project leader
Michigan Avenue Business Association (MABA) .
location
25th and Michigan Ave
(Core City Neighborhood)
latest update rss
Thank you & photos!

the project

Help us raise funds to secure public art billboard space for July & August and provide an honorarium to local artists through the Michigan Avenue Billboard Art Collective Project!

The Michigan Avenue Billboard Art Collective Project is a collaboration of community partners whose aim is to broaden the reach of public art, especially for those whom traditional art exhibitions have proven inaccessible. We are dedicated to the belief that art ignites change and has the power to transform public spaces, neighborhoods, and commercial corridors.

We are thrilled to announce a community partnership with Southwest Solutions will allow us to activate the vacant lot at 25th & Michigan Avenue in Southwest Detroit, provide billboard art sponsorship for the month of June, as well as provide for an artist(s) honorarium.

Holding House Artspace, located on the adjacent corner to the project, recently put out a call for art and accepted submissions from local artists interested in the unique opportunity to display their work alongside historic, Michigan Avenue. The response and quality of art work received was amazing!  We began to consider, rather than being a one-off, how could we make a bigger impact by programming the site throughout the Summer and provide an opportunity to even more local artists? 

the steps

Here's where you come in! We are reaching out to our friends, neighbors, and the greater Detroit community to become a part of the positive momentum being created along Michigan Avenue. 100% of your commitment will go toward securing the use of the billboard space for July & August and providing an honorarium to the winning artists, who will be selected with input of neighboring community members.

We have just three weeks to reach our target goal of $2,600! Please consider joining our efforts by contributing today!!

why we're doing it

The Michigan Avenue Business Association (MABA) is focused on the 3.5 mile section of Michigan Avenue anchored by I96 to the East and Wyoming to the West. We are a group of resilient business owners and community stakeholders commited to creating a more vibrant Michigan Avenue. The Michigan Avenue Billboard Art Collective Project specifically aims to focus positive attention and energy to this underutilized and often overlooked stretch of Michigan Avenue and the adjacent Core City & Chadsey-Condon neighborhoods. We thank you for your support!

budget

Disbursed Budget (as of 6.22.17):



RAISED = $2,713.00
 less ioby Platform Fee  $35.00
less ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $78.00
TOTAL TO DISBURSE = $2,600.00

Updated Budget (as of 6.19.17):

Pricing has been updated (favorably) for our project and we need $2,600 for this project versus $3,000.



Project Subtotal =  $2,600
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $78
Total to raise on ioby = $2,713

Original budget:

$2000 Billboard 

$1000 for the Artist Honorarium 



Project Subtotal =  $3,000
ioby Platform Fee  $35
ioby Donation Processing Fee (3%) $90
Total to raise on ioby = $3,125

 

updates

Thank you & photos!

Greetings Friends!
 

We are delighted to share how your contribution to our public art projects have helped transform vacant lot liabilities into community assets along Michigan Avenue in southwest Detroit. Please take a moment to check out the slideshow we have put together for your enjoyment!
 
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B7p_KTljiTWFaHpORW9LSkR0LUk
 

These pictures tell the story of so many wonderful people who have helped us implement a public art and lot activation strategy along historic Michigan Avenue that is beginning to take shape. Together we are building momentum!
 
And, people are noticing! Check out this terrific piece about the Michigan Avenue Billboard Art Collective Project in last Sunday's Detroit Free Press.

http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2017/08/06/billboard-art-michigan-avenue-detroit/515998001/


We have a mantra here at the Michigan Avenue Business Association (MABA) -   Sustainability happens when we make small things happen continuously. Thank you, for helping make a difference in our small corner of the world and creating a more vibrant Michigan Avenue.
 
Kindest regards,
 
MABA
 

Our story on ioby's blog!

by ioby
June 23, 2017
 

Did you know that there are currently about 50,000 vacant residential properties in Detroit? If you add commercial spaces and storefronts to the list, that number skyrockets to 80,000. That’s about 25 square miles of vacant and blighted property, out of the 139 square miles that make up the city. Which tells us something about how dire the situation has been, and for how long.

But what do you hear, when you hear these numbers? We hear possibility.

So does Daniel Commer, Detroit native and acting director at Detroit’s Michigan Avenue Business Association. He believes that Detroit has a unique opportunity to learn from other cities where gentrification has spelled the end of diversity and liveability. One of the first challenges he took on, after joining the association, was to go door to door along the Avenue, meet every single business owner in person, and put out a survey that would help him understand what factors were holding folks back. “The number one response we received was ‘vacancy and blight are detracting from the area’s safety and appearance,’” explains Commer....click here to continue reading.

 

Michigan Avenue Billboard Art Collective - June Design Winner: 'Insignificant Landscape' - Martin Winters

photos

This is where photos will go once we build flickr integration

donors

  • Southwest Solutions
  • Ellen Roberds
  • Christina Webb - ioby!
  • KC
  • Anonymous
  • Jennifer Reinhardt
  • Steve and Libby
  • Anonymous
  • Lena + Adam Selzer
  • Cheryl and Wayne Kulikowski
  • The 2017 Bowman
  • Southwest Housing Solutions NHL Playoff Pool Runner-Up
  • Prince Valley Market
  • Ryan Michael Dinkgrave
  • Anonymous
  • Timothy T.
  • Carolyn Commer
  • Steve E.
  • Anonymous
  • Timothy Haunert
  • Holding House
  • Emily Commer
  • Matt
  • Brian Commer
  • Bonnie Fahoome
  • Joe Rashid
  • Anonymous
  • Dan R.
  • KM Planning Studio
  • Carl & Kathy
  • Kent Commer
  • timothy mattimore
  • Ed and LeAnn van Hees
  • Carrie Ann
  • Dan Commer