Canton Township began investigating the need for a performing Arts Center in April 1996. At that time a committee was established by the Board of Trustees to study the feasibility of building and operating a performing arts center. Then in December of 1998, a small group of interested individuals were invited to participate in formulating a non-profit organization to raise the needed funds. Shortly after this meeting the group named themselves The Partnership for the Arts and Humanities.

The Partnership was successful in raising more than $5 million toward the construction and operation of the Theater. Until recently, the Partnership’s main focus was to help raise funds to support the construction of the Village Theater. The Theater, owned and operated by Canton Township, celebrated its grand opening in the fall of 2004. Since then,Canton Township and the Partnership continue to work together. The Partnership continues to solicit funds through a variety of giving options to support the growth and development of cultural arts at the theater and in the Greater Canton Community.

Partnership grant recipients include: Canton Community Chorus, Canton Concert Band, Comic Opera Guild, Plymouth-Canton Community Schools, Destination Theater, Forever After Productions, Fusion Festival, Michigan Philharmonic, Spotlight Players, Spotlight on Youth, The Village Shakespeare Festival, 8th Wonder, BeckRidge Chorale and TLC Productions. Click on past recipients under our "Grants" website tab to see more details.