The City of Detroit will serve as the first stop for MicroFest USA, alearning exchange-cum-think tank, hosted by the national arts service organization the Network of Ensemble Theaters (NET).
The three-day festival, which takes place at various locations across Detroit, kicks off Friday, Aug. 17 at Eastern Market with panel discussions and a performance from rapper/poet/activist Invincible.
In an effort to further the conversation about art’s impact on Detroit, MicroFest USA hopes to engage various constiuencies in an effective and measurable way. For details, click here.
“I see this as a bridge point between artists, urban planners, and community organizers,” Ashley Sparks, MicroFest Event Coordinator, said. “MicroFest is contributing to national case-making around the arts being as vital as a hospital to a healthy community.”
Tailored to celebrate Detroit’s success stories and to connect like-minded groups who could benefit from alliance, MicroFest USA will tour various galleries, gardens and community hot spots to highlight the ways artists are creating opportunities for social, economic and civic mindedness in their own communities.
Activities include panel discussions; neighborhood arts tours; dance, music and theater productions; art-making workshops; community meals and more.
Ensemble (ahn-sahm-buhl): A group of individuals dedicated to collaborative creation, committed to working together consistently over years to develop a distinctive body of work and practices.