What’s Next for Northern Michigan? Leaders Weigh In on 2026
By Kierstin Gunsberg | Dec. 27, 2025
From celebrating the completion of major initiatives to riding out funding challenges and unexpected leadership changes, 2025 delivered big wins and big uncertainties for northern Michigan’s institutions and organizations. As 2026 commences, here’s what some of their leaders told us about their goals heading into it and their hopes for community involvement in the year ahead.
“I want to bring people in our community together for an opportunity to network and meet like-minded people, regardless of your age or where you're at [in] your career. I want people to feel connected and empowered. Let's lift each other up, share conversations and laughter and grow together.” - Margaret Williams, …
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10:00 AM
$1 Kids' Matinee
Featuring "Frozen Sing Along." More Info >>10:00 AM
Festival of Trains
Runs Dec. 20 - Jan. 3. Santa visits on Sat., Dec. 21 & Sat., Dec. 27 from 1-3pm. … More Info >>10:00 AM
Indoor Farmers Market
Browse the Mercato halls every Sat. through April. More than 30 vendors offer a variety of items from … More Info >>10:00 AM
Winter Member Exhibition
Dec. 5 - Jan. 2. Opening reception on Dec. 5 from 5-7pm. OAC member showcase is an all-media … More Info >>11:00 AM
8th Annual Art Tree & Ornament Show
Featuring hundreds of handmade ornaments. Opening reception will be held on Dec. 4 from 5-8pm. Runs through New … More Info >>11:00 AM
Beneath the Surface: Training Tomorrow’s Water Stewards
The Great Lakes Water Studies Institute at NMC is advancing freshwater, groundwater, & marine science through cutting-edge technology, … More Info >>11:00 AM
Dewey Blocksma: Roundtable
Blocksma's artwork is a gathering of figures & ideas, real & imagined, informed by medicine & art. Common … More Info >>11:00 AM
Doug Cannell: "Selections from Backstories"
An introduction to Doug Cannell’s works that merge sculpture, installation, & storytelling into layered experiences. Cannell creates objects … More Info >>11:00 AM
Ice Into Ocean: Arctic Tracings
This exhibition is the result of a seven year collaboration between Cy Keener & Justine Holzman, exploring how … More Info >>11:00 AM
Impressions of an Era: Prints from the Denison Museum Collection
This selection of prints, created between 1970 & 1990 by nationally & internationally recognized contemporary artists, reflects two … More Info >>11:00 AM
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