Social Impact & Volunteering

GM Foundation Donates $50,000 to Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit to Fund Youth Programs

Oct 11, 2013 4:00 PM ET
Campaign: GM Social Impact

DETROIT, October 11, 2013 /3BL Media/ – The GM Foundation is donating $50,000 to the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, also known as MOCAD, to make possible new art education programs for area middle and high school students.

The Foundation has a long-standing history of supporting community arts programs in the area and across the country. In the last three years, the Foundation has supported Detroit-based nonprofits and cultural institutions like MOCAD with grants totaling $23.2 million.

“Through its diverse community outreach and education programs, MOCAD is inspiring artistic minds and the next generation of innovators,” said GM Foundation President Vivian Pickard. “It’s exciting to see all that the museum has accomplished in the past seven years and we look forward to helping the institution expand its education portfolio.”

Coordinated by a new youth program producer, the new classes will be designed by and for teens. Teens will receive an honorarium for their work.

"MOCAD’s new youth programs are designed to inspire and empower teens while providing an exciting introduction to creative careers," said MOCAD Executive Director Elysia Borowy-Reeder. “We thank the GM Foundation for this generous grant, and for making contemporary art and design more accessible to middle and high school students in Metro Detroit."

The following GM Foundation-named education programs will begin at MOCAD at the end of November:

  • Teen Council: A select group of 12 high school students from Metro Detroit gather once a week to develop programming and events for their peers, serve as volunteers at MOCAD community outreach events and contribute to the museum’s blog.
  • Open Studio: Opportunity for high school students to showcase their works in progress and to receive feedback from guest artists, designers, Wayne State University, the College for Creative Studies and, Cranbrook faculty and staff.
  • Student Docent Program: Immersive school program designed to equip sixth to eighth graders with the necessary skills to connect with others through contemporary art and design. The program goals include increased confidence, leadership training, public speaking experience, self-advocacy, self-expression and deeper visual acuity.
  • Saturday Workshops: Program encouraging middle and high school students to explore art and design through projects inspired by MOCAD exhibitions and programs.
  • Lectures and Gallery Tours: Tours and lectures hosted by exhibiting artists and curators, in support of MOCAD’s featured exhibitions.
  • Teacher Programs: Professional development workshops and exhibition previews for K-12 educators hosted by MOCAD Teacher Advisory Group of Detroit-Metro.
  • School Groups: K-12 school groups are offered free admission to the museum, including special tours led by museum staff.

About the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)

Established in 2006, MOCAD’s mission is to present art at the forefront of contemporary culture. As a non-collecting institution, MOCAD is responsive to the cultural content of our time, fueling crucial dialogue, collaboration, and public engagement. The museum is an innovative addition to Detroit's vibrant Midtown neighborhood and functions as a hub for the exploration of emerging ideas in the contemporary arts. The 22,000 square foot building, a former auto dealership, has been renovated carefully to maintain its historic character. With its raw, flexible, and light filled cavernous spaces, the building is well suited to the exhibition of contemporary art. MOCAD’s ambitious series of public programs aims to engage diverse audiences and includes lectures, musical performances, films, literary readings, and educational activities for children.

About General Motors Foundation

Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates.  Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM.  The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit www.gm.com/gmfoundation.