Macomb County has nine communities that are a little brighter because of the murals created through the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)’s Partners in Public Art program. Now more communities can apply to become partners. The DIA announced that applications for the 2025 Partners in Public Art mural program are now open, with a deadline of Sept.
1. Interested communities can apply at dia.org/PIPA .
“The Partners in Public Art program is about more than just creating murals; it is about fostering community through a collaborative public art project,” Julie McFarland, director of community engagement at the DIA said, in a news release. The Partners in Public Art mural program allows communities, organizations, and municipalities in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties to partner with the DIA to create community-driven murals on publicly owned buildings like the New Haven Community Center. What was a drab looking building is now a bright and cheerful landmark created by muralist Chelsea Hensbergen.
“Each project is a unique opportunity to reflect the values and stories of our partner communities,” McFarland added. Once a community is identified for a public mural, the local partners distribute a survey to gather input from residents to identify interests and preferences for a mural in their community. The survey results are then incorporated into the artist’s final design.
For 2024, the DIA has partnered with Clinton Township, Center Line, Harrison Township, and Hazel Pa.