Arts Commission

History

The Livonia Arts Commission was established in April 1974 and held its first meeting in the office of Mayor Edward McNamara. The first year was devoted largely to identifying cultural resources in the City, establishing working relationships with those resources, and educating the new commissioners in the techniques required to build a fine arts program for a blossoming city.

In 1975 the Commission began presenting a variety of artistic and cultural programs throughout the City. The Michigan Opera Theater and the Oakway Symphony participated in workshops and performances during the City’s first ever “Opera Month.” The first Livonia Art Exhibit made its debut (now called Art From the Heart), and the “Music Under the Stars” program, still going strong in the new millennium, made its premier (now called Music From The Heart). Since that auspicious beginning, the Commission has fostered a rich and diverse series of cultural events, activities, and projects.

Through it all, however, the mission has remained the same - to create, promote, develop, sponsor, sustain, and further the development of the Arts in Livonia. Subsequent Commissions have continued to take that mission seriously and to build upon that heritage in a variety of ways. Today, the Commission fosters programs such as Music from the Heart each summer, the Annual Exhibition of Fine Arts each fall, and the granting of scholarships to high school and college students engaged in the Arts.