The Evolution of a Detroit Cultural District.
The ArtPlace America award to revitalize Livernois Avenue represents a point in the evolution of one of Detroit’s most important cultural and business districts. As we reflect upon all the hard work that has been done prior to receiving our grant, it’s hard to ignore the work done by many over the decades. Places like Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, America’s oldest operating Jazz Club, opened on Livernois in 1933 and still operates today. Jo’s Gallery, a second-generation art gallery, offers a venue for fine African American artists from the neighborhood and around America. We’re incredibly fortunate that we have the opportunity to work with the organizations that started it all. Now it’s time for this generation to write the next chapter in our history.
Our project began with a celebration. REVOLVE and the Detroit Collaborative Design Center at the University of Detroit Mercy collaborated to launch the Livernois Community Storefront at 19410 Livernois on May 31st and June 1st. The event was well received and sparked a lot of excitement amongst the hundreds who came. Attendees included many local storeowners, residents, vendors, artists, and community leaders. Since the opening, many events have taken place to keep the space active and connected including Livernois Soup, morning yoga, pottery sessions, and theatre performances. The feedback from the community has been remarkable and the neighborhood’s engagement has been increasing in and around the Livernois Community Storefront.
On June 4th, the REVOLVE Detroit website was launched (www.RevolveDetroit.com) and a call for entries for artists and entrepreneurs for pop-up and permanent retail and art installations on the Ave was released. Properties tours have been held every Friday in the month of June for anyone looking to submit a proposal or anyone who would like to know more about REVOLVE’s efforts on Livernois. A community review panel is being assembled to assist in the reviewing of proposals. Punch lists are being created and contractors are being engaged to help improve properties as we prepare for the installations.
Three recent press releases highlighting the project include: