One reason for the abundance of art offerings in the Traverse City area is the fine arts community at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. The center is located just 13 miles south of Traverse City. For over seven decades, Interlochen has been a resource for quality arts presentations (currently 750 concerts, visual art exhibits and theater and dance productions annually). The Interlochen Arts Summer Camp and the Interlochen Arts Academy during the academic year are amongst the country's premier training centers for young musicians, dancers, actors, visual artists and writers. More than 2,000 campers age 8 to 18 come from 50 states and 38 foreign countries. The academy's 425 students in grade 9 through post-graduate studies come from 46 states and 17 countries. Their experience stays with them a lifetime, and includes not just the visual and performing arts, but new friends made in a breathtaking environment of pines and rustic cabins between two beautiful lakes. Having access to both the campus and performances is a delight for both visitors and residents of the Traverse City area. Even without a concert ticket, it's worth the drive to the campus to take in the inspiring atmosphere and visit the historic sites. You can walk through the campus and catch the sights and sounds of the gifted young musicians playing their instruments in small practice huts and musical groups of all sizes in the classroom buildings or outside under the trees. Interlochen College of Creative Arts offers adult artists an opportunity to learn and express themselves creatively, through a variety of arts disciplines as well. Except for the few weeks between camp and school terms, the place is busy day and night. Check the calendar of events to see what is going on during your visit. When attending the big name summer concerts, you might want to take advantage of the local restaurateurs who offer picnic fare for concertgoers to enjoy among the pines. Annually, performers include students and faculty as well as guest artists, 500 performances of the summer concert series and 200 plus in the winter. Tickets for the various performances are available through the Interlochen Box Office as well as online at http://tickets.interlochen.org.