Mark your calendars for the Detroit event of the summer. The largest, free, family-friendly music and cultural event is July 15-20 in Detroit and CCS is proud to be a part of it! This year, along with its homebase at the Detroit Institute of Arts and events throughout Midtown’s cultural institutions, the festival also returns for one special day to the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre to honor the theatre’s 40 year anniversary. A daylong DJ set by Detroit’s Divine 5 madams outside at the CCS Sculpture Garden is also new and will take place on Sunday, July 20, from 2-7 p.m.

In true Concert of Colors tradition, this year’s festival brings top artists from their respective countries, plus some of Detroit’s best performers, to the Motor City for shows and children and youth events that are always free.

Femi Kuti of Nigeria, Bab L’ Bluz of Morocco, Detroiter Don Was and Chicago blues star Mavis Staples headline. Bollywood dancing and singing; Reggae, Latin pop, African dance and drumming, Ethiopian and Moroccan modern music and jazz, Arab and Turkish sounds, as well as Detroit garage, blues, experimental and pop are part of the show. The full lineup is below and can be found via www.concertofcolors.com

Locations of free entertainment this year include: inside and outside Detroit Institute of Arts, Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre, Michigan Science Center, Detroit Historical Society/Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Sosnick Courtyard outside the DSO, Scarab Club, Hellenic Museum of Michigan, The James and Grace Lee Boggs Center, College for Creative Studies, Third Man Records, Spotlight Detroit.

“This year’s theme is “Get Up, Stand up for your rights.” Fans have asked for years to host the festival at current locations but also back at the Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre and in true Concert of Colors style, we listen to what people want and try to provide it all for the love of free music,” Ahmed said. “Our goal has always been to let the people make the decisions, so this year you can listen to artists like Mavis Staples with her big beautiful voice right on the Detroit Riverfront; it’s the perfect backdrop for a Detroit summer evening.

“Also at the DIA, we’ve heard from fans and in response have greatly expanded our children’s entertainment and activities, vendors selling global wares and crafts from around the world and Detroit, and we are bringing back the information booth section for nonprofit organizations so people can learn about causes that interest them and how to participate, if they choose.”

Concert of Colors attracts thousands of people into Midtown annually who support local business. The festival has never wavered from providing free music to residents of Detroit. To bring major names to a free event is no easy feat as funding comes from grants, foundations and private donations. Corporate sponsorships have dwindled over the years. Last year however, the State of Michigan for the first time granted funds to the festival, seeing its economic value to the region as the largest free music fest in the Midwest.

“Not only does Concert of Colors host the largest names of artists of their genres like Femi Kuti of Nigeria, we also believe in highlighting and supporting Detroit’s top emerging and established top artists,” said Salort-Pons. “The DIA is proud to be the homebase of Concert of Colors once again because we greatly believe in free, world-class programming for everyone.”

Detroit artists include power trio Shadow Show – three women who perform modern garage psychedelic sounds; Mariachi Femenil Detroit – an all-woman Mariachi band; Sean Blackman, Victor Ghannam and Dave McMurray together performing Eastern Jazz; and Emmy Award winner Mike-E curating a “Detroit to Ethiopia’ performance where he will be surrounded by Ethiopia’s top musicians, but doing it Detroit style.

Don Was Detroit Allstar Revue this year is tributing Don’s favorite blues songs.

“The Concert of Colors is a unifying event that exemplifies everything wonderful about Detroit,” Was said. “This year’s All Star Revue will celebrate the vibrant musical legacy of Detroit Blues so you know we’re going to have fun! I look forward to seeing all of our friends there.”

This year WDET will broadcast live from the festival throughout the week along with Don Was and Ann Delisi hosting their popular “Motor City Playlist” the festival.

Concert of Colors at the DIA includes two outdoor stages, a large children’s tent, music and film inside the DIA’s Detroit Film Theatre including a whirling dervish from Turkey; Eastern jazz at the Scarab Club, dance lessons and exhibits at Michigan Science Center, experimental sounds at Third Man Records, a freedom discussion at Spotlite Detroit presented by the Arab American National Museum, live music at the DSO and Detroit Historical Society and Museum among others.

The upbeat, six-day festival showcases Detroit’s top cultural institutions while aiming to unite southeast Michigan’s diverse communities and ethnic groups through music, dance and art from around the world. Its goal is to create a dialogue where participants embrace freedom of expression. Over its significant 34 year history, Concert of Colors has strategically grown into a celebrated, beloved Detroit summer festival – one of the few remaining large-scale, free-admission music festivals in the nation. Every year, the anticipation of who will perform in the lineup creates excitement among music fans of all ages.

