Many designers have bold, innovative concepts but require a physical "home" to bring them to life.
By offering your space as an in-kind host, you play a vital role in Detroit’s creative ecosystem and gain visibility as a featured festival destination.
Host Guidelines & Expectations
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In-Kind Partnership: To remove barriers for local creators, host venues are expected to provide their space in-kind (at no cost) for the duration of the agreed-upon event.
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Organizer Responsibility: The paired designer/organizer is responsible for funding, managing, and executing their specific program. Design Core does not provide grants for independent exhibitors.
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Location: While we prioritize Detroit-based locations, we welcome applications from regional partners across Southeast Michigan.
For questions or accessibility assistance, email us at submissions@designcore.org.
2026 Timeline
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March – April : Open Call for Venues & Designers
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May – June : Venue/Designer Matchmaking & planning phase.
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June – July : Finalization of event details for the official festival calendar.
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August : Public calendar launch and heavy promotional cycle.
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September 1 - 30 : Detroit Month of Design 2026
Venue opportunities are open to the public. We place an emphasis on venues located in Detroit, but are open to submissions from regional businesses and organizations.
If paired with a designer host venues are asked to open up their space in-kind. The remainder of the event programming is funded, managed and implemented by the event organizer.
Design Core does not offer funding to independent event organizers. We recommend all designers have a plan in place to attain the financial and technical support needed to execute their event or experience.
There is no participation fee for the venue host.
Applicants are not limited to one submission. If you have more than one venue you would like to activate, please fill out another application.
Email questions to: submissions@designcore.org