In celebration of Black History Month, many of Detroit’s Black-owned and operated arts and cultural spaces are coming together, for a fourth consecutive year, in a city-wide project and self-guided tour titled Sacred Spaces. In the spirit of solidarity and creativity across our great city, the month-long happening highlights exhibitions, events, and programming scheduled across inner-city venues from February 1 – 28, 2026.
This site serves as a home for the project and offers profiles on each venue, including descriptions of unique programming taking place at each location throughout Black History Month, along with dates and times of general operation and events. Make this your go-to spot to find, learn about, and love Black art throughout February and throughout the year!
CLICK HERE to look at some of what we did last year. Check back (and often!) for 2025!
The city of Detroit maintains an average of twenty Black-owned and/or operated arts and cultural spaces at any given time. Eminent artist, Shirley Woodson, noted in a 2023 article that this trend went back to the 70s, when Detroit was home to a high number of Black owned galleries when other cities maintained few, if any. This speaks to the spirit of Detroit, how we harness ownership and entrepreneurship, and an entire city’s overall commitment to growing and supporting the arts—at every level.
Shirley Woodson, who founded the National Conference of Artists (NCA) with her husband Edsel Reid in 1974, spoke of 12 Black galleries that were operating in Detroit in 1992. She looked back at the ’80s and the ’70s where there were comparatively high numbers of commercial Black cultural spaces operating in Detroit. “My husband used to say that Detroit is the only place where people get dresseed up to go to art openings. We take it very seriously.” Woodson added that she was pleased at the support artists have been able to receive in the city over the years.
Rolling out 2023
The fact that so many Black-owned and operated spaces thrive throughout the city reflects a strong sense of agency and ownership within our communities. These spaces strengthen and add vibrancy to neighborhoods, while serving as platforms for creative expression and paving pathways for future generations of artists and leaders.
These are indeed Sacred Spaces that deserve celebration—not just during Black History Month but all year long. Detroit has always led in innovation. We hope we can demonstrate to the world how Black culture, creativity, and community thrive together.