Concert of Colors was originally launched by New Detroit Inc., and Detroit’s Cultural Exchange Network (CEN)- both which still exist today – with Ahmed as the festival’s executive director. It was founded in response to the 1982 racial murder of Chinese American Vincent Chin. The inaugural festival drew a modest crowd to Detroit’s then-Chene Park on the Detroit River, but by 1999, tens of thousands of attendees were coming out each year. The festival expanded to three days in 2001, when it was part of the official festivities for Detroit’s 300th birthday, drawing an audience of 100,000. In 2019, the concert expanded to nine festive days. The festival went virtual during Covid-19 with bands from around the world performing from their respective countries attracting huge online audiences worldwide. Today it is live again and always free and evolving.

Concert of Colors is made possible by its partners Culture Source, the Detroit Institute of Arts, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, WDET 101.9 FM, WTVS-DPTV, ACCESS/Arab American National Museum, International Institute, Michigan Science Center, Kresge Artists, Michigan.com, the University of Michigan Detroit Center, Detroit Historical Society/Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Marx Layne & Co., Scarab Club, Hellenic Museum of Michigan, the City of Detroit Department of Arts, Culture & Entrepreneurship, Visit Detroit,, The James and Grace Lee Boggs Center, Third Man Records. Arts & Scraps, WHFR.FM, College for Creative Studies, The LowRiders of Detroit and West Indian Caribbean and Carnival Association.

Generous Sponsors include Kresge Foundation, DTE Foundation, Wayne State University, Utopia Gardens, Mark Bernstein and Rachel Bendit, Zingerman’s, AARP, University of Michigan Arts Initiative, Arts Midwest, Henry Ford Health, Carr Center, Margot European Spa.

As the festival has always remained free, the event is created through donations, grants, sponsors, partners, and volunteers. Individual contributions, corporations, or nonprofit organizations who want to support music and art can donate via the Concert of Colors website. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. To donate, visit https://www.concertofcolors.com/donate.

For more information, visit www.concertofcolors.com Facebook.com/concertofcolors Instagram: @concertofcolors

College for Creative Studies (CCS) student Eli Archer tapped into his Hoosier heritage as the 20-year-old sophomore from Indiana emerged victorious in the 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Official Poster Competition on Wednesday, April 2. Archer’s colorful creation captured the thrill of racing on the Streets of Downtown Detroit while highlighting the Grand Prix’s connection to the local community and the summertime vibe of the Motor City.

The final judging of the annual student poster competition took place at the CCS A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education in Downtown Detroit, where a distinguished panel of judges selected Archer’s design from the five final contenders. The winning artwork will be refined over the next few weeks before the official poster is revealed on Tuesday, May 6. The 2025 commemorative poster will be available for purchase online at www.DetroitGP.com in advance of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, May 30-June 1.

The 2025 design competition represents the 13th consecutive year of collaboration between the Grand Prix and CCS, offering students at Detroit’s renowned art and design college the opportunity to create the official poster for the city’s annual summer racing festival. This competition is more than a showcase of artistic talent – it embodies the power of art to unite communities, celebrate diversity and provide a platform for CCS students to express their unique and shared experiences.

“We are so excited to celebrate the 13th year of our unique collaboration with the College for Creative Studies and we are honored to build on the tradition of the Official Grand Prix commemorative poster and provide opportunities for young talented artists to shine,” said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix and one of the judges of the annual competition. “Eli’s poster design captures the personality of Detroit, along with the fun and the excitement of the Grand Prix.”

All five student finalists in the competition presented their poster designs to the eight-member judging panel on Wednesday as the aspiring artists each described their vision and process behind their creations. Judges included Denker, Raphael Zammit, Chair of the Graduate Transportation Design program at CCS; Ryan Root, Performance, Motorsports and Accessories Designer for General Motors; Erika Cryderman, Senior Marketing Specialist for Lear Corporation; Bobby Keyes, Vice President of the Detroit Sports Media Association; Neal Rubin, columnist for the Detroit Free Press, Genna Barner, Page Designer for the Detroit News and FOX2 Detroit news anchor and reporter Amy Lange.

Detroit Grand Prix fans also factored into the selection process. The top five designs were posted on the Detroit GP social media platforms as followers were encouraged to vote for their favorite design. Fan voting was factored into the decision of the on-site judges to determine the results of the competition.

