About
Mission
Beacon Arts Michigan engages premier artists to perform in rural communities across Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas, fostering artistic exchange, providing educational opportunities for young artists, commissioning new works, celebrating regional artistic heritage, and strengthening community engagement through the arts.
Vision
Beacon Arts Michigan exists to enrich rural communities across Michigan by presenting high-quality artistic performances and educational outreach. Rooted in a legacy of regional chamber music and community engagement, the organization brings premier artists to underserved areas in both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas. Through collaborative programming—including concerts, youth education, artist residencies, and commissioned works—Beacon Arts Michigan fosters artistic exchange, celebrates Michigan’s cultural diversity, and strengthens connections between artists and communities. Its purpose is to ensure that the transformative power of the arts remains accessible, relevant, and deeply rooted in regional heritage.
Beacon Arts Michigan continues the work of visionary leaders who brought chamber music to the Upper Peninsula starting in 1968. Under the leadership of Emily Olson, President and Artistic Director, the organization expands this legacy with a focus on accessibility, collaboration, and innovation. Emily’s extensive experience in classical performance, nonprofit leadership, and therapeutic music underscores her commitment to using the arts as a bridge between communities.
Beacon Arts Michigan is not only preserving a treasured artistic heritage—it is cultivating a vibrant future for the arts across Michigan.
Chamber Concerts
Beacon Arts Michigan partners with community organizations to present high-quality performances by professional artists from Southeast Michigan. These collaborations build on existing community traditions while introducing new artistic voices and expanding regional access to live chamber music. Honoring the legacy of historic concert series such as the Manistique Community Concerts and Strings on the Bay in Escanaba, Beacon Arts Michigan undertakes archival projects and storytelling initiatives to preserve and celebrate each region’s rich musical heritage. These efforts ensure that the contributions of past generations continue to inspire and inform future artistic endeavors.
Educational Outreach
Through workshops, masterclasses, and school visits, Beacon Arts Michigan engages youth and community members in meaningful music education experiences. These programs are designed to inspire the next generation of musicians, foster artistic curiosity, and strengthen connections between artists and local schools.
Community Engagement
Beacon Arts Michigan facilitates artist residencies and collaborative projects with civic and community arts organizations. These initiatives promote cross-sector partnerships, encourage creative exchange, and support the development of locally rooted cultural programming.
Commissioning New Works
Beacon Arts Michigan actively commissions new artistic works that reflect the diverse cultural landscapes of Michigan. These commissions prioritize projects that honor regional stories and heritage, ensuring that new creations resonate deeply with local audiences. By supporting the development of innovative new works, Beacon Arts Michigan not only contributes to the contemporary arts scene but also cultivates artistic growth and provides unique cultural experiences for communities across the state.
History
Beacon Arts Michigan builds upon the enduring legacy of the Manistique Community Concerts, founded in 1968 by Dr. Robert and Mary King, Marion Orr, and Vesta Fyvie. This grassroots initiative brought classical chamber music to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, fostering a tradition of artistic excellence and community engagement. The series expanded to Escanaba through Strings on the Bay, led by esteemed string musicians and educators Arol and Dudley Beck. While the Manistique Community Concerts and Strings on the Bay remained primarily a classical chamber music series, the programming evolved to include jazz, sacred music, and youth performances over the decades, reflecting the region’s diverse musical interests.
In 1994, leadership transitioned to Paul Lundin, a native of Escanaba and accomplished violinist, who elevated the series by engaging artists from the Superior String Alliance, TrueNorth String Quartet, and professional symphony orchestras from Southeast Michigan. His vision brought new energy and expanded artistic reach to the concert series. Further growth occurred in 2015 with the addition of performances at the Erickson Center for the Arts in Curtis, MI, broadening access to high-quality chamber music in the region.
Beacon Arts Michigan honors this legacy by sustaining these valued partnerships and extending the concert series model to additional rural communities throughout Michigan. Through collaboration, education, and cultural celebration, Beacon Arts Michigan ensures that the spirit of regional artistry remains vibrant and accessible—preserving a rich heritage while cultivating future engagement statewide.
Paul Lundin, August 2025
Image Credit: Dan Williams