Our Programs
ACT provides art and creative expression programming that enriches the lives of people with and without disabilities throughout West Michigan.
The arts bring us all together into a segment of space and time where nothing else matters but the joy of letting go, being honestly oneself, and being adventurous. No limits.
—LAURA ARMENTA, MOVEMENT AND DANCE TEACHER
STUDENT STORY
Finding Joy and Friendship at ACT
OSSATERIA "OSSY" HEARD
DJ VANDERMEER
Building Pride Through Art
DJ, a new student at ACT, is the type of person who likes to make things. At home, he builds cat beds out of cardboard for his furry friends Batman, Hawkeye, and Einstein. At ACT, DJ gets to create using media like paint and colored pencils. His favorite subjects are characters, trucks, cars, and airplanes.
For students like DJ, one of the most important things about ACT is that it gives them both a sense of belonging and an outlet for creativity. Says DJ, “I love art. Many things at ACT make me feel proud, and I feel very welcome. I like being here.”
STUDENT STORY
Finding Happiness with Hands-On Work
ACT art student Andres Paniagua has a smile that lights up the entire room. It's especially bright when he talks about his art class, which he loves because it's a hands-on experience. He likes working with paper, and his favorite recent project was a hand-drawn self portrait. Andres is also proud of the papier mache robot he submitted to the ACT art showcase.
Like many of the students, Andres is taking transition classes after high school to help him prepare for navigating life as a young adult. The art studio at ACT provides a healthy, creative counterbalance to more traditional classes. Hands-on guy Andres agrees. When asked why he likes ACT so much, he laughs and says, "It gets me out of the classroom."
STUDENT STORY
ANDRES PANIAGUA
Youth Programs
School-based programs for early childhood to transition-aged students and classes at the ACT studio.
Adult Programs
Classes at the ACT studio and community locations for individuals 16 and older.
Health & Healing Programs
For hospital and long-term care patients and residents of health agencies.
Community Programs
Special events and ongoing programs for people of all ages and all abilities.
Creative Cube
Our mobile studio supports all programs by providing art opportunities on the road.
Programs at a Glance
Our Impact
Simply put, ACT improves lives. We use the arts as a fundamental tool to help all people reach their full potential.
Providing Limitless Opportunities for Every Child
Lillian Cummings Pulliams, director of the Early Childhood Special Education classroom program for Wyoming Public Schools, has served as the point person for ACT. developing schedules and distributing information to the staff. She has always been proud to champion ACT at the school because she believes the program meets children where they are, no matter their ability, and encourages them to explore their unique interests.
Says Lillian of the program: "Through ACT, every child is allowed to participate to the best of his/her ability, made to feel valued, given a sense of belonging, and enabled to demonstrate their gifts and talents in their own way. No one child is made to feel more or less than their peers."
She says that this inclusivity is what makes the program so special, providing limitless opportunities for every child to create and explore. "The ACT students have taught me that no child should have limited access to decreased expectations based on what has been identified as a disability or handicap," says Lillian. "Through ACT artforms, our children demonstrated a joy that had not been visible before. As a result, their attempts to communicate increased in ways that staff had not yet witnessed."
PARTNER STORY
LILLIAN CUMMINGS PULLIAMS
Volunteers by Year
“I serve as a volunteer during art classes and am the chair of the Campus Links program at GVSU. ACT helps with programming for our students. It’s a progam that includes everyone and provides everyone with a way to communicate. When you can see growth, joy, and inspiraton in the participants, you realize how special the program is.”
—DORI RUNYON, PARTNER, GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Community Partners
Our Impact
We are eternal optimists. In all we do at ACT, we hope to empower every child, youth, and adult to reach their full potential.
Collectively Experiencing Joy
Laura Armenta, a Movement and Dance teacher, has been working with ACT since 2015. Her favorite thing about teaching? She loves making her students laugh and appreciates how they all learn and grow together (Laura included!). She says, "When I share with them dance, yoga, or body movement, it's great to see them enjoying the relationship between their body and music they love. Happiness matters, and in the brief moment of our time together, we collectively experience happiness, goofiness, and joy."
As a teacher at ACT, Laura gets to observe the freedom and creativity that art inspires on a daily basis. "I have witnessed a transformation in my students when I teach. The arts bring us all together into a segment of space and time where nothing else matters but the joy of letting go, being honestly oneself, and being adventurous. No limits."
In Laura's opinion, this is why ACT is so important to our community. "ACT offers love, compassion, and acceptance. It's a great asset to have an organization that embraces all humans and builds connections among art, artists, and volunteers."
TEACHING ARTIST STORY
LAURA ARMENTA
ACT as both an organization and a community has cultivated a generative space where relationships grow easily. Anyone who's tried to do this knows how difficult it is to create real community, but ACT does it daily.
