Art and Business Philosophy

One of the most integral principles held by Northwood University is its Arts and Business philosophy. Co-founders, R. Gary Stauffer and Arthur E. Turner realized the importance that the arts play not only in the business world (in areas from package design, advertising layout and color selection, architectural design and developing company image), but also in the enrichment of one’s personal life (theatre, museums and personal attire). Mottos of the University are “The Arts Make Good Business Partners” and “Creativity Drives Success”. In keeping with this philosophy, the University developed its Arts Outreach Programs, which are presented to the community free of charge and benefit local schools and businesses

Art Collection

Northwood owns a fine art collection which includes the Tamassy Collection of Master Drawings, dating from the 16th to the 19th centuries. While the collection primarily is used to enhance the campus, The Tamassy drawings are available for museum exhibition.

Art Lectures and Children's Art Activities

The Director of Arts Outreach serves as a guest speaker in schools, colleges and universities. The Arts Outreach team brings a variety of children’s art activities to community venues. Contact Cheryl Smith for more information at casmith@northwood.edu or 989.837.4480.

Costume Collection

The University owns an International Costume Collection, made up of haute couture fashions donated by supporters of the university. The Collection has approximately 1,300 pieces and is rotated among Northwood’s three campuses and exhibited in museums. Fashion Marketing and Management students help catalog the collection as well as design displays at various venues. Most recently, parts of the collection were on display at the Dallas Women’s Museum.

Cultural Diversity Festival

An annual family-oriented event, the Cultural Diversity Festival celebrates world culture while entertaining and educating the community. Performances include dances of India, Chinese martial arts, the traditional Chinese Lion Dance, bagpipers and highland dancers from Scotland, African-American jazz, Japanese harp (koto) and dancers, Malaysian dancers, American clog dancers, Filipino dancers, Spanish flamenco dancers, African storytelling, Middle-Eastern dancers and much more.

Concurrently, volunteers from a variety of countries display information and artifacts from their respective countries. In the past, as many as eighteen countries were represented. Children were given a “passport,” which were stamped after interacting with each of the cultural display tables. Upon passport completion and after participating in one of the children’s multi-cultural art activities, the child turned in the passport for a prize. In the past, over 500 children participated.

Summer Sculptures

Northwood University joins Midland's Downtown Business Authority to display summer community designed sculptures. Local artists, sponsored by local businesses, feature their talents on themed models with viewing locations on or near Main Street.

Based on the Cows of Chicago, the community has been treated to the Troll Stroll, followed by The Fox Trot, then the Adirondack Antics, and the Block Party, using the uniblock design created by Alden B. Dow.

Tunes at The Tridge

Midland is home to a three-way bridge, known as the Tridge. The Tridge’s downtown, park-like setting near the conjuncture of the Chippewa, Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers, offers the community a natural concert venue.

For the past five years, the Downtown Development Authority has solicited local businesses to sponsor a different outdoor band every week throughout the summer. Northwood’s Arts Outreach Department provides a different art activity each week, so children are entertained while parents enjoy the concert.