Grand Rapids Public Museum announces several upcoming cultural events
On Tuesday, the Grand Rapids Public Museum (GRPM) announced that it will be "hosting a series of cultural celebrations this fall."
In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, the first event is a presentation, panel discussion and book signing event with Dr. Delia Fernandez-Jones, the author of "Making the MexiRican City: Migration, Placemaking, and Activism in Grand Rapids, Michigan." According to the GRPM's press release, this presentation will explore "the history of the Latino community in the City of Grand Rapids." Dr. Delia Fernandez-Jones stated that:
"I hope that attendees will see that Latinos have been in the area for over one hundred years and have enriched Grand Rapids in that time. Visitors will also learn about the ways that Latinos have come to West Michigan and how they have made this area home."
The subsequent panel discussion will feature local guests including:
- Guillermo Cisneros (President & CEO of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce)
- Milinda Ysasi (Grand Rapids City Commissioner, Second Ward)
- Carlos Sanchez (Executive Director of Casa Latina at Davenport University)
- Christina Arnold (former Executive Director of the Bob and Alecia Woodrick Center for Equity and Inclusion at Grand Rapids Community College)
After the panel, Dr. Delia Fernandez-Jones will be holding a book signing.
This event will take place at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 1. Registration is available on the Museum's website.
Just over a week later, in celebration of Indigenous People's Day, the GRPM (in collaboration with the Grand Rapids Public Schools Native American Education Program) will be hosting Anishinaabe Culture Day.
This event is intended for students and "is a one-day celebration of the history and culture of the Anishinaabe in West Michigan." According to the Museum's press release, school groups will be able to explore the Anishinabek: The People of this Place exhibit, "learn first-hand about Native American regalia, dance, and music," and participate in hands-on activities such as "pottery, basket and bowl making, and cornhusk dolls."
Anishinaabe Culture Day will take place on Oct. 11.
The two previously mentioned events will lead up to the GRPM's Cultural Heritage Festival. At this event, attendees will be able to partake in "music, art, food, visual presentations, captivating performances, and more from local cultural organizations..."
For more information about the Cultural Heritage Festival, visit the GRPM's website.
Government Finance Officers Association awards City of Grand Rapids "Excellence in Financial Reporting Award"
On Monday, it was announced that the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the City of Grand Rapids with the "Excellence in Financial Reporting Award." According to the City's press release, the award notification letter from Michele Mark Levine (the Director of GFOA's Technical Services Center) stated that:
"The Certificate of Achievement is the highest form of recognition in the area of governmental accounting and financial reporting, and its attainment represents a significant accomplishment by a government and its management."
The City's press release also states that 2023 "marks the 42nd consecutive year the City has received this prestigious award."
For more information, visit the City's website.
Also in the News:
- This weekend, John Ball Zoo (JBZ) will be hosting STEAM Day on Saturday, Sept. 23. For more information, visit JBZ's website.
- On Monday, the City of Grand Rapids announced that it is planning to release a request for information (RFI)/request for qualifications (RFQ) "for private development of solar" at the Butterworth landfill. According to the press release, "staff anticipates releasing the RFI/RFQ by mid- to late-September." For more information, visit the City's website.
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