—STEVEN EDELMAN, VISUAL ARTS TEACHER
LAURA SANTOS
Exploring Endless Artistic Possibilities
Laura was introduced to ACT by a friend and fellow volunteer who told her that the very first time she helped out in a class, she immediately fell in love with the students and the classroom. Today, Laura has been volunteering with ACT for almost a year, and she completely understands what her friend meant.
"I love the creative atmosphere," says Laura. "When it comes to creating art, the possibilities are endless for the students. I'm just happy I get to be a part of it and witness their creative process.
It's not surprising that Laura is learning a lot from the students and teachers, too. "They've taught me the ability to be open and try new things with enthusiasm and excitement," says Laura. The staff is so encouraging and hardworking, and they are so passionate and dedicated to keeping this wonderful program going."
VOLUNTEER STORY
Our Donors
ACT would not be possible without the support of generous organizations, companies, and people like you. We deeply appreciate your support year after year.
3 IN ONE Solutions
Aaron & Catherine Van Proyen
Abigail Powers
Aimee Simtob
Alix Vargo
Allyson Terpsma
Amanda & Jared Love
Amazon Smile
Amway
Amy & Randy Chambers
Amy Oliver
Angela & Rob Steele
Anne & Joe Redford
Anne Redford Design LLC
Ann Zoellner
Aon Risk Solutions
Arts Midwest
Ashley & Joseph Chrysler
Ashley & Josh Baker
Ashley Bodell
Barbara & Christopher Hackett
Barbara Bergers
Barbara Rohwer
Baudville
Becky Hart
Benevity
Bernard & Harriet Mitchell
Bertram & Laura Sluys
BHS Insurance
Bill & Barb Krater
Bill Chesney
Bill Mckee
Binh Ha & Will Morrissey
Brad Darooge
Brandon Erhart
Brenda Travis
Brenna Reimink
Brian Johnson
Bryan Flietstra & Corrie Greenshields
Caitlin Qua & Margaret Paxton
Carissa & Patrick Beadling
Carl & Kelly Jandernoa
Carly Zagaroli
Carrie Prater
Casey & Jessica Jones
Casey & Katee Aubil
Catholic Information Center
Charlene & Timothy Hill
Charlene Czarnecki
Chris & Bruce Hayden
Chris Parker
Christine O'Hara
Christy Root
City of Grand Rapids
Colleen & Micah Alles
Colleen Holmes
Consumers Energy Foundation
Corinne Sprague
Council of Michigan Foundations
Crowe
Crowe Foundation
Curt & Bonnie Monhart
Cynthia J. Smith
Dan & Ann Jacques
Dan & Sherry Bowen
Danielle Rowland
Dan Johnston
Darcy & Cullen Walsh
Dave & Jill Veeneman
Dean & Anita Gorsuch
Dean & Nancy Haney
Diane St. Claire & Tom Northway
Dixon Interior Design
Don & Diane VanOeveren
Donald & Catherine Bruckman
Dori Runyon
Doug & Melissa Haneline
Edgar Marty
Elissa & Nate Weaver
Elizabeth & Van Edgerton
Elizabeth Nickels & John Brauneis
Ellen Carpenter
Ellen Cherveny
Emily & Chadrick Mann
Emily Evers & Chris Milostan
Emily Rucker & Kyle Waite
Emily Shatto Evans & Matt Evans
Engineered Protection Systems [EPS]
Eric & Laura Conforti
Ericka Long
Erin & Kyle Dressander
Erin Lyon
Esther Onaga
Evan Hordyk
Eve Allen
Florence Koster
Fredrick & Amy Lake
Frey Foundation
Fulton Family Dentistry
Gary & Barbara Gritter
Gary & Sue Ann Clark
Gillette Family Foundation
Gina Post
Gordon & Kathi Jo DeYoung
Grace Smith
Graham Bennett
Grant Ponte
Greenleaf Trust
Greg & Kim Evers
Gregory & Cecilia Bator
Gregory & Judith Osmun
Gwendolyn Childs-Gridiron
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Hyde Creative
Jack Cruz
Jake Rykse
Jane & Ernie Sandona
Jan Reynolds
Jeanne Helmrick
Jeanne Herold
Jeff & Karrie VandenBerge
Jenna Dominique
Jessica & Daniel Pennock & Family
Jessica & Josh Duval
Jessica Rodgers
Jim Burdick
Joanne Kelty
Joe & Ashley Brennan
Joe DeJong
Jo Ellen Jolliffe
John & Arnette Kraus
John Apol
Jonathon & Grace Bradford
Jordan Edwards
Jordan Love
Juli & Chris Wiseman
Julianne Gietzen
Julie & Matt Paganelli
Julie & Tom Brinks
Donors
Binh Ha, Donor
I’ve always wanted to support an organization whose work I could trust. ACT immediately came to mind. I was impressed and moved by the work that the organization does to empower people with disabilities through the arts. I feel deeply connected to ACT’s mission and culture and am truly grateful for the opportunity to give back by becoming a monthly donor.
