ART AND MUSEUMS

Flint-Genesee County is a place where art is born and refined, and history is preserved and honored. Home to a collection of renowned museums, cultural centers and performing arts groups, the people of Flint-Genesee County embrace art from every era in all its many forms.

Buick Gallery and Research Center

The Buick Gallery is home to the largest collection of vintage, one-of-a-kind and experimental prototype Buick cars. The Gallery also houses an automotive and local historical records research facility. Featuring over 25 classic and concept Buicks, Chevrolets and other locally built automobiles, the Buick Gallery is a favorite destination of Genesee County citizens and visitors alike.

Learn how you can get behind the wheel of Michigan history.

Flint Children's Museum

The Flint Children's Museum is one of Mid-Michigan's top places to visit with children. The museum is a cultural institution committed to the needs and interests of children, with over 40 hands-on educational exhibits and fun things to do for children up to 10 years old. The museum positively impacts children, families and communities, working in many ways to stimulate curiosity and motivate learning.

Check out upcoming activites at the Flint Children's Museum

Flint Cultural Center

Hosting over 600,000 visitors a year, The Flint Cultural Center's mission is to provide eye-opening artistic, scientific and cultural experiences. The center also functions as a welcoming, inclusive community center, promoting the understanding of the diverse cultures reflected in the greater Flint community. Institutions on the Flint Cultural Center campus include the Buick Gallery & Research Center, Longway Planetarium, Flint Institute of Arts, Flint Institute of Music, Flint Youth Theatre, Sloan Museum and The Whiting.

Learn more about the many programs and events sponsored by the Flint Cultural Center.

Flint Institute of Arts

Established in 1928 as a museum and art school, the Flint Institute of Arts currently houses the largest private art collection in Michigan, featuring over 7,500 works of art and hosting eight to ten special exhibits a year. The FIA is one of the largest museums in Michigan and home to the nation's tenth largest museum art school. At the Flint Institute of Arts, you will discover everything from exhibitions, art classes, films and videos, to lectures, concerts, tours and more.

Check out the FIA’s schedule of events and view pieces from the collection.

Flint Institute of Music

The Flint Institute of Music is home to the Flint Symphony Orchestra (FSO) and the Flint School of Performing Arts (FSPA). The FSO is composed of 77 professional musicians, led by Maestro Enrique Diemecke, who has gained an international reputation as one of the world's most dynamic conductors. As the largest community school for the arts in Michigan, the FSPA offers performing arts and education programs in music and dance to more than 3,500 students each year.

Learn how to purchase tickets to performances and enroll in classes at the Flint Institute of Music.

Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive

The prestigious Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive (formerly Joffrey Midwest Dance) has guided the talent of hundreds of dancers over the last 14 years and is one of the premiere schools for ballet training outside of New York. In 1996, Edith D’Addario, Director of the Joffrey Ballet School in New York, made the decision to bring this intense level of training to the Midwest. A partnership between The Whiting, the Flint Institute of Music and the Joffrey Ballet School gave birth to the Joffrey Midwest Summer Intensive, now renamed the Magnus Midwest Dance Intensive in honor of the many years John Magnus has dedicated to training the next generation of dancers. At the end of the four week summer intensive, Artistic Director John Magnus and his dancers put on a breath-taking performance.

Learn more about the intensive and how to attend the summer performance.

Longway Planetarium

Explore the wonders of outer space and experience scientific discovery at Michigan's largest planetarium. Longway's Sky Theater is equipped with the latest Digistar II technology, producing amazing 3-D star fields and astounding special effects. Dazzle your senses and rock out at the planetarium's series of laser shows. Hands-on family science activities and special exhibits like astronomy classes, telescope workshops and science demonstrations are also presented throughout the year.

Learn how you can tour the sky at Longway Planetarium.

Sloan Museum

From fur trading and pioneer life to lumbering, carriage making and the automobile boom of General Motors, the Alfred P. Sloan Museum brings history, culture and technology to life for the entire family. Visitors can also enjoy the Discovery Center, featuring hands-on science fun for all ages and a variety of special lectures and workshops for adults and children. The Pierson Automotive Gallery presents major automotive exhibits featuring vehicles from the Sloan fleet of over 80 Flint-built automobiles.

Learn more about the many historic relics and exciting exhibits at the Sloan Museum.

Whaley Historical House Museum

This magnificent residence ranks among the most elegant Victorian homes in the state. Whaley Historical House Museum is one of the Flint area’s last visible links to its nineteenth century heritage. Tours and special events make this home turned museum a “must see.”

Learn more about the history of the Whaley House and view the tour schedule.

The Whiting

The best and brightest stars illuminate the stage of this 2,043-seat theater. The Whiting presents dazzling performances from classical music, theater and dance, to big-name Broadway shows and legendary entertainers. The Whiting also hosts the Flint Symphony Orchestra, Annual Holiday Pops, the Flint Youth Theatre "Learning Through Theatre" series, many community graduations, recitals and other special events.

Get tickets and learn more about upcoming performances at the Whiting.