Like the automobiles that made it famous, Detroit hums with ceaseless creative energy. And there’s no better month to tune in to this energy than September, when more than 100 events and experiences enliven venues across the city for the Detroit Month of Design.
The festival is orchestrated by Design Core Detroit, an organization founded in 2010 by Business Leaders for Michigan in partnership with the College for Creative Studies. Kiana Wenzell, Design Core’s co-executive director, says the goal was to provide resources and a unified platform for the city’s design community.
“We know that Detroit is a global creative capital,” she says, citing specifically the region’s many contributions to the design world — in the areas of industry, advertising, fine craft, technology, engineering, the arts, and more. “But there was no organization that was unifying that activity into one platform or singular, unifying message.”
In terms of solidifying Detroit’s global design reputation, Design Core knew it was on the right track in 2015, when the organization secured the United States’ first (and still only) UNESCO City of Design designation after a yearlong application process.
UNESCO — known for its World Heritage Site designation — launched the Creative Cities Network in 2004 not only to protect but also to strengthen cities whose identities center on creativity. There are seven Creative City categories: crafts and folk art, design, film, gastronomy, literature, media arts, and music.
The annual Month of Design is another important way Design Core organizes and unifies what Wenzell calls Detroit’s “creative economy.” She adds, “The mission of the Detroit Month of Design is to connect designers with each other, with audiences, and with opportunities. Our hope is that attendees come to the festival and go away knowing something new, … and we want Detroit designers to be on the top of [buyers’] minds … for the next opportunity.”
The festival has an even broader impact on the city; Wenzell notes visitors might come to Detroit for an exhibition and “have dinner beforehand, or go have some drinks after, and then stop at this retail store and pick up a spontaneous gift.”
This year’s Month of Design theme is “Creative Currents,” paying tribute to the city’s legacy of artistry and innovation. On their website you can navigate
the calendar by topic, like architecture or fashion, or by category, such as exhibitions, workshops, or open studios. Events include open studios at the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Pewabic Pottery, celebrations such as What Up Doe Fest and Art Clvb’s Detroit Art Fair, programming at Newlab at Michigan Central highlighting design innovation, a behind-the-scenes look at Carhartt, and an open house at Rossetti.
The Detroit Month of Design calendar was still being finalized as we went to press, but some event dates were posted (see below). Almost all of the programing is free. For updated listings, go to detroitmonthofdesign.org.
The Albert Kahn Sonata (Sept. 6, 8 p.m.; Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit): A short film and piano performance celebrating the work of legendary architect Albert Kahn, composed by Michael Kropf and performed by Forrest Howell.
For the Love Of (Sept. 7, 7-8 p.m.; Cadieux Stage, 4925 Cadieux Road, Detroit): This runway show highlights three local fashion designers, each meditating on the theme of Detroit’s passion for craftmanship in their work.
The ISAIC and Carhartt Fashion Experience (Sept. 11, 4:30-6:30 p.m.; Carhartt Workshop, 5800 Cass Ave., Detroit): Get a behind-the-scenes tour and demos from the beloved workwear brand, along with shopping, food, and live music.
Eastern Market After Dark (Sept. 19, 6-11 p.m.; Eastern Market, Detroit): This Month of Design favorite brings live music, open studios, a night market, and lots of energy to the beloved Eastern Market neighborhood.
This story originally appeared in the September 2024 issue of Hour Detroit magazine. To read more, pick up a copy of Hour Detroit at a local retail outlet. Our digital edition will be available on Sept. 6.
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