The beauty and vibrancy of Lake Michigan, the serenity of our countryside and the rich stories of our past inspire us. Now you can connect with the artists, actors, musicians and dreamers that call this area home.
Visit any of the Creative Connections destinations or the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council to get a game brochure. Use the Creative Connections brochure to keep track of where you have traveled and collect destination stamps from May 1, 2023-April 30, 2024. (You must be 18 years or older to play.)
Whenever you visit a participating destination, make sure to get your brochure stamped by an employee. Each destination has a unique stamp. The more stamps you collect, the more prizes you can earn. (Duplicate stamps are not allowed.)
Level 1: Collect 3 different destination stamps to complete.
Level 2: Collect 3 more different destination stamps to complete.
Hotel Level: Stay in one of our hotels after completing Level 1 or 2. Ask for a receipt to include as proof of your stay. Name on receipt must match name on creative license.
Complete ALL the levels for entry into the Grand Prize drawing.
In order to redeem your prizes, fill out the creative license form and mail your entire brochure to the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council for validation by May 6, 2024. (This offer is good while prize supplies last.)
$15 gift card to a Creative Connections destination of your choice
Large canvas boat tote with Creative Connections art
Choose Your Creative Connections experience by enjoying a cooking or art class at a member location on us ($75 value)
The Acorn is a rare and remarkable performing arts venue presenting high-quality, professional live entertainment. The intimate and eclectic non-profit performance space features Rock, Folk, Americana, Indie, Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass, open mics, comedy, films and more! Performers of incomparable talent delight audiences year-round in an acoustically rich and unique space.
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ARS Arts & Culture Center is a 501 (c)(3) not for profit organization with a mission to Encourage, Enlighten & Engage in the Arts! Our purpose is to provide a local community Art Center, which promotes, develops, and implements cultural, visual fine arts, and arts education to the community with a focus on at-risk youth in Benton Harbor and surrounding communities.
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The Box Factory for the Arts is a center for the arts and features four galleries with rotating exhibits; rental studios for visual artists, writers and musicians; a stage area for theatrical and musical productions; an Art Market; commercial office space; a library; classroom; meeting room; and more. We celebrate and promote all creative arts.
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We are a co-operative art gallery featuring the beautiful work of local artists. From creating art to staffing the gallery, you will see the culmination of our art on display year round. Most disciplines are represented including wood working, jewelry, painting, glass, fiber, photography and ceramics.
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Music: 204 Water St. | Dance: 91 Hinkley St.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269-925-1099
Take music lessons or dance classes at the Citadel, attend a Citadel performance, attend an Art Hop, arrange a tour of one of our campuses or schedule an appointment to learn more about our programs.
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CPR Dance: Inhale Movement is the premiere contemporary dance company in SWMI. We value bringing community access to professional dance, while sharing collaborative and engaging opportunities to connect, view, and participate in movement. Breathing Life. Moving Life. With Attendance Towards One Another.
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Fernwood's mission is to enrich people's lives by awakening and deepening their appreciation of nature. Now more than ever, public gardens play an important role in offering a safe place of beauty and healing. We look forward to welcoming you to Fernwood's 105 acres of gardens and natural areas.
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The Gallery at Harbor Shores features a rotation of select Michigan Artists. Located on the mezzanine level of the resort, as well as select public spaces throughout The Inn.
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The GhostLight Theatre opened in 2019 in the Benton Harbor Arts District, seeking to illuminate the arts and culture of SW Michigan through the Theatre Arts. The GhostLight creates events where people are more than observers, and become active participants in creation and exploration of a variety of performance media. The brainchild of tenor Paul Mow, The GhostLight Theatre is a collaboration of local performing artists, business people, arts supporters, and enthusiastic audience members.
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Golden Muse Winery is a women-owned winery with a Steampunk-style tasting room, outdoor sculpture garden, and 1,200 sq ft gallery featuring the works of 30 International artists. The core of the collection was formed when Golden Muse owners operated an ecological art gallery in Chicago's West Loop in the 1990s.
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313 N. Cass St.
Berrien Springs, MI 49103
269-471-1202
The History Center at Courthouse Square offers visitors a chance to step back in time and follow the paths that have led us to this moment. Coupled with our all-ages programming, lovers of history, heritage, culture, and more have tons to enjoy!
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JLN Studio is a graphic design and art studio located in downtown Stevensville, MI. JLN Studio provides adult and children public and private art classes. JLN Studio is also a graphic design company helping numerous Southwest Michigan businesses enhance their marketing and visual brand with website design, logo creation, packaging, brochures, pamphlets, and SEO services.
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Krasl Art Center is a creative and inclusive place to engage with the arts free & open to the public. Explore sculpture outdoors, experience contemporary exhibitions, purchase artist-made items, learn in our studios, and attend dynamic programs and events year-round.
