Former Michigan Supreme Court justice named chair-elect of Interlochen Center for the Arts

Butzel Long attorney Kurtis T. Wilder has been elected first vice-chair and chair-elect of the Interlochen Center for the Arts Board of Trustees.

Interlochen, founded in 1928, is located in northwest lower Michigan. Each year, thousands of artists and arts patrons experience world-class educational and cultural opportunities. Students study music, theatre, visual arts, film, creative writing and dance, guided by faculty and guest artists.

“It is important to instill an appreciation for the arts at a young age,” said Wilder. “When students embark on this journey, they discover new interests and talents. Interlochen brings students together from across the globe for the summer Arts Camp and the Arts Academy for an unmatched educational experience that will forever change their lives.

“The Interlochen community also offers extensive educational opportunities for students of any age through the Lifelong Arts Learning Program,” he added. “I look forward to serving in this far-reaching leadership role.”

Wilder is Of Counsel to Butzel Long. He concentrates his practice in litigation and appeals. Wilder served on the Michigan Supreme Court following his appointment by Governor Rick Snyder on May 9, 2017. Prior that time, Wilder served as a judge on the Michigan Court of Appeals from December 1998 to May 2017 and a judge of the Washtenaw County Trial Court from March 1992 to December 1998.

Wilder, the 112th justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, graduated from the University of Michigan with an A.B. degree in Political Science in 1981, and from the University of Michigan Law School with a law degree in 1984.

He has memberships in the Fellows of the Michigan State Bar Foundation; the Federalist Society, Board of Advisors, Lawyers Division-Michigan Chapter; and the Wolverine Bar Association.   

Wilder has served as a member of the Model Criminal Jury Instruction Committee, the Family Division Joint Rules Committee, and the Family Court Implementation Task Force. He is a past president of the Michigan Judges Association, and past chairman of the State Bar Judicial Conference. Wilder also served as the Supreme Court’s liaison for courthouse security.

Wilder  is a former chair of the State of Michigan Community Corrections Advisory Board; former board chair of the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan and Nonprofit Enterprise at Work; former board member of The Sphinx Organization; Rotary Club of Ann Arbor; Ann Arbor Symphony; and, American Red Cross, Washtenaw County Chapter. 

Wilder also serves on the Boards of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Detroit Regional Dollars for Scholars, and The Children’s Foundation. He is an Elder and Chancel Choir member at First Presbyterian Church of Plymouth.