616 Presents: culturedGR editor Holly Bechiri connects public to visual, performing arts
culturedGR is working to fill the need for coverage of the arts in Grand Rapids.
During this week’s podcast, Matthew Provoast sits down with Holly Bechiri, editor of culturedGR. From a small town in Iowa, Holly used to picture herself eventually living in a windmill. But today, she is a Grand Rapids dwelling, art and travel loving, leader in creative coverage in our community.
Though Bechiri thought she would move on from the nonprofit world after leaving The Rapidian, she was approached to pitch an idea to fill the gap in journalism for the visual and performing arts in Grand Rapids. Now running with the support of donors, corporate sponsors, and over a dozen organizational sponsors, with a fiscal sponsorship with Creative Many Michigan, Cultured.GR was launched in the fall of 2016.
The importance of supporting local creatives is something that culturedGR strives to impress upon its readers. Their coverage doesn’t end at galleries and museums-the ballet, opera, and symphony get their fair share of coverage.
Provoast and Bechiri talk about how she balances so many great things happening in Grand Rapids, without breaking the bank. culturedGR highlights events that are accessible to anyone, and sends out a “Sunday Paper” to help you plan your week.
An event happening soon that you may want to check out is “Who Tells the Story: Unpacking conversations about art and race” on February 27. This is an event put on by culturedGR in partnership with the Grand Rapids African American Museum and Archives and Fountain Street Church.
616 Presents is a podcast recorded at Light Gallery + Studio in Grand Rapids, MI. With a focus on Art, Design, and Community, conversations are had with the movers and shakers living in Grand Rapids — or just passing through. The hosts for 616 Presents are Erika Townsley, Fernando Ramirez, and Matthew Provoast. Recording supported by Kearney Creative.
