The market was named one of the top 10 best small town cultural scenes in the country by USA Today.News, Sports, Jobs

This recognition highlights Marquette’s rich cultural community, where galleries, museums, festivals, and the performing arts thrive alongside the natural beauty that characterizes the area. Residents and visitors alike enjoy easy access to the picturesque scenery as well as the vibrant arts and cultural scene that makes Marquette a truly special place.

“This honor is national recognition for the incredible creative community that calls Marquette home.” Marquette City Arts and Culture Manager Tina Morin said in a release. “We are a city that is intentional about supporting and integrating the arts and celebrating the people who live here.

“Culture is the engine of the economy and what attracts tourists, but it’s not the only thing. Markets are special because the people who live here are passionate about their community, and they bring joy to it. Because they express themselves in different creative ways.”

The city of Marquette’s vibrancy is rooted in the collaboration that unites artists, audiences, and supporters. Its top 10 position is not dependent on a single industry. Public, private, nonprofit, and for-profit stakeholders and individuals all contribute to events that ensure a calendar full of cultural opportunities throughout the year.

Above are musical performances on the Rosewood Walkway during Art Week 2018. (Photo provided by City of Marquette)

Visit the www.MQTcompass.com website for a community calendar to post events and find out what’s happening in the market. Managed by the Marquette Office of Arts and Culture, the site also features creative opportunities, resources, the city’s arts and culture programs and projects, and a public arts directory.

The Market is a place where community-driven culture and city-supported initiatives come together. The City Arts and Culture Department leads the way in creating places and promoting economic vitality through planning and policy. Under the Arts and Culture Master Plan and Public Art Policy, the city prioritizes building resources and empowering local creators. The City Arts and Culture Department works with local partners in a variety of sectors to secure state and national grants for capital projects and initiatives.

≤ PUBLIC ART: Anishinaabe artist Jason Quigno’s “Teachings of the Seven Grandfathers” sculpture will be installed at the entrance to the new downtown pedestrian pier in late June. (57% of the grant is being utilized by the Marquette Public Art Commission)

≤ Events: The city’s annual Art Week festival runs June 24-29 and features locally-led, free-to-attend events, performances, and installations. (100% funding for artists and events secured through Michigan Arts and Culture Council Project Grants)

≤ Cultural Trail: Dual language (Anishinaabe and English) story marker signs will be installed this fall along the city’s shoreline cultural trail. (100% of the grant will be provided through the Native American Heritage Fund and the National Endowment for the Arts)

≤ Bandshell: Architectural design will be developed this summer for construction of the new Peg Hirvonen Band Shell in Presque Isle Park in 2025 (100% funded by the Hirvonen Foundation and local donors)

≤ Cultural Center and Trailhead: Architectural designs for a new cultural center and trailhead building at Father Market/Lions Lakeside Park will be developed this summer and constructed in 2025. The building will be the new home for staff and visitors to the city’s Department of Arts and Culture. A creative resource hub for local communities and visitors. (100% grant provided through Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

The community will have opportunities for feedback, project updates, and more during Art Week.

To learn more about USA Today’s 10Best and see other top 10 destinations, visit 10best.usatoday.com/awards/travel/best-small-town-culture-scene-2024.

To learn more about Marquette Arts and Culture, its mission to celebrate and empower creative communities, and current projects, visit www.mqtcompass.com.