A new year-round cultural arts destination is coming to northern Michigan.

Bay Harbor is breaking ground on the Great Lakes Center for the Arts on July 2, a 500-seat auditorium the community hopes will become a regional jewel. This week's Northern Express - sister publication of The Ticker - has a special inside look at plans for the venue, which includes a $25 million capital campign (fundraising has already surpassed $20 million) and a targeted additional $25 million endowment.

The center is located a central point between Emmet and Charlevoix counties, providing a convenient base for community cultural events serving both areas. Michael Kaiser, president emeritus of the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., serves as the GLCA’s lead consultant and brings an impressive resume; he’s worked with the Royal Opera House in London, American Ballet Theatre, and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

“He is able to know not only how to construct a technically suitable venue, but how to build a professionally run organization that is both financially sustainable and presents exciting, inspirational experiences to audiences,” says Jill O’Neill, executive director for the center.

Although the GLCA’s year-round performance schedule won’t begin until 2018, the groundbreaking event — scheduled for July 2 at 5pm and open to the public — will serve as the official kickoff to the performance schedule, with Bay View’s Spectrum Brass and the young artist vocal program Up North Vocal Institute providing entertainment. Read more in this week's Northern Express cover story, "Introducing the Great Lakes Center For The Arts," available online and at more than 600 distribution spots across 14 counties.