Art Park & Community
The Vision
We believe that artistic professionals spur innovation and economic activity in a community, and therefore that artists themselves should be prioritized when building community programs and spaces in order to grow sustainable groups, neighborhoods, and cities.
With over a decade of moving from space to space, we at 555 understand the struggles of finding options that do not just offer affordable housing and economic development for the area, but really focus on providing resources, community, and support as artists navigate their careers.
The only way we can think to address the problem is to do it ourselves - creating living spaces, studios, programs, and experiences that prioritize artists’ needs above pure economic efficiencies. To do this, we are renovating a large commercial building, an outdoor art park, and a residential home on the East side of Detroit.
Together with the community, we seek to build living and working space for artists, commercial and event space for the community, an outdoor park for events and public art displays, and a Foundry to bring even more talented creators to the area. We envision a permanent safe-haven for artists, prioritizing their needs and building relationships in the community.
Get Involved
We Want You
We believe strong community engagement is crucial for any project to be successful - so we want you to be involved every step of the way, from cleaning, to funding, to simply enjoying the space together. Below are the many ways to contribute to the project and get your voice heard, or your hands dirty!
Volunteer
Whether you are an individual, organization, or corporation, we would love for you to join us as we activate the space. We will need help with everything from cleaning, to construction, to running the Foundry projects.
Donate
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, we appreciate the generosity of our wonderful donors to make our project a success. Your donation will go straight to cleaning and renovating the residency house, art park, or commercial building. If you'd like a donation to go to one particular part of the mission, just let us know and we will set aside the money for the piece you are most passionate about. We are grateful to all who see the vision and help us bring it to fruition.
Book an Event
The Banner Tobacco building was built in 1914 and is enriched with so much history! We are excited to share our space with you for anything from weddings, to corporate gatherings, to concerts, to neighborhood parties and art exhibitions. Just reach out with your ideas and we will work together to make them a reality.
Partner With Us
Interested in owning a space in one of our buildings? Having your cafe or brewery on the first floor? Hosting regular events in the Art Park? Sponsoring our community gallery? All of this and much more is possible as a 555 Partner! We would love to discuss your ideas and how we can work together toward a shared vision.
