DETROIT – Space Lab Development, Inc. (SpaceLab Detroit) has announced an open call to artists for the Bagley Arts Alley Murals in collaboration with the city of Detroit’s City Walls and Arts, Culture, and Entrepreneurship (ACE).
The project aims to create three murals that celebrate Metro Detroit culture, foster community pride, and showcase the talents of seasoned and emerging artists.
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The Bagley Arts Alley is part of the larger Arts Alley Initiative, a transformative project designed to create vibrant, safe, and inclusive community gathering spaces in Detroit’s neighborhoods.
This effort is part of Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s Blight to Beauty Initiative, which uses art and design to tackle challenges heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic. These include limited access to safe, green spaces, deteriorating infrastructure, and insufficient support for the creative workforce.
Through the Arts Alley Initiative, artists, residents, and community leaders have collaborated to reimagine residential and commercial alleys, incorporating innovative landscaping, stormwater management, and pedestrian-friendly amenities.
The murals will reflect Detroit’s rich history, culture, and resilience. They will create hubs of beauty and imagination while fostering pride and connection among neighbors.
By uniting local artists, residents, and the city’s creative resources, the Arts Alley Initiative is more than an investment in physical infrastructure. It is a celebration of Detroit’s spirit, an opportunity to amplify voices through art, and a catalyst for building stronger, more beautiful neighborhoods for all.
Alley location and theme
The Bagley Arts Alley is located at 2631 Bagley, Detroit, MI 48216, running along the northeast side of the Roberto Clemente Recreation Center.
It is envisioned as a community staple that will host events and serve as a gathering space for all residents of District 6.
The art will reflect the diverse array of historic neighborhoods surrounding it, fusing the many worlds that comprise Southwest Detroit.
The artistic vision will also complement the generous, fighting spirit of Roberto Clemente, the Puerto Rican Hall of Fame baseball star known for his community passion.
Clemente was killed in a plane he had chartered to take emergency relief goods for the survivors of a massive earthquake in Nicaragua.Timeline
Project Timeline
- Call Release Date: Feb. 10, 2025
- Deadline for Questions: Feb. 19, 2025 (send questions to info@spacelabdetroit.com)
- Proposal Submission Deadline: Feb. 24, 2025
- Artists Notified: March 3, 2025
- Artist Agreements & Onboarding Documents Due: March 10, 2025
- Community Engagement Begins: March 17, 2025
- Mural Painting Begins: April 3, 2025
- Painting/Installation Completion Deadline: May 31, 2025
What SpaceLab is looking for
Submissions are encouraged from:
- Experienced and emerging artists specializing in murals or public art installations.
- Individual artists and collaborative artist teams.
- Artists 18 years or older, available to work within the project timeline.
- Artists connected to Southwest Detroit or Michigan are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Bagley Alley Mural Project seeks art that:
- Reflects Southwest Detroit’s rich cultural, social, and historical narratives.
- Enhances the visual appeal of the neighborhood and strengthens community pride.
- Demonstrates innovation and is suitable for outdoor public spaces.
Artists interested in applying should send an Artist Packet to SpaceLab Detroit at info@spacelabdetroit.com, where submission details are available.
A judging panel comprising property owners in the alley community will select the artists.