Craig Paul Nowak

I'm a multi-disciplinary visual artist who cares about people. That's how I became the Creative Expressions Program Manager at Gesher Human Services in 2018. For as long as I can remember, I've been the bridge to where creative people want to be. It didn't start at Gesher, but everything I've done has led me to this position.

In 2002 I was awarded The Outstanding Artist Award from Brighton High School. I later earned my BFA (cum laude) from The College for Creative Studies. While in college, I connected people with their creative passions by managing galleries and serving on the student government.

After graduating, I exhibited my art throughout the United States and Europe. My paintings were published extensively in magazines, I was awarded several artist residencies, including one with the City of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and another with Red Bull House of Art in Detroit. In 2014, I was awarded the Real Detroit Weekly "Best Local Artist" Award.

I became an independent art teacher in 2016 before being hired by Community Arts Partnership to teach at-risk youth in Detroit and adults with mental health challenges in the suburbs. Teaching a plein air painting class for Kadima Mental Health Services through Community Arts Partnership is what eventually became a full time position at Gesher Human Services. Before Kadima merged with JVS Human Services, I received an Employee of the Year award for the work I've done with Creative Expressions participants. 

During that time, I've never stopped making art. I was recently honored with the President's Award from the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center's 2024 Michigan Fine Arts Competition for my painting 'Notes and Observations'. In 2024 I was appointed to be a Commissioner in the Farmington/Farmington Hills Arts Commission. I was a featured in Grand Rapids' 2024 ARTPRIZE with a large installation of cast faces. And last year I was honored to be the 2024 Nancy Coumoundouros Distinguished Service to The Arts Award recipient.

EXPERIENCE

February 2024 - Present 

Arts Commissioner

City of Farmington/Farmington Hills

Farmington Cultural Arts Division

Responsibilities

• Make executive decisions on behalf of the City of Farmington and Farmington Hills regarding arts-related acquisitions, commissions, public performances, art installations, and publications

October 2018 - Present

Creative Expressions Program Manager

Gesher Human Services

Certification

• CPR and First Aid (2024)
• Incompass Michigan, Leadership Academy for non-profit business management (2024)

Committees

• Curatorial Committee (Founding member and Chair): Provide agency-wide direction regarding fine art selection, acquisition, and installation. The committee also manages a comprehensive database of available artwork.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to HIPPAA guidelines while coaching artists, musicians, and writers with disabilities, in the preparation and completion of personal arts projects (i.e. art exhibitions, business start-ups, printed books, performances, and art fairs)
• Assemble and meet regularly with a committee of community stakeholders and program participants to ensure programming remains relevant and specialized community resources remain available for program use
• Develop and sustain partnerships with creative community stakeholders like Detroit Symphony Orchestra, College for Creative Studies, Matrix Theatre, and Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center
• Write and negotiate contracts in collaboration with teaching artists, community partners, and agency leadership
• Manage program finances, budget, and grant reports in partnership with agency advancement and accounting teams
• Assist in the development of SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) as they pertain to the daily operations of the Creative Expressions Program
• Manage an ongoing class schedule of enrichment, experiences, and professional practice classes in music, visual arts, performing arts, and literary arts, serving an average of 100 participants per year
• Plan, prepare, present, and host annual arts and music fundraising events and capstones, in partnership with community stakeholders
• Regularly review effectiveness of program operations via SMART goal results, verified outputs and outcomes, response to public capstones, fundraisers, or events, and stakeholder satisfaction surveys
• Represent the agency, its artists, and its arts programs on television, radio, and print media
• Manage the day-to-day operations of a brick-and-mortar studio space

May 2006 - Present

Professional Fine Artist 

Craig Paul Nowak 

Responsibilities

• Manage the ongoing career and professional practices of a working artist (i.e. Produce paintings, sculpture, drawings, and prints, maintain brand identity, ensure community/patron/collector relationships are active and supporter needs are met, prep and prepare art for exhibition/installation, manage art sales and sales methods, oversee website design and development, maintain regular PR and public communications, write creative, theoretical, and biographical text about art and artist)

Residencies & Apprenticeships

• 2012 Artist Residency, Red Bull House of Art, (Oct. - Dec.), Detroit, MI
• 2011 Stone Sculpting Apprenticeship, Somers Randolph, (Sept. 2011-12), Santa Fe, NM
• 2008 Artist Residency, Mano y Mente (Sept.- Nov.), Tularosa, NM
• 2008 Artist Residency, Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs (April), Chicago, IL

Noteworthy Commissions

• 2017 Oil painting (21’x8’), Henry Ford Academy (College for Creative Studies’ Taubman Center)
• 2016 Mosaic (20’x5’), private client, Miami, FL
• 2008 Mural (4 @ 22’x8’), Rice Child and Family Center, Evanston, IL
• 2007 Oil Painting (4’x5’), private client, Chicago, IL

July 2005 - Present                

Independent Curator

Craig Paul Nowak

Responsibilities

• Artist/Stakeholder relations, exhibition prep and management, present and install art, academic research, promotion, audience education

Accomplishments

• 2016 Re-Semblance (Curated exhibition), Red Bull House of Art, Detroit, MI
• 2006 Hip Hop’s Influence on Art (Curated exhibition), Flint Institute of Arts Museum, Flint, MI

August 2017 - December 2019

Teaching Artist

Community Arts Partnership

College for Creative Studies

Responsibilities

• Teach art to inner-city youth and special-needs adults (i.e. mural painting, product design, fashion design, plein air painting, drawing fundamentals)
• Develop and organize class structures, lesson plans, and curriculum
• Help plan and install annual student exhibitions

Accomplishments

• 2019 Lead artist, Murals (2 @ 300’x16’ each), overpasses near Cesar Chavez High School, Detroit, MI
•  2018 Lead artist, Murals (4 @ 24’x8’ each), in Hamtramck People’s Community Services, Hamtramck, MI

December 2017 - December 2019

Drawing Instructor

City of Farmington/Farmington Hills

Farmington Cultural Arts Division

Responsibilities

• Devise and organize class structures, lesson plans, and curriculum
• Teach pencil and charcoal drawing
• Teach visual art techniques during summer camp
   

March 2013 - October 2015

Construction / Painting Contractor

Arisco Contracting Group Inc.

Responsibilities

• Adhere to OSHA standards while painting and power wash building exteriors, using scaffolding and ladders (up to 36’)
• Operate equipment such as boom lifts (34’-86’ extensions), large-format construction forklifts, swing stages, and suspended scaffolding
• Drive a truck and trailer to and from work sites while transporting construction equipment

December 2011 – December 2012   

Gallery Manager

Art Effect Gallery

Responsibilities

• Gallery management, exhibition development, residency coordination, event host, customer service, sales management, collector and patron relations, public relations, exhibition installation, photographic documentation

June 2005 – June 2006        

Gallery Manager

U245 Student Gallery

College for Creative Studies

Responsibilities

• Work closely with college-level students to develop a holistic interdepartmental exhibition season involving all College for Creative Studies pedagogy

EDUCATION

2006 

BFA/Fine Arts

College for Creative Studies, Detroit, MI