State cultural chief tours local facilities
State cultural chief tours local facilities
By MIRIAM MOELLER Journal Staff Writer
Anderson spent the day speaking with leaders of local cultural attractions to applaud them for their contributions in helping create a “new economy” in Michigan by focusing on cultural tourism.
“I will hold up Marquette as an example for a partnership and collaboration of working together,” he said. “You folks really get it.”
Several years ago Marquette formed what is called a “cultural corridor” in which cultural organizations from Marquette to Ishpeming come together to decide marketing strategies, grant writing and other techniques that help promote the Marquette area as a cultural destination.
“Cultural institutions are a tremendous draw for tourists,”said Nheena Weyer Ittner, director of the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum in Marquette. “They also help to make a community rich and help draw people to want to live here.”
Among the stops during Anderson’s visit was Peter White Public Library, where he was impressed by the collaborative work between the library and the Marquette Arts and Culture Center.
“What’s going on in the library reinforces what’s going on in the cultural center,” he said.
He was also impressed by the Michigan Iron Industry Museum, where he learned about efforts to create the Iron Ore Heritage Trail from Ishpeming to Republic that features destinations relating to the U.P. iron ore history.
“(It’s) a perfect example of what I am preaching,” he said. “It’s right on the money.”
Anderson added that his department created one of the first cultural destinations in the U.P., called “The Echo of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” It is a tour that travelers along the shore of Lake Superior from Marquette to Sault Ste. Marie, following the last voyage of the Edmund Fitzgerald.
All these initiatives help with the state’s plan to create an economy that focuses on knowledge, education, technology, innovation and creativity, Anderson said.
He also said he is impressed with the strategic thinking of Marquette officials and that the city is a great example for other communities to learn from.
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