About Us
CultureSource is a member association for non-profit arts and cultural organizations in Southeast Michigan serving Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe and St. Clair counties. As a regional service organization, we do this work through hosting professional development workshops that grow creative and leadership capacities, presenting programs that provide space for exchanging ideas about arts and culture, and leading initiatives that bring together stakeholders interested in the public accessing creative expression.
Our MISSION is to advance and cultivate creative and cultural expression in Southeast Michigan.
Our VISION is of flourishing Southeast Michigan communities that visibly benefit from a diverse and thriving arts and culture sector, which itself receives indispensable support from CultureSource.
Our GUIDING PRINCIPLES are as follows:
- We are at our best when we work with partners and as connectors and instigators.
- A solid financial core is essential to our capacity to serve.
- We must embrace contemporary culture at its core and edges.
- Cultural organizations of all sizes can be valued as community anchors.
- We speak clearly, respectfully, and inclusively.
- We have a responsibility to elevate voices historically oppressed by privilege.
- We believe creativity is fundamental.
History
Founded in 2007 as the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan, on January 1, 2013, we became CultureSource, the source for arts and culture in Southeast Michigan. With its establishment, CultureSource filled a void that major organizations identified in the region based on shared needs for capacity building, advocacy and marketing resources, welcoming small and mid-size organizations into the conversation. Quickly, CultureSource grew from 32 member organizations to 72, now serving over 221 annually. In 2022 CultureSource acquired the national arts consulting nonprofit EmcArts, with the aim of incorporating their unique models of adaptive changemaking into our programmatic offering.
Supporting Documents
- GuideStar Profile
- IRS Form 990 — 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
- Strategy Summary — 2025, a page from our strategy guidebook, helping staff and supporters discern and prioritize what we do.
- Equity Practice — Provocations and principles that guides our team’s exploration of cultural competency.
- Statement on Culture, developed and maintained with our young leaders group, CultureMakers.
Contact
Address: 2937 E. Grand Blvd., Suite 315, Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 831-1151
Email: info@culturesource.org
Staff: Meet the Team
Plan Your Visit
Parking:
The Chroma building has implemented a new parking policy for the gated lot, which LAZ Parking strictly enforces. The daily rate is $8.80, but an hourly rate of $4.33 is available for 1-2 hours. After 5 PM, a $5 evening rate applies (max $14 + service fee). Payment is made via QR code on the lot or inside the building, or in advance online. Unpaid parking will result in a $95 fine, mailed to the registered vehicle owner by LAZ Parking.
If you prefer street parking, there are metered and unmetered spots along the surrounding streets: E. Grand Blvd., Beaubien, Milwaukee, and Brush.
Arrival:
If you are meeting one of the team, please wait in the lobby. One of us will be down to greet you at the specified time.
Press
Press Inquiries
Contact our Associate Director of Strategic Marketing, Matt Chung, at mchung@culturesource.org
Stay in Touch
Subscribe to the CultureSource newsletter and follow us on social media
Download Our Media Kit
Download our logos, images and other brand assets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CultureSource?
CultureSource is a nonprofit member association for arts and cultural organizations in Southeast Michigan. Founded in 2007 as the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan, we became CultureSource on January 1, 2013. We were created to fill a void that major organizations identified in the region — a shared need for capacity building, advocacy, and marketing resources — and we were among the first to welcome small and mid-size organizations into that conversation. We’ve grown from 32 founding members to more than 200 organizations served annually.
Where is CultureSource located?
Our office is at 2937 E. Grand Blvd., Suite 315, Detroit, MI 48202.
- Phone: (313) 831-1151
- Email: info@culturesource.org
What counties does CultureSource serve?
CultureSource serves arts and cultural organizations across seven counties in Southeast Michigan: Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, and St. Clair.
What is CultureSource's mission?
Our mission is to advance and cultivate creative and cultural expression in Southeast Michigan.
Our vision is of flourishing Southeast Michigan communities that visibly benefit from a diverse and thriving arts and culture sector, which itself receives indispensable support from CultureSource.
What does CultureSource do?
CultureSource strengthens the arts and culture sector through four main areas:
- Advocacy — We champion arts organizations’ goals in both philanthropic and legislative circles, publish policy resources, and host strategy sessions on arts funding and civic engagement.
