A lot is happening at Linkage right now… Don't miss out!

Y'all know we are movers and shakers in this community, so we got a lot going on. Below you'll find upcoming gatherings, ways to get involved behind the scenes, opportunities to apply for, and a few new tools we're rolling out to make communication easier. Take a few minutes to scroll and click what sparks you.

[Image: Day Of Empathy, 2026]

Upcoming Gatherings

March 28 | 12–6 PM "Where Are They Now?" – PCAP Alumni Reconnect Duderstadt Center (2281 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109). Lunch together, a theatre workshop, gallery tour, and time writing letters to artists currently inside. Space is limited — RSVP TODAY!

April 2 | Detroit Moth StorySlam Night: SUS Dinner meetup 5–6 PM-ish at Michigan & Trumbull (1331 Holden St #100, Detroit, MI 48202), then we'll head together to Marble Bar (1501 Holden St, Detroit, MI 48208) 6:30–9:30 PM. Space is limited — RSVP required by March 16. Email sunrath@linkagecommunity or text 734-649-0508

New Systems! (Save These) - New Linkage phone: 313-816-5550 - New Linkage text number: 313-942-4902 **You'll receive an opt-in text soon from my personal number (734-649-0508) so we can continue communicating with you from the new system. - New Linkage Zoom account — Coffee & Chats (Mondays @ 9 AM) and other meetings will no longer come from a UMich email (WOO HOO!). NEW COFFEE CHAT LINK **Check out the NEW LiNK HUB! Where you can find ALL our meeting links in one place.

[Image: We Draw The Lines, 2025]

Creation Circles & Working Groups These spaces are where members do the damn thing!

Writers, Books & Publishing Circle Biweekly. Next one Friday, March 27 | 10:30–11:30 AM. JOIN ZOOM (If writing, publishing, readings, or books interest you — these are your peeps.)

Exhibitions & Displays Circle REBIRTH Exhibit Planning: Monday, March 23 | 4–5 PM. JOIN ZOOM If you like writing, design, organizing details, or helping exhibitions come together behind the scenes — we need you in the room.

Help Shape the Community

Membership SubCommittee Tuesday, March 31 | 12–1 PM. JOIN ZOOM We will finalize the 2026 Code of Conduct (we should rename it!!) and brainstorm a Welcome Packet for new members.

Resource Development SubCommittee Tuesday, March 24 | 11 AM–12 PM. JOIN ZOOM Frannie will help think about how to grow and sustain all the AH-MAZING programs we've been dreaming up together! It's going to take ALL OF US to strengthen the foundation behind our programs.

Outreach & Marketing SubCommittee Thursday, March 26 | 2–3 PM. JOIN ZOOM We're planning 4+ weeks of Member Spotlights across our social platforms and we need YOUR help! We want (at least) ONE from everyone. We want real and relatable, not polished. Choose whatever format feels easiest: 30-second video, photo of a handwritten response, 1–2 sentence text, voice memo, quick Zoom recording with Sarah or Frannie. Prompts to spark ideas: - Tell us about a moment you walked into a room and felt like you belonged. - You drive hours to Linkage events. What makes it worth it? - Tell us about a moment when making art mattered to YOU. - If someone had never heard of Linkage, what would you want them to understand? - We doubled our membership in a year. Why do you think that happened?

Want to see what's coming this year? View Full 2026 Calendar Here

In Case You Missed It... Our 1st Financial Fun Workshop had us laughing while building budgets for fictional characters (and honestly, I learned a lot in the process). Check out the Quick Budgeting Guide **Next workshop in April – Economic Mobility: The Basics

Opportunities For Creatives

2026 Concert of Colors: The UM Detroit Center is accepting applications for performers to take the Wolverine Outdoor Stage in Detroit. Community-based artists from all genres and musical backgrounds are invited to apply for the chance to perform July 19, 2026 at this vibrant multicultural music festival. Deadline: March 18. More Info & Apply Here

Rooted in Place, Emerging in Public: A public art project honoring cancer survivors through 116 painted portraits. • Earn $300 per board • Materials provided • Boards are 24x36 RFQ Submission deadline: March 15. Peek @ The Application Here

Creative Capital 2027 Open Call: accepting proposals from individual artists in Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Film, and Literature. Awards include project grants up to $50,000 and $10,000 State of the Art Prizes for new work. Deadline: April 2, 2026 | 3PM ET. Learn More & Apply Here

[Image: Day Of Empathy, 2026]

Community Events

30th Annual Exhibition of Artists in Michigan Prisons Duderstadt Center (2281 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109) Come support Linkage members who are speaking: - March 17 – Opening Night: Featuring RIK, Charles, Corey, Dante & Kiko. Reception 6–7 PM | Program 7 PM - March 19 – Gallery Tour + Concert inspired by the exhibition. Tour 6:30 PM | Concert 8 PM - March 22 – Artist Panel: Featuring James, Kushawn, Johnetta. Lunch 12:30 PM | Panel 1:30 PM *Transportation reimbursement is not available for PCAP events

Resources for Creatives - DIY Artwork Documentation - Grant Writing Guide for Creatives

This community keeps growing because people keep showing up — with their ideas, their art, and their willingness to build something together. I'm excited about where this is headed and grateful to be in it, elbows deep, with all of you. — Sarah