the Carr Center | Inspire. Entertain. Challenge. Educate.

Featured events

	Carrie Mae Weems curates Beyond Space Opening Night Reception. October 19, 2019, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
	The Gathering Orchestra in concert, under the Direction of Rodney Whitaker November 23, 2019, 11:30 am - 2:00 pm
	MSU Jazz Orchestra in concert, featuring Kenny Washington December 7, 2019, 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
	Music Is The Message : Terri Lyne Carrington and Social Science December 14, 2019, 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm

Upcoming events

October 17, 2019

11:30 am - 2:00 pm gDee Dee Bridgewater in residence @ DSA g

October 18, 2019

11:30 am - 2:00 pm gDee Dee Bridgewater in residence @ DSA g

October 19, 2019

11:30 am - 6:00 pm gConverge Detroit Symposium @ DSA g

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm gCarrie Mae Weems curates Beyond Space Opening Night Reception. g

November 18, 2019

11:30 am - 2:00 pm gThe Gathering Orchestra in residence @ DSA g

November 23, 2019

11:30 am - 2:00 pm gThe Gathering Orchestra in concert, under the Direction of Rodney Whitaker g

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“With the Independent Scholars (ISF), the Carr Center has created a program that understands how creatives function, how to bring us together and how to make something extraordinary happen… Every single member of this cohort is exceptionally brilliant and I am truly honored to have bonded with these people.”

Ricky Weaver
2019 Independent Scholar Fellow

“The Carr Center is one of the most vibrant, active art centers in the United States that is focused on developing the community. The incredible arts programming, the opportunities offered to young people to participate and the conscious commitment to cultural identity speaks volumes to the value of the performing arts in our lives.
Bravo for your vision and leadership!”

Debbie Allen
Multiple Emmy and Tony Award winning
actress, dancer, choreographer, director, producer

“Being Co-Artistic Director of the Carr Center alongside my musical sister, Terri Lyne Carrington, is something I have been proud to do. As a Michigander, I feel the importance of bringing the Carr Center’s ideals to fruition. My goal is to work in a collective manner to nurture our youth artistically, providing a strong backbone for their future.”

Dee Dee Bridgewater
2017 NEA Jazz Master, 3x Grammy Award winner
Tony winner, 2018 Doris Duke Artist Award winner

“I can’t tell you what a dream come true that experience was for my daughter and for me. The summer dance intensive allowed her the opportunity to have world class training right here in Detroit. Everything from beginning to end was professional and the showcase was phenomenal!”

Tanja Appling Parent of a dance student, Summer Dance Academy

Who We Are

the Carr Center leverages the essence of the African American cultural experience to inspire, entertain, challenge and educate. It is a place where artists, across all disciplines, and community come together. We accomplish our mission through three core programs:

the Carr Center Contemporary, The Carr Center Arts Academy and the Carr Center Presents….

Our Mission

the Carr Center is devoted to the preservation, presentation, promotion and development of the African and African American cultural arts traditions within our multicultural community.

Inspire

You cannot touch inspiration but you can feel it. Inspiration is what motivates and drives creativity. Our goal is to inspire creativity in artists, our patrons, and our community through the presentation and teaching of African American cultural arts traditions.

Entertain

To be entertained is a gift from artists and performers to their audiences.

It is a gift of emotion, joy and inspiration. In every presentation, the Carr Center aims to be a platform for unmerited giving.

Challenge

Challenging someone builds strength, character and confidence. All of these nouns are essential to nurturing personal growth. The Carr Center challenges and nurtures both artists and audiences, in order to help them grow.

Educate

Education is power. The Carr Center creates opportunities for unique educational experiences in order to preserve African and African American cultural arts traditions and empower future generations to make new traditions their own.