive INCLUSION through improved programming, accessibility and organizational opportunities

Financials:

Plans:

Michigan Legacy Art Park opened to the public on September 10, 1995, after years of concept development and site planning. The first installations of art were by artists Bill Allen, Lois Beardslee, Gary Kulak, Michael McGillis and David Barr. The original goals of this new sculpture park were to:

  • Exhibit contemporary works inspired by Michigan history;
  • Provide a forum for high quality and diverse arts presentations;
  • Engage and educate the public through interactive visitor projects and artist residency programs;
  • Support schools through the development of programs that integrate art into a variety of subjects.

Current Programs and Activities:

  • Exhibits and maintains outdoor sculptures.
  • Temporary sculpture exhibition near the entrance and along the accessible trail to the Discovery Grove and Amphitheater.
  • Summer Sounds, a concert series that has presented diverse musical genres since the Art Park’s beginning.
  • Education Programs including field trips, in-school workshops/residencies, Looking to Learn materials for teachers and families.
  • Legacy Gala, the mission-driven signature fundraiser, earns 30% of the annual operating fund.
  • Fairies & Forts is a family event to kick-off the start of summer and features hiking, art activities, live music and refreshments.
  • Programs and activities for adults and families.

Accomplishments:

  • Increased capacity of the organization by hiring a new Director of Programs and Public Engagement, Community Collaboration and Environmental Art Coordinator, and a Conservation and Collections Manager in 2024.
  • The Art Park completed the Conservation Assessment for Preservation (CAP) program in 2021-2022 through the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
  • The Art Park completed the Community Engagement Museum Assessment Program (CEMAP) in 2023-2024 through the American Alliance of Museums and Institute of Museum and Library Services.
  • A master plan for the physical development of MLAP was completed in 2012. The Art Access for All Campaign raised nearly $380,000 by June 2016 to implement the master plan. The following capital improvements have since been made with the support of many generous donors:
    • Purchased an all-terrain, six-passenger vehicle to allow access to the upper trails for people with limited mobility and to aid in park maintenance.
    • Built an ADA compliant arrival area and 1/4-mile trail from the parking lot to the amphitheater
    • Rebuilt the amphitheater featuring a new deck and outdoor furniture
    • Expanded and named the Mo and Linda White Discovery Grove—the art education, exploration, and exhibition area for children
    • Installed Communications Vine, a sculpture by Eric Troffkin
    • Commissioned and installed six new artist-designed benches
    • Built a garage to store for the ATV, outdoor furniture and other Art Park tools and materials
  • Held the first field trip for students with disabilities on May 24, 2016 in partnership with Arts for All, TBAISD and TCAPS.
First time visitors on the ADA accessible trail. Photo Credit: John Bullington

First time visitors on the ADA accessible trail. Photo Credit: John Bullington