The Community Arts Partnerships

The Community Arts Partnerships (CAP) program of the College for Creative Studies reaches out to the Detroit community by providing free art and design classes and resources to youth and their families.

The CAP program develops and maintains partnerships between CCS and dozens of organizations in the metropolitan Detroit community. Partnerships work with educational and community organizations to:

  • Inspire young people from diverse backgrounds to make the visual arts a part of their lives.
  • Bring education in art, design and new technologies to the neighborhoods of Detroit.
  • Inform young people about art and design career opportunities.

The CAP approach to community arts education is based on a visual arts curriculum inspired by art making, team teaching, and team learning. Programs are individually crafted with the host organization.

Programs Include:

  • School and after-school student enrichment programs throughout the Detroit metro area. CAP provides free art classes to more than 4,000 kids from Detroit annually.
  • Public art and neighborhood beautification, including murals and art exhibits.
  • Specialized art and design programs for students and teachers on the CCS campus.
  • Art and design Career Discovery Tours for middle school students.

Basic statistics

CAP’s student-centered programs open doors to the creative opportunities of the 21st century:

  • 4,000
    students served each year
  • 40,000+
    students served since 2001
  • 249
    CAP partnering organizations
  • 100
    CAP programs delivered annually

This activity is supported, in part, by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs

Saturday Arts Academy

College for Creative Studies, in conjunction with The Detroit School of Arts, Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit, and the Detroit Public School Community District, have developed a unique, creative education opportunity for interested, passionate 7th & 8th grade students, to explore the arts alongside Detroit’s masterful art educators and teaching artists. The Saturday Arts Academy will provide Detroit youth safe, focused space to engage in building skills in visual and performing arts; and connect to advanced arts education and career information.

CAP 2020 Exhibition

Get Involved

To participate, please contact

Mikel Bresee
Director, Community Arts Partnerships
313.664.1546

Lynn Blasey
Coordinator, Community Arts Partnerships
313.664.1545