The City of Grand Rapids and the surrounding region have a long-standing history of diversity and various cultural traditions dating back from early explorers and fur traders, to modern day cultural rituals from new residents of the region. To celebrate this heritage, the Grand Rapids Public Museum hosts the annual Cultural Heritage Festival.

The festival brings in cultural organizations throughout West Michigan to share with the community their background, connection to West Michigan, and the country they represent.  This is done with visual presentations, music, art, food, and more.  

Additionally, the Museum hosts a core exhibition with a primary focus on diversity and culture: Newcomers: The People of This Place which highlights the ethnic groups that have settled the Grand Rapids area. Currently, Anishinabek: The People of this Place which focuses on the Native American culture in the region, is closed for rennovations, but you can find Anishinaabe stories on the walls on third floor across from the Driggs Skylark Biplane and via projections on the third floor’s Michigan Map, at the top of the stairs.