Dearborn is showing lots of love for the arts as community development groups carry out plans to shape the city's identity around creativity and culture.
There is the addition of three new outdoor sculptures to join the eight already on display as part of the
Midwest Sculpture Initiative in the east, west, and center parts of the city. After rounding up interest and determining there is a market in Dearborn, the national nonprofit,
Artspace, is working with the city, development officials, and arts groups to build a live and work space for artists.
The project, now entering the third phase, could be at least two years away from completion. The next step is to find an ideal piece of property. If the goals are accomplished, it would be a magnet for other commercial and residential development.
Pockets of Perception is bringing student art into the public eye, letting them express not only their creativity but learn the nuts of bolts of working with local government and business. A Youth Arts Festival was held earlier this month.
DearbornSoup came to the city in March, putting out the artists welcome sign by sponsoring soup nights where the money paid for soup goes toward sponsoring entrepreneurs in the arts.
The city is also giving a shout-out to the musical arts with the
West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority's Friday Nites in the Park, opening June 17, at Muirhead Plaza each week. Jazz on the Ave, the Wednesday night concerts sponsored by the
East Dearborn DDA, come to Dearborn City Hall Park, starting July 13.
"We've got so much going on," says Melissa Kania of the East Dearborn DDA. "We've just got to get people here and keep them here."
Source: Melissa Kania, spokesperson, East Dearborn Development Authority
Writer: Kim North Shine
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.