Photographer: Stephen McGee
Administered by the College for Creative Studies, Kresge Arts in Detroit represents one aspect of The Kresge Foundation’s investment in the artistic communities of metropolitan Detroit, providing support to artists living and working in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. The Kresge Foundation’s Detroit Program is a comprehensive community development effort to strengthen the long-term economic, social, and cultural fabric of the city and surrounding region.
Since 2008, Kresge Arts in Detroit has awarded more than $6.2 million through 13 Kresge Eminent Artist Awards ($50,000 each), 218 Kresge Artist fellowships ($25,000 each), and 22 Gilda Awards ($5,000 each).
Kresge Arts in Detroit’s first priority during the covid pandemic is to support the safety of the community we proudly call home. For this reason, and in accordance with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and State of Michigan, the Kresge Arts in Detroit office is operating remotely.
Kresge Arts in Detroit believes an equitable and just society ensures individuals of all backgrounds and identities are able to fully thrive. In the visioning, planning, and implementation of the program, we are committed to dismantling the historic and systemic mechanisms of oppression that exist within the arts and culture sector. Utilizing a racial equity lens and anti-oppression approach, we ensure that our work contributes to an environment that, collectively, supports all artists of metro Detroit.
Kresge Arts in Detroit is led by a team of active artists who bring a range of personal, professional, and educational backgrounds to their roles.
Each year, a group of local artists and arts professionals are convened by Kresge Arts in Detroit to review the Kresge Eminent Artist Award nominations and, utilizing the guidelines and selection criteria, select the Kresge Eminent Artist. Panelists are experienced and well-respected for their knowledge of and involvement in the local cultural community. They represent a diversity of artistic disciplines, ages, ethnicities, genders, and professional backgrounds.
From 2013-2018, the Advisory Council, a volunteer group of leaders in the metro Detroit cultural community, selected the Kresge Eminent Artist.
Kresge Artist Fellows are selected by independent panels of distinguished national and local artists and arts professionals. Panelists represent the diversity of artistic styles within the disciplines, as well as diversity of age, ethnicity, gender, and geography.
Kresge Arts in Detroit is generously funded by The Kresge Foundation and administered by the College for Creative Studies. For the first 10 years of the program, Creative Many Michigan designed and delivered a series of professional practice and engagement opportunities for the artists awarded the Kresge Artist Fellowships.
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The Kresge Arts in Detroit team are happy to answer your questions about the artist fellowship program and offer basic assistance throughout the fellowship application season.