- Insights — We initiate regional research to support data-driven decision-making, and share findings with members and the broader field through newsletters, events, and our website.
- Networking — We bring people, organizations, and ideas together through convenings, biannual member meetings, monthly roundtables, and discussions with national experts and regional thought leaders.
- Capacity Building — We provide access to professional development, grant opportunities, leadership training, and tools to help organizations work more effectively.
What programs does CultureSource offer?
- Bloomberg Arts Internship — In partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, this fully funded eight-week summer program places rising Detroit high school seniors in paid internships at member organizations. Interns receive career exposure, college-prep experiences, and curriculum covering writing, leadership, financial literacy, and more.
- Consulting and Change Management Services
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- Customized programs and consulting that equip arts leaders and artists to adapt, collaborate, and thrive through change. Designed for nonprofit leaders, artists, arts administrators, and cultural workers at every stage of their careers.
- Services include: Executive Coaching, Strategic Planning, Staff Training, and Organizational Strategy. Additional information at https://culturesource.org/consulting/
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- LearningSource — Launched in 2025 with support from Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Digital Accelerator, LearningSource is a cloud-based learning management system offering asynchronous and facilitated learning opportunities for arts and culture leaders.
- Grantmaking
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- CultureSource administers multiple grantmaking programs each year, impacting hundreds of organizations and artists across the region.
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- This includes grants to artists and organizations. Additional information can be found at https://culturesource.org/grantmaking/.
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Research
- To help identify and embrace contemporary culture at its core and edges, CultureSource provides timely and relevant research to understand the core being of our field as well as emerging trends and new advancements.
- We regularly engage in practices of research and learning in order to build field knowledge and enhance our work of convening and grantmaking. In our portfolio of research activities, we are part of a research lab and have partnerships with arts research firms locally and nationally.
- Research Summit — An annual gathering of research experts from across the country to advance thinking about arts and culture.
- Additional information can be found at: https://culturesource.org/research/
Who can become a CultureSource member?
Membership is open to arts and cultural organizations operating in Southeast Michigan. When an organization joins, its entire community — staff, board, and volunteers — becomes part of the CultureSource coalition.
What are the benefits of membership?
Members receive:
- Access to exclusive grant opportunities not available to non-members
- Free job postings on CultureSource’s widely-viewed job board (non-members pay $25 per posting)
- A listing in the member directory and interactive map
- Features in the monthly Member Roundup newsletter
- Invitations to member meetings, roundtables, and convenings
- Early access to regional research and sector insights
How do I join CultureSource or renew my membership?
Complete an online application at culturesource.org/join-or-renew. For questions, contact director of external affairs Kim Howard at khoward@culturesource.org.
Does CultureSource offer grants?
Yes. CultureSource administers multiple grantmaking programs and curates information about external funding opportunities. Visit culturesource.org/grantmaking to see current opportunities.
What is fiscal sponsorship?
CultureSource offers fiscal sponsorship, which allows artists and arts projects that are not incorporated as nonprofits to receive tax-deductible donations under CultureSource’s 501(c)(3) status. This makes philanthropic funding accessible to emerging artists and projects. Learn more at culturesource.org/fiscal-sponsorship.
Does CultureSource offer consulting services?
Yes. In 2022, CultureSource acquired EmcArts, a national arts consulting nonprofit known for its models of adaptive changemaking. CultureSource now offers consulting and change management services designed for nonprofit leaders, artists, arts administrators, and cultural workers at all career stages. Learn more at culturesource.org/consulting.
How can I stay informed?
- Subscribe to our newsletter at culturesource.org/subscribe
- Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn
- Browse the Resource Library and event calendar.
How can I support CultureSource?
We welcome financial contributions from individuals, businesses, and foundations who believe in a thriving arts and culture sector in Southeast Michigan. Donations help us sustain programs, support our member organizations, and advocate for the creative community across the region.
Make a donation through our online form.
How do I reach CultureSource for press inquiries?
Contact Matt Chung, associate director of strategic marketing, at mchung@culturesource.org. Media kits including logos and brand assets are available upon request.