Archer’s winning poster design featured a young woman roller skating through the streets of Detroit while waving checkered flags for both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES car and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship prototype racing on the Grand Prix circuit in front of a cheering crowd and the GM Renaissance Center.

“I just thought roller skating was a different way to incorporate the cars into the design. I wanted this poster to personify Detroit and reflect Detroit in the cars and the cars into the race,” said Archer, who is from Zionsville, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis. “I’m so shocked to win this competition, especially seeing how strong the designs were from the other competitors. This was such a fun process and I really liked learning about the history of the Detroit Grand Prix and what it means to the city.”

The five finalists were students from the CCS Digital Illustration class, led by instructor Brian Kotulis. CCS, a renowned art and design college in Midtown Detroit, attracts some of the nation’s top illustration and design talent. Each spring, the Grand Prix provides these students with a platform to showcase their skills through the annual poster design competition, which is integrated into their class curriculum.

Archer’s design won in a close competition with the second-place entry designed by CCS student Robin Contreras, while the artwork created by Luca Olgren came in third place to complete the poster podium. Students Jacob Nguyen and David Klink earned honorable mention recognition for their poster designs.

This hands-on experience allows students to work with a real “client” and produce a final professional product. The competition not only fosters creativity but also upholds the Grand Prix’s heritage of creating commemorative posters, a tradition that dates back to the inaugural Detroit Grand Prix in 1982. Thanks to a partnership between the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and the Detroit Sports Media Association, each of the top five designers in this year’s competition will receive a small scholarship in recognition of their outstanding work.

The 35th Grand Prix event in the City’s history will return to the 1.7-mile, nine-turn Streets of Downtown Detroit circuit that runs along the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk, May 30-June 1, 2025. With new viewing options and entertainment packages, fans can purchase tickets at www.DetroitGP.com/Tickets or through the event’s Ticket Hotline at 888-811-PRIX (7749). For more information on the 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, visit www.DetroitGP.com.

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ABOUT THE DETROIT GRAND PRIX

The Detroit Grand Prix is a 501(c)3 organization and a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Scheduled for May 30-June 1, 2025, the event will return to the Streets of Downtown Detroit. The Grand Prix will include the Chevrolet INDYCAR Grand Prix featuring the cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the sports cars of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the rising stars of racing competing in INDY NXT by Firestone. For more information, visit DetroitGP.com and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Each year two students will be selected to be awarded $50,000, to be dispersed over 4 years. Gilbert Family Foundation also announced scholarship support for pre-college summer workshops and completion scholarships aimed at retaining students.

Gilbert Family Foundation and College for Creative Studies (CCS) today announced a new $1 million grant to expand the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship. This new funding is in addition to the $1 million committed by the Foundation in 2023, bringing the total endowment to $2 million.

In Fall 2024, the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship provided support for one CCS undergraduate student. Moving forward, the fund will provide two scholarships each year, covering four years of tuition for two selected students from Detroit. To qualify, recipients must reside in Detroit, be a graduate of a Detroit-area high school and demonstrate financial need, as determined by the CCS Office of Financial Aid.

“Detroit has a long history of leading the world through art, design and innovation,” said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. “Expanding this scholarship offers more talented students in Detroit access to the resources and opportunities needed to pursue an artistic career. These students are the next generation of creative leaders who will shape the future of Detroit’s art and design community.”

This scholarship does more than cover educational costs; it gives students the stability they need to focus on their education and artistic growth. Without financial stress, they can develop their skills, explore new creative opportunities and contribute to Detroit’s vibrant arts scene.

“This scholarship means a lot to me. It’s given me a chance to get out there in the art world and continue creating,” said Chris Romero Hernandez, GFF Scholar ’25. “It’s been my heart’s desire to work as an artist. I don’t know how to express my genuine gratitude and thanks to Gilbert Family Foundation. This scholarship means I have the chance to study and train in my craft to one day make my dreams come true.”

In addition to the endowed scholarships, Gilbert Family Foundation has also committed $50,000 for 12 pre-college scholarships in the summer of 2025, as well as $25,000 for completion scholarships to support the retention of enrolled juniors and seniors from Detroit. This comprehensive support aims to address the specific barriers Detroit students face when pursuing careers in the arts, particularly concerning financial access and early exposure.

Gilbert Family Foundation’s continued support aligns with CCS’s mission to create accessible and transformative educational experiences for students from our community.

Meet Some of the Muralists Transforming the City, One Brushstroke at a Time, and the Individuals Making Those Opportunities Happen.