Julie Lensink
Karen Cheydleur
Karin & Greg McAleenan
Kathleen Freeman
Kathy Keehn & Marty LaBrecque
Kay Cariano
Kelly Allen
Kelly DeWispelaere
Kelsey Hanson
Kelvin Oliver
Kevin Bloem
Kim & Ryan McLaughlin
Kimberly Hanrahan
Krista Pischner-Coon & Dustin Coon
Laura & Tom Madison
Laura Allen
Laurel Pruski-Jones
Lauren & Adam Tweedy
Lauren & Michael Rodewald
Lauren Benda-Hoffman
Leon Hendrix
Lin & David Shatto
Lin Culver
Linda & Ed Bueche
Linda & Scott LaFontsee
Linda Stewart
Lisa & Gabe Miller
Lisa Martinus
Lon & Laura Morrisson
Lori Ambrose
Lori Nieuwbeerta
Louise Edison
Lowell Area Art Council
Lynne & Jose Hernandez
Lynnette Collins
Ty Cook, Donor
The students of ACT have taught me that the power of art is that it returns happiness to those who practice it, act ACT fosters those interactions in a way that is natural and long-lasting.
Madelaine Lane
Madeline Schaab
Mandy & David Matthews
Marc & Joelle VanderVelde
Margaret & Bob Nault
Margaret Stalker
Mark & Bridget Czarnecki
Mark & Lori LaCroix
Mark Celichowski
Mark Shirey
Marla Ehlers
Mars & Don VandenBos
Mary & Jeff Dixon
Mary & Steven Cok
Mary & William Morrissey
Mary & William Scott
Mary Beth Fitzgerald
Mary Caroline Frey
Mary Hoksbergen
Matthew Farrell & Chelsea Kittridge-Farrell
Matthew Hogg
Maya Rosloniec
Megan Vollink
Meredith & Kipp Bronk
Michael & Barb Breen
Michael & Linda Jaracz
Michael & Sue Jandernoa
Michael & Susan Valcq
Michael & Valerie Feehan
Michele Suchovsky & John Gabrosek
Michelle McHale-Adams & George Adams
Michigan Arts and Culture Council
Mike & Kathy Cairns
Mike & Sydney Azzi
MillerKnoll Foundation
Molly & Shannon Gary
Morgan Matthews
Nancy & John Beadling
Nat & Marcia Love
Next Creative Co.
Nick & Shellie Adamy
Pam Haffenden
Paradise Foundation
Patricia Ade
Patrick & Kathy Qua
Paul Beach & Rebecca Sauter-Beach
Peter & Emily Hunsberger
Rachel Hyde
Rachelle Roy
Randal & Colleen Cleves
Rebecca Klein
Reem Yaw
Rhonda Lubberts
Richard & Teresa Kosla
Rich Evenhouse
Rob & Monica Jandernoa
Robert F. Beard Charitable Foundation
Ron & Patricia Dressander
Ronni & Patrick Geary
Rosie Dunlap
Ruth Goodell
Ryan & Jackie Greaves
Ryan & Jill Anderson
Ryan Mulder
Rylee Egan
Sadie Malady
Sara Wisnewski-Olson
Service Express
Seth & Erin York
Sharkey's Cuts for Kids
Sherry Chin
Sheryl & Ross Leisman
Sir Speedy
Spencer & Kaitlin Olson
Stacey Bell
Stacie & Brent VanHaren
Stan Evers & Jill McKenna
Steelcase Inc
Stephenie & Jamie Haughee
Steve & Beth Olson
Steve & Holly Jandernoa
Steven & Brenda Bezinque
Swift Printing
Tammy Karas
Ted & Jan Kuzma
Ted Czarnecki
Tena'e & Willie Patterson
Terri Hanna
Terry & Camille Lieffers
Tim Hackney
Timothy Fisher
Todd & Ali VanHaren
Todd & Ellen Sutton
Todd Jones & Rick Eisen
Tom & Kris Crimp
Traci Price
Trent Vanderlende
Ty & Cortney Cook
Tyler DeNooyer
United Bank
Valerie Maciejewski & Walter Maciejewski III
Victoria Marnich-Reynolds & Tom Reynolds
Walters and Mason Retail, Inc
Warner Norcross + Judd
WB Blanton Enterprises LLC
Wendy & Jeffrey Wilterink
Wendy Brummel
Will & Breanne Kelderhouse
Winsome Kirton-Hordt & Thomas Hordt
Zach McCurdy & Katie Koole-McCurdy
Our Financials
This year marks another year of financial stability for Artists Creating Together. Our strong fiscal oversight will allow us to conduct art and cultural programming for years to come.
2022 Funding
Thank you for making ACT possible.
Design and development by Design Project Center, College of Business, Ferris State University.
