Educational Programming

Over the past five years The Ark has been developing new educational initiatives based on community needs and interests. The main focus has been Common Chords: Telling America’s Story Through Music and Cultural Expression.  

Through the generous support of the Ford Philanthropy, over the past five years The Ark has presented Common Chords to over 1,300 4th and 5th graders and chaperones from schools in Goodrich, Waterford, Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Plymouth, Southfield, Madison Heights and Detroit. The 60-minute program teaches about American history, diversity and music.  Participating teachers give the program high ratings for enriching students’ spirits, increasing students’ knowledge of American music and culture, and teaching children how to be good audience members. 

The Ark’s annual Storytelling Festival is a two-day celebration of the art of the tale, a well-loved journey to the land of the mind’s eye. The Storytelling Festival is an event for all ages, building the next generation of tellers and hearers in a unique way.

Shape Note Singing is a non-denominational community musical event. The Ark’s group regularly meets on the second Sunday of the month, September through June from 1-4 pm. It’s free to attend and all are welcome. No experience is necessary! Contact Charlotte at cawolfe@umich.edu, or call Pat at (734) 678-7549, for more information.

Our club volunteers work concessions, sell merchandise, usher, take tickets, and process memberships.

Our volunteer tech crew is responsible for the production of live sound including artist load-in, stage set up, sound check, live show, and tear down.

If you would like to volunteer in an alternate capacity, we are also looking for volunteers with daytime and evening availability to help with heavy lifting of band equipment.

At The Ark, we take seriously our role as part of a larger musical community. We nurture rising artists, we listen to the wisdom (and the humor) of those who’ve been around for awhile, and, frankly, we’re not afraid to present music that you just won’t hear anywhere else.

If you’d like access to an Ark audience during a show, Stage Sponsorship is the way to go. Stage Sponsorship is $500 per show. Stage Sponsorship provides you with recognition from the stage, an opportunity to briefly address the audience at the start of the show, and a table in The Ark lobby, where you can distribute items and/or literature during the show.

Download the Stage Sponsorship Form below or for more information, call Tom Stoll at (734) 761-1800, ext. 128.

Download the Stage Sponsorship Form

If you’re interested in entertaining clients or rewarding employees with tickets to Ark performances, our Corporate Friend Program is the way to go. An annual contribution at one of two levels – Silver Level at $1,500 or Gold Level at $2,500 – provides your business with tickets to four or more designated Ark shows per month for a year.

Download the Corporate Friend Sponsorship Form below, or for more information on Corporate Friend sponsorship, call Tom Stoll at (734) 761-1800, ext. 128.

Corporate Friend Sponsorship Form

If you’re looking for a high degree of visibility and recognition, sponsorship of the Ann Arbor Folk Festival puts your business in front of up to 6,000 people in Hill Auditorium. The Ark’s annual signature event takes place the last Friday and Saturday of January and is considered one of Michigan’s premiere music events. Sponsorships range from $1,000 – $35,000. All levels include recognition from the stage and in the program, tickets to the event and backstage passes during intermission. Levels $2,500 and above also include recognition in print promotion, as well as other select benefits.

For more information on Folk Festival sponsorship opportunities, call Tom Stoll at (734) 761-1800, ext. 128.