Community Arts Highland Park

Community heART Highland Park is an original program of ArtOps. Established in 2016, CAHP is a multi-year initiative that seeks to build and strengthen community life through the arts.

The vibrant creativity of artists and residents is apparent in every corner of Highland Park.

Over the past three years, ArtOps researched, conducted interviews and started building relationships with key stakeholders, artists, and business owners about the arts’ role in the city. 

CAHP supports and develops collaborative activities between artists, residents, non-profits, and business owners, with the intent to fuel art created by the community, for the community. ArtOps also provides access to professional development resources from our staff in order to promote the capacity of artists and creatives.

Through an annual re-granting process, CAHP assists in the implementation of arts activities led by local artists and organizations that impact youth and adults alike. Over the past two years, CAHP has re-granted $100,000 directly into the city across 22 recipients, with an emphasis on cross-collaboration and partnerships. Grantees include:

  • Angela Lugo-Thomas
  • Asia Hamilton
  • Avalon Village
  • Boys & Girls Club
  • Carl Williams
  • Christine Cowan
  • Detroit Repertory Theatre
  • Highland Park Business Association
  • James Turner
  • Kemit Hoye
  • Kimberly McDade
  • Legacy of Literacy
  • Lucy Frye
  • McDonald Phelps Foundation
  • My Sister’s Keeper
  • Robert Onnes & Annex Gallery
  • Ruth Ellis Center  
  • Urban Requiem Project
  • Waleed Johnson
  • WHPR TV 33
  • William Marcellus Armstrong & Jeff Harris
  • Yvette Rock & Live Coal Gallery

ArtOps will help support an annual re-granting process for the next two years. 

Other new major activities comprise the formation of the Highland Park Arts & Cultural Council, a local artist-driven program championed by the Highland Park Business Association. 

  • Equipment rental sharing for events
  • Professional development workshops in fundraising, budgeting, and marketing
  • An arts internship program for high school graduates;
  • Arts education for youth and seniors; and
  • “First Fridays,” free monthly events curated by the Council that connect local businesses to artists through cultural events in the city. 

Major support for Community heART Highland Park is provided by the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation.