Erickson Center for the Arts

During the summer of 2002 Richard Erickson and Harlan Maurer met with community members and organizations and concluded there was a need to provide the community with additional educational, cultural and physical activity opportunities. For twenty-six years, through the cooperation of property owners Clarence & Velma Walsh, the Curtis community had the use of a forty acre parcel of land on the west end of Curtis. The “Walsh property” was identified as being a key in reaching this goal. This property has now been secured for the perpetual use of the Curtis community. The funding for the property and Erickson Center was made possible through the generosity of Richard and Nancy Erickson of Curtis, Michigan.

The organization was originally founded as the “Curtis Community Arts Council, Incorporated” in 2002 and has since changed its DBA name to the Erickson Center for the Arts. The band shelter/outdoor stage, nature trails and outdoor ice rink were built in 2004. Volunteers continued to work tirelessly to develop the organization’s structure, revenue streams, programs and events over the next several years.

The grand opening of the Erickson Center was held in June 2008. It includes a large open facility which overlooks South Manistique Lake. The Waterfront Gallery & Gifts located in the Arts & Education Level opened in June 2012 and is open to the public during regular business hours.