About the Welcoming Interactive
 

The Welcoming Interactive is an annual conference that highlights successful practices and inspiring stories about immigrant inclusion, programs, policies, and partnerships on economic development, civic engagement, government leadership, and more. Attendees learn about local innovations from peer communities and come away with new ideas and energy to foster welcoming places for all.

 

Project Vision
 

This art project is an important part of our annual conference as it is a way for attendees to get creative and participate in the creation of an art piece. After the conference, the final piece will remain with the City of Detroit and be placed at a location of their selection. The vision for the piece changes from year to year and has focused on things such as welcoming youth, and celebrating Welcoming America's 15 year anniversary.

 

For 2025, we suggest using the following themes for inspiration: (1) The overall conference themes of welcoming, inclusion, and belonging (2) Reconnection with a sense of purpose (3) Welcoming the neighbor.
 

Welcoming America is offering $5,000 to a Detroit-area artist to lead this interactive art project. You are expected to purchase materials with the stipend and use it towards your artist pay. As outlined below, you should be prepared to submit an overview description of the project idea, the type of space needed, and how attendees can contribute and engage with the project. We highly encourage immigrant and refugee artists to apply.

Indoors at Huntington Place (1 Washington Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226)
 

May 20-22, 2025. You are expected to be onsite May 21, 8am-5pm and May 22, 8am-12pm.
 

Submission Deadline: February 28, 2025

Artists will be notified by February 28 if their proposal has been accepted or not.

 

Here are some photos from the art project at our 2022 Interactive. And feel free to browse our Flickr albums for more inspiration!