Detroit Program

Kresge Arts in Detroit

We believe a thriving arts and cultural community – one that is well supported and well recognized – enriches the quality of life for residents and visitors to Southeastern Michigan and, in doing so, inspires new thinking, spurs innovation and accelerates the creative vitality of the region.

Kresge Arts in Detroit is our name for a three-part effort – Kresge Artist Fellowships, Kresge Eminent Artist Award and Kresge Arts Support – that is designed to support and develop individual artists, arts and cultural organizations and arts-infrastructure groups in metropolitan Detroit’s Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. Each is described below, along with links to more information about eligibility requirements, the application process and the awarding of grant money.

Kresge Community Arts is part of a national pilot program designed to encourage residents in five cities – Detroit, Michigan; St. Louis, Missouri; Baltimore, Maryland; Tucson, Arizona; and Birmingham, Alabama – to use art and culture as a tool to address issues in their communities. For more information, visit the Kresge Community Arts page linked above.

Kresge Artist Fellowships

Kresge Artist Fellowships seek to advance the art forms and professional careers of artists from the visual, performing and literary arts as well as elevate the profile of the artistic community and encourage creative expression in the region. Each year, Kresge will provide funding for 18 fellowships of $25,000 each, which are awarded to artists living and working in metropolitan Detroit. The Artist Fellowships are administered by the Detroit-based College for Creative Studies, one of the nation’s leading art and design educational institutions. Professional development services for the fellows is provided by ArtServe Michigan, an organization dedicated to promoting and cultivating Michigan’s arts and cultural sector. For more information, visit Kresge Artist Fellowships.

Kresge Eminent Artist Award

Kresge Eminent Artist Award recognizes an exceptional artist for his or her professional achievements and contributions to the cultural community, and encourages that individual’s pursuit of a chosen art form as well as an ongoing commitment to metropolitan Detroit. Each year, one highly accomplished individual will be presented with the award which includes a $50,000 prize. This award is administered by the Detroit-based College for Creative Studies, one of the nation’s leading art and design educational institutions. For more information, visit Kresge Eminent Artist Award.

Kresge Arts Support

Kresge Arts Support provides unrestricted operating support to small, mid-size and large organizations in the performing, visual and literary arts, and to institutions engaged in arts service, education and broadcasting. This support is intended to assist nonprofit organizations in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb Counties achieve operational sustainability and increase the opportunities for cultural and artistic expression among residents of the region. Arts Support grants are administered by the Kresge Foundation. For more information, visit Kresge Arts Support.

Kresge Arts in Detroit represents one of five strategic objectives set forth in the foundation’s Detroit Program, a comprehensive community-development effort to strengthen the long-term economic, social and cultural fabric of the city and surrounding region.

If you have questions, e-mail the Grants Inquiry Coordinator or call 248-643-9630.

Photo Credit: Patrick Daly