Detroit has some pretty impressive pieces of public art, like The Spirit of Detroit, Monument to Joe Louis, and the Alger Fountain just to name a few. By this summer there will be even more pieces around The District Detroit.
This week it was announced that Olympia Development of Michigan and Ilitch Charities have donated $800,000 to the College for Creative Studies (CCS) for the “Art in the District Detroit” program that will allow a group of CCS students to design and create major pieces of public art.
The selected students have received scholarships to go towards a special course that will start this month. The course will involve them doing research, creating concepts for a design, and making physical models.
During the course the students will also collaborate with the community, artists, and architects. By collaborating and engaging with these groups the hope is to create art that will give The District Detroit a special personality.
“The District Detroit represents a transformative effort in the heart of our great city, and public art is an important part of our plan,” said Christopher Ilitch, President and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, Inc. “The College for Creative Studies attracts many of the best, brightest and most talented creative students from around the world, and they are an ideal partner to bring public art to The District Detroit.”
At the end of the semester up to four concepts will be chosen through a juried selection. Those pieces will then be developed into full-scale sculptures.
After the sculptures are picked the students will work with a facility advisor and a third-party to create the pieces. The students and faculty advisor will manage the logistics of manufacturing, shipment, site preparation and installation.
The new public art is anticipated to be installed this summer and fall, before the opening of the new Little Caesars Arena. It’ll be interesting to see what they come up with – we’ll keep you updated as the pieces get installed.