Providing resources for kids, improving mental health, supporting entrepreneurial activities, and connecting with family and friends – these are just a few examples of how the monthly payments changed the lives of 100 Ann Arbor residents and their communities. Six University of Michigan student artists illustrated quotes from guaranteed income recipients about what the money meant to them.
Scroll to view the art pieces as well as the quotes from guaranteed income recipient that inspired the illustrations. Click on an image to take a closer look at the art.
"Making this little art center (for my daughter) I think has been a nice thing. Buying that was a couple hundred dollars. ... I feel like being able to earmark some of that money for something like that is really meaningful. It buys us a lot of peace and happiness and improvement and skill and everything like that. That's another way to bring you all together in that kind of creative space." - GIG A2 participant
2026, oil paint and mixed media on canvas
Artist Emma Ostermeyer is pursuing a BA in Art and Design ('26)
emmaostermeyer.myportfolio.com
"There was one day when I was feeling ... very down, and I wanted to just stay in the house. And I remember ... there was a saying: days that you feel like that, push out, get out. ... I went to Meijer and packed (my cooler) with all types of food, ice and everything, and (I) just sat at the park and worked ... on a blanket, and it felt so good. It's just something so simple, just in the sunlight you know away from people and it was just so peaceful." - GIG A2 participant
2026, oil paint on canvas
Artist Lila Hudgins is pursuing a BA in Art History (‘26)
"Now that I have the sort of safety net ... I can actually work on projects that are going to generate more business-related income. So specifically that's meant actually writing sheet music or publishing books or doing things that generate a certain level of passive income." - GIG A2 participant
2026, acrylic on canvas
Artist Mia Echlin is pursuing a BA in Law, Justice, and Social Change + Urban Studies (‘28)
"When (my sister) got her apartment, I made ... (her) a queen size afghan for her bed. And she loved it. And it was just monumental because she … was on (drugs) for a long time and now she's just now starting to slow down. She's getting into plants. I gave her plants and she loves (the afghan) ... It just makes me feel good. I'm just so happy that she's clean." - GIG A2 participant
2026, oil paint on canvas
Artist Victoria Sung is pursuing an MS in Information and UX Design (‘27)
sungvictoria.com
"It costs a lot, a babysitter. And I felt kind of like ... we're doing this because we really need it. We finally found the right person that's up for the job and that was very good for us and it went well for my kids. And so that was a positive thing for them too." - GIG A2 participant
2026, watercolor and ink on paper
Artist Lauren Parker is pursuing an MPP ('26)
"There were thousands of kids that auditioned (for a singing opportunity ) and (my son) got selected, and now he's able to go and do this really super cool thing with all these people from all over the world." - GIG A2 participant
2026, digital art
Artist Mrinaalika Sivakumar is pursuing an MPP ('27)
The art will be displayed in the Ann Arbor community at the following locations:
Greenhills School: May 18 - 22 (open only to the Greenhills community)
Ann Arbor Artist Studios, 4844 Jackson Rd, Ann Arbor: May 30 - June 26
The public is welcome at a reception at Ann Arbor Artist Studios from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 30. No Strings artist facilitator Katie Hammond will be interviewed by exhibit curator Lauren Slagter. See more information.
Ann Arbor Downtown Library - screen in the lobby, 343 S. Fifth Ave., Ann Arbor: June 1 - July 24
No Strings also was featured at the Guaranteed Income Now conference in Austin, Texas, in May. It previously was displayed at YORK in Ann Arbor.
