Open Call for
Community-Led Design Projects!
Thanks to the Gilbert Family Foundation’s commitment to Detroit’s creative community, this is your opportunity to help shape and showcase the city’s vibrant design culture. Apply today! Open call closes Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
Detroit Month of Design is a platform for creatives to connect, engage new audiences, and celebrate Detroit’s design talent on a national and global stage. With the support of the Gilbert Family Foundation, this initiative continues to expand, bringing design to life in neighborhoods across the city through exhibitions, installations, product launches, lectures, panel discussions, tours, open houses, retail activations, and workshops.
We’re looking for cultural and community-led creative projects happening in Detroit neighborhoods during Detroit Month of Design, September 1–30. If you have a project that fosters creativity, community engagement, and cultural expression, apply now for the chance to showcase your work. The deadline to apply is Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
A curatorial committee of local experts will select eight events to be featured in the official festival lineup. Selected participants will receive:
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A $2,000 stipend to support event production
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Technical assistance from Design Core
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Inclusion in the Month of Design schedule
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Festival-wide marketing support and promotional assets
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Additional marketing opportunities may be available based on media interest.
Detroit Month of Design Presented by
Design Core Detroit
Festival Dates: September 1–30, 2025
Festival Theme: Detroit, City of Design
Application Deadline: Sunday, May 11th, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST
Questions? Contact aseaygreen@designcore.org
Community leaders, changemakers, individuals, and organizations with creative or cultural projects rooted in Detroit neighborhoods are encouraged to apply. If your project is community-led and you want to showcase it as part of the official Detroit Month of Design calendar, this opportunity is for you!
Events or projects must take place in a Detroit neighborhood and be community-driven, actively involving local residents in their planning, creation, or execution.
Yes, thanks to the support of the Gilbert Family Foundation each event organizer will receive a $2,000 stipend to support the production of their event.
Yes, event organizers must secure their own venue for in-person or outdoor events. While Design Core may assist in connecting designers with potential venues, placement is not guaranteed.
The event must take place in a Detroit neighborhood.
No, applying to Month of Design is free for organizations participating in this program.
Event organizers are responsible for managing, funding and producing the event. Design Core will provide a $2k stipend. 75% of the stipend will be paid out ahead of Month of Design. The remaining 25% will be paid out no later than October 10th. Event organizers are responsible for all other costs.
Payment timeline
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50% upon selection and signing participation agreement
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25% when final event details are confirmed
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25% upon the close of Month of Design (September 30th)
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Selected events receive the following through the festival platform:
If your event is accepted, you will receive:
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Technical Assistance (TA) that includes:
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(1) orientation meeting
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(1 - 2) event TA meetings
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Invite to the Month of Design (MoD) Mixer in May
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(1) calendar listing
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Built MoD promotion organically
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Design Core will do a dedicated social media post about the 8 events in September.
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A dedicated webpage on the festival schedule, including a 300-word event description, registration form for attendees, image, and link to your website.
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Inclusion in general festival marketing efforts.
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Festival-specific promotional language and graphics to help promote your event.
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Invitation to the Month of Design mixer and inclusive design training session.
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Up to two webpage revisions (3-4-business-day turnaround per revision).
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Potential additional marketing based on media interest.
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Exclusive festival merchandise.
Timeline
Phase 01
June: Promotion and event planning.
July: Event organizers finalize details for inclusion in the online schedule and submit them to Design Core prior to the deadline.
August: Festival calendar goes live!
Phase 02
July: TA meetings, Event organizers finalize details for inclusion in the online schedule and submit to Design Core prior to deadline.
August: Festival calendar is published, Heavy promotion
Phase 03
September: 15th Annual Detroit Month of Design
Phase 04
October: Attend recap meeting and complete survey.
Selection Criteria
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Quality and Originality: Will this idea highlight Detroit talent or innovation in a unique and authentic way? Consider the overall quality, creativity, and originality of the submission.
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Does this event address one or more of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals?
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Storytelling: Does the submission offer a compelling visual story or narrative?
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Technical Excellence: Technical proficiency and excellence in execution.
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Community Engagement: Does this event engage the community that it is within?
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Diversity and Inclusivity: Does this event showcase spectrums of Detroit’s diversity and/or capture the richness of Detroit's population?
Applicants are not limited to one submission.
Please fill out another application to be considered for other opportunities.
Email questions to: submissions@designcore.org.
Click to find out about the 2025 Curatorial Committee.
Event Registration
Design Core uses a standardized registration form to streamline and track attendee sign-ups.
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Accessing Registration Lists:
Event organizers can request attendee registration lists, which will be emailed to them upon request. -
Event Promotion:
Organizers are encouraged to link to their event page on the official festival calendar from their own sites, social channels & promotional platforms.
