Michigan Central Center For Mobility And Society

Mccms advanced arts and cultural programming to foster public engagement that promotes education and community engagement at the intersection of art, technology, and mobility. The michigan central newlab art + technology residency supported six detroit-based artists with stipends, studio access, fabrication tools, professional development, and public programming (maynovember 2024), directly to artists. Mccms introduced the art program nationally through a midwest house @ sxsw panel attended by 200+ participants, expanding public dialogue on arts, innovation, and economic vitality. In collaboration with community partners, mccms conducted the south entry design process, a design competition awarding two stipends to international studios for community-informed public-realm proposals. Locally, initiatives such as the hip hop architecture camp and young disruptors initiative engaged 60+ detroit youth, blending design thinking, steam learning, and community planning. Collectively, mccms elevated detroit's creative economy, providing free cultural access to more than 100,000 visitors, and strengthened pathways for artists, students, and residents to engage in innovation and the arts. Collectively, these programs advanced mccms's charitable purposes of education, promotion of the arts, and uplifting community by providing free arts education, engaging residents in cultural placemaking, and fostering public understanding of art and technology.

Mccms delivered education and technical training to detroit-area residents in emerging technology sectors, with emphasis on programs expanding access to high-quality jobs in mobility sectors. The electric vehicle supply equipment (evse) technician training program achieved a 90% completion rate, producing 33 graduates, including 11 sae-certified technicians and 13 job placements with average 40% wage increases. The drone technology program trained 304 students in faa part 107 preparation, while lab drawer steam workshops provided biweekly, hands-on energy-science lessons for middle-school learners. The mobility society fellowship, in partnership with the state of michigan's office of future mobility and electrification, placed five recent stem graduates in 15-month paid fellowships with innovation-sector employers. Additional initiatives such as the detroit area talent fund and community builders-in-residence program removed financial barriers and expanded access to learning opportunities. Collectively, these programs provided education, removed barriers to opportunity, and strengthened detroit's workforce pipeline in furtherance of mccms's mission to relieve poverty through education and workforce opportunity.