Detroit is home to world-class muralists that are adorning the city with their work, honoring its history, raising awareness on social issues, and inspiring people. In 2022, USA TODAY ranked Detroit as the fourth best city to see street art in the country.

One of those artists transforming the city is Sydney G. James, ‘01 Illustration. The multidisciplinary creative, who was named CCS’s 2024 Distinguished Alumni, co-founded the biannual street mural festival BLKOUT Walls in 2021, to increase representation of Black artists in mural festivals. Nearly 50 local and international artists are in the BLKOUT Walls family, and James looks forward to maintaining the event in Detroit and expanding it to other cities.

“Public art, no matter how you try to spin it, is a two-way conversation between the community and the artist and vice versa,” James said. What makes this even more special is that several CCS graduates have participated in BLKOUT Walls, including Habacuc S. Bessiake, ‘21 Illustration, Cailyn Dawson, ‘21 Studio Art & Craft and Kobie Solomon, ‘01 Illustration. “We offer artist fellowship with the actual community, and it continues past the festival.”

Another mural festival in the city is Murals in the Market, created in 2015 by Detroit-based fine art publisher and online marketplace 1XRUN. The festival has welcomed more than 100 artists from Detroit and around the world to paint murals throughout Eastern Market and Detroit. Smithsonian magazine named it one of the top five best mural festivals in the world in 2018.

“It means everything to me to have built a platform like 1XRUN and Murals in the Market that directly supports the careers of so many talented artists, both in Detroit and around the world,” said Dan Armand, ‘05 Illustration, co-founder of 1XRUN. Jesse Kassel, ‘10 Illustration, Anthony Lee, ‘16 Studio Art & Craft, Ashley Mcfadden, ‘10 Illustration, Ivan Montoya, ‘17 Illustration Art Education, Michael Polakowski, ‘17 Illustration, and Robert Sestok, ‘69 Studio Art & Craft, are some CCS alumni who have participated in the festival. In 2023, organizers rebranded the event as Murals in Islandview and moved it to Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood.

These muralists are enriching not only Detroit but the world with their work. Ndubisi Okoye, ‘15 Communication Design & Strategy, was one of 11 artists commissioned by Warner Bros. in 2022, to create illustrations of Tweety Bird in honor of the character’s 80th birthday. Okoye’s eight illustrations were painted as murals around the U.S., Australia and other countries.

“It’s a blessing to have mural work shown around the world,” Okoye said. He has also painted for Murals in the Market and completed other vibrant murals around Detroit and Michigan. “Detroit’s muralist community is like a big family. We support each other, battle it out on requests for qualifications, stand up when one of us is mistreated and we generally love to see each other win.”

The College for Creative Studies (CCS) was honored to participate in the launch of new retail experiences at Michigan Central Station, aimed at supporting Detroit businesses and celebrating local talent.

As part of Détroit Marché, an experiential retail space created in collaboration with Michigan Central Retail, Trading Post, and Gonzo World, the Fashion Design department at CCS installed an exhibition featuring alumni work previously showcased at Paris Fashion Week. Each piece, handcrafted by our students in Detroit, reflects the CCS Fashion program’s commitment to craftsmanship and meticulous attention to detail. Featured designers include Cierra Headings, Clay Barckholtz, Ana Bosnjakovski, Mamie Scholl, Dafne Kanberoglu and Andreas Caballero.

Located in the historic restaurant area of The Station, the Marché features over 25 vendors, including CCS alumni and students. A thoughtfully curated selection of local goods includes accessories, art, apothecary, home goods, furniture, apparel and more.

The Station is open to the public for shopping from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday, through December 28.

Alumni & Student Work for Sale:

  • All Sorrows – Sean Peacock (‘22 Illustration)
  • Alorē Niemi – Alorē Niemi (‘21 Fashion Accessories Design)
  • Detroit GT – Christopher Gorski (’93 Graphic Communications)
  • Detroit Kid – K’Kio Hardin (’01 Graphic Communication)
  • Emillie Yonker – Emilie Yonker (‘25 Studio Art & Craft)
  • Jesse Kassel – Jesse Kassel (’10 Illustration)
  • Kieran Betz – Kieran Betz (‘25 Studio Art & Craft)
  • Lausten Found – Javier Terrones (’23 Transportation Design)
  • Levon Kafafian – Levon Kafafian (’14 Crafts – Fiber Design)
  • Northport Workshop – Edward Foley (‘96 Photography)