About Us
About Crooked Tree Arts Center
Overview
Founded in 1971, Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) has grown from its roots in Petoskey into a vibrant cultural institution serving Northern Michigan through its campuses in Petoskey and Traverse City. Our mission is to create ways for people to connect, learn, and grow through the arts. Through art classes, performances, lectures, exhibitions, a renowned School of Ballet, and so much more, CTAC connects people and ideas to foster learning, personal growth, and creativity.
Our galleries are always free and open to the public!
CTAC receives support from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.
View our Cultural Data Project Funder's Report for MCACA (PDF)
Our Community
Every year, over 35,000 individuals engage with our programs across both locations, with more than 3,000 participants actively involved in classes, workshops, and events. Of that, around 1,500 of the participants were students, inspiring the next generation of artists. Additionally, our reach extends beyond our physical campuses, impacting the broader Northern Michigan community through outreach initiatives and collaborative projects.
Continued Stewardship
In 2023, CTAC embarked on a comprehensive strategic planning process, developing a Strategic Vision for 2024-2029. The plan outlines key areas of focus to guide the organization’s impact over the next five years and beyond.
Through these strategic areas of focus, CTAC aims to strengthen its role as a cultural hub in Northern Michigan, fostering creativity, collaboration, and community engagement.
- Impact & Engagement
Through locally relevant and educational art exhibitions, classes, and events, Crooked Tree Arts Center will foster deeper connections—both to ideas and to one another. These experiences promote personal growth and a stronger sense of community.
- Quality & Excellence
Crooked Tree Arts Center is a regional leader in the arts, consistently offering outstanding programs and opportunities. Our programming is recognized across the state, and our artists and performers work nationwide and beyond. We remain committed to investing in and strengthening the artistic excellence of all our programs.
- Development & Stewardship
Crooked Tree Arts Center is made possible thanks to the generosity of our members, donors, and supporters. A strategic focus on stewarding relationships from stakeholders will allow us to continue to provide affordable or free programs and continue our mission for years to come.
- Visitor Experience
We are committed to making our physical and digital spaces welcoming, easy to navigate, and inclusive. Ongoing improvements in signage, communication, accessibility, and visitor comfort ensure that everyone feels at home at Crooked Tree Arts Center.
- Facilities & Cultural Assets
Crooked Tree Arts Center’s spaces are cultural cornerstones for our communities. Through strategic improvements, we will be able to expand our programs and operate as stewards for our cultural assets that have been entrusted in our care.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at CTAC
At Crooked Tree Arts Center, we are dedicated to cultivating a community where diversity, equity, and inclusion are integral to our mission. We strive to create an environment where all individuals feel valued, respected, and empowered to participate fully in the arts. We recognize that embracing diverse perspectives enriches our understanding and deepens our collective creativity. CTAC is committed to continuously developing programs that provide opportunities for all individuals to connect, learn, and grow through the arts.
Land Acknowledgement
Crooked Tree Arts Center respectfully acknowledges that our organization operates on the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, specifically the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi peoples. The Anishinaabeg have stewarded these lands for millennia, nurturing a deep connection to the natural world and upholding traditions that continue to enrich the cultural fabric of our region. We are committed to learning from and supporting Indigenous communities and to fostering a more inclusive future.