Natives and Pioneers: A Panel Discussion Exploring Art & Gentrification

February 26, 2015

March 27, 5:30 — 7:30 pm (5:30 reception; discussion 6 — 7:30 pm)
The Carr Center, Detroit, MI

As part of an ongoing collaboration with the Carr Center, the University of Michigan Stamps School of Art & Design hosts a panel discussion exploring the topic of art and gentrification. This panel discussion is in conjunction with an online series on this topic created through a partnership between the Stamps School and the arts and culture journal ∞ mile (Infinite Mile).

With an emerging narrative of an ascending “new Detroit,” it seems relevant to pose questions concerning the relationship between art and gentrification. To posit art and artists as merely a trojan horse for development ignores that some artists engage in work that impacts the city in socially beneficial and integrated ways.
As in most community building work, two groups, native and pioneers, are working towards similar goals. Yet the platforms, megaphones and resources may be very different. How does our work as artists integrate into the fabric of gentrification? How can/do natives and pioneers work together and when do they clash? At the end of the day is there short term and long term space for both?

Also in discussion: does art inherently support gentrification? Does art have a role in countering gentrification? Art quite often receives critique for supporting and/or inducing gentrification. But behind gentrification are also a number of different actors connected tangentially if not directly to the production of art. The various actors include but are not limited to policy makers, urban planners, architects, businesses and developers.

The panel includes these diverse voices to explore this timely issue:

Moderator: Francis Grunow
Panelists:
Rick Lowe, Founder and Director of Project Row Houses, Houston
Michael Forsyth, Revolve Detroit
Richard Hosey, developer
Rebecca Mazzei, Director of Trinosophes and Former art critic, Detroit Metro Times
Marsha Music, music writer

Free and open to the public. For more info contact Nick Tobier, Stamps School of Art & Design, University of Michigan

Sponsored by the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, University of Michigan