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The Morton House Museum showcases the oldest house in Benton Harbor to fulfill its mission to be "The Home of Benton Harbor History." The Morton House utilizes exhibits, artifacts, period rooms, and books to tell the amazing story of the history of the city of Benton Harbor.
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The Niles History Center is the Fort St. Joseph Museum and Chapin Mansion, both located in historic downtown Niles. The Chapin Mansion serves as one of the nation’s finest examples of the American Aesthetic style. Tours are led by trained docents and allow visitors an inside look into this beloved Niles landmark. The Fort St. Joseph Museum is located in the former carriage house of the Chapin Mansion and features exhibits that tell the story of Niles from the prehistoric era through the 1691 founding of Fort St. Joseph to the modern businesses and industrial era.
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The mission of the North Berrien Historical Society is to preserve and distribute information regarding the history of North Berrien County. We wish to promote research, encourage learning, and disseminate knowledge of the area's cultural and architectural legacy.
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The mission of the Buchanan Art Center is to provide a place in our community dedicated to nurturing the arts by providing a quality educational program for all ages, as well as gallery exhibits, sales opportunities, and a gift shop that are supportive of class offerings and local artists, thereby enabling the Center to creatively enlist the power of the arts in promoting positive social change.
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You can't help but smile when you enter the Silver Beach Carousel house in St. Joseph, Mich. The band organ music lifts your spirit as 48 hand-carved and brilliantly painted figures, plus two chariots (a rocking peacock and a sea serpent that welcomes wheelchairs), whirl merrily around. What fun to choose which ones to ride!
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Let the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra fill your summer with iconic American melodies: from patriotic to cinematic, all on the shores of Lake Michigan - including a special collaboration with the Ghostlight Theatre.
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Formed in 1932, Twin City Players is a volunteer based nonprofit organization that strives to engage the community in quality theatre that changes lives and to be recognized for organizational excellence producing quality performances in southwest Michigan.
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Located in the Benton Harbor Arts District, Water Street Glassworks is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) art school, public access studio and gallery offering classes in the glass and metal arts, exhibitions and events for all ages. Our qualified instructors will guide you through the exciting process of working in the fire arts. Learn to blow or cast molten glass, form glass beads over a torch, or create a colorful expression of yourself in our fusing, stained glass and mosaic studios. Select from a variety of classes or schedule a private experience for your group. All studios are open year-round. Experience a fiery new side of yourself at Water Street Glassworks!
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2642 West John Beers Rd
Stevensville
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Sep 26
707 Lake Blvd
Saint Joseph
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Sep 27
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Sep 29
91 Hinkley St
Benton Harbor
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Sep 29
1101 Broad St.
SAINT JOSEPH
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Sep 30
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Sep 30
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Oct 01
2642 W John Beers Rd
Stevensville
6:00pm - 9:00pm
Oct 03
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Oct 06
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Oct 07
2755 E. Napier Avenue
Benton Harbor
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Oct 07
2642 W John Beers Rd
Stevensville
6:00pm - 8:30pm
Oct 12
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Oct 13
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Oct 14
2755 E. Napier Avenue
Benton Harbor
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Oct 14
793 M-139
Benton Harbor
5:00pm - 9:00pm
Oct 14 - Oct 29
707 Lake Blvd.
St. Joseph
11:00am - 12:30am
Oct 14
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Oct 15
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
7:00pm - 10:00pm
Oct 17
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Oct 20
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Oct 21
4160 E. Campus Circle Dr.
Berrien Springs
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Oct 22
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Oct 27
107 Generations Drive
Three Oaks
8:00pm - 11:00pm
Oct 28
From May 1, 2023-April 30, 2024.
Pick up a brochure at any Creative Connections destination or the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council (2300 Pipestone Rd., Benton Harbor). You can also request a brochure online.
You cannot request a stamp retroactively. In order to earn a stamp, you must ask for one when you visit the Creative Connections destination.
While we encourage you to complete all levels and explore the creative destinations in Southwest Michigan, you don't have to complete every level. If you only finish the first level, follow the directions and send in your brochure to get a prize!
Stay in any hotel listed here. The name on this receipt must match the name on your creative license. Include the hotel receipt when you turn in your brochure for validation.
Depending on which levels you complete, you have the ability to win the following: a gift card to a Creative Connections destination of your choice, a large canvas boat tote with Creative Connections art, a Creative Connections cooking or art class experience at a member location ($75 value), and our Grand Prize, a two-night, all-inclusive hotel package for two people.
In order to redeem your prizes, fill out the creative license form and mail your entire brochure to the Southwestern Michigan Tourist Council for validation by May 6, 2024. (This offer is good while prize supplies last).
