The University of Michigan’s Arts Initiative has unveiled the 2025 cohort for its Creative Careers Residency, a unique program aiding recent graduates in transitioning from academic environments to professional creative careers. This initiative stands out for its comprehensive support package, including a $40,000 stipend, health insurance, studio access, and expert mentorship. The program focuses on fostering community-engaged creative projects across various disciplines, such as architecture, poetry, and performance arts.
Entering its third year, the residency selects three exemplary master’s graduates. This year’s recipients include Willie Cornish from the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, Abigail Lowe from the Stamps School of Art & Design, and Sahara Sidi from the Helen Zell Writers’ Program. By offering structure and professional growth opportunities, the residency aims to bridge the gap for artists post-graduation when institutional support diminishes but creative potential is high. Participants also contribute to the university and local community through workshops and creative collaborations.
Mark Clague, executive director of the Arts Initiative, emphasized, “These fellowships are a critical professional bridge helping some of our most innovative and creative alumni as they take those first bold steps into sustainable creative careers.” The residency is integral to the Arts Initiative’s mission of embedding the arts within the university and the broader Michigan Arts ecosystem. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, public engagement, and strategic investments, the initiative supports emerging professionals in establishing viable creative careers.
The 2025 Creative Careers Residents and their projects are detailed as follows:
Willie Cornish, Master of Music graduate in SMTD
Cornish is crafting an original music score for a production merging contemporary dance, fashion, and live performance. This project, debuting in spring 2026, delves into themes of self-expression and transformation, inspired by the butterfly life cycle. “I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to collaborate across mediums and create a production that’s very special to me,” Cornish expressed.
Abigail Lowe, Master of Fine Arts graduate in the Stamps School
Lowe’s project involves a mobile theatre inside a customized truck, offering live storytelling, puppetry, and animation in community spaces across southeast Michigan. This immersive experience uses scenographic techniques to reach beyond traditional art settings. “I can’t believe I have the chance to develop it alongside this incredible cohort,” Lowe stated.
Sahara Sidi, Master of Fine Arts graduate in LSA’s Zell Writers’ Program
Sidi is creating a poetry collection that revisits the intersection of music and poetry, honoring Mauritanian Iggawen and U.S. artists. Utilizing ethnopoetic techniques, her work seeks to transform lyrical forms into tools for cultural preservation and empathy. “I am so grateful for the opportunity to fully realize this project,” Sidi remarked.
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