Potential in Proximity to create space for discussions on arts, displacement

A two-day event this weekend will focus on the state of the arts in the city, but also aims to tackle issues facing Detroit such as transit and displacement. Potential in Proximity: Exploring Displacement & Arts Education in Community Spaces will take place November 3 and 4 at the Detroit Public Library and Red Bull Arts Detroit.

The events are free and open to the public.

On Saturday, a screening Bree Grant’s Aunt DDOT will take place at Red Bull Arts at 6 p.m. The short film explores Detroit’s bus system and how the community feels about it. Following the screening, Nigerian chef and writer Tunde Wey will lead a discussion on, “his multi-city dinner series centered around food as a stimulus to address racial wealth disparity, economic displacement, gentrification, and U.S. anti-immigration sentiment, which led him to cities like Detroit, New Orleans, and Nashville Tennessee.”

Toni Moceri from Allied Media Project will then moderate a discussion between Grant and Wey on art, accessibility, and displacement.

Sunday, programming lands at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. Arts activations will take place from 1-3 p.m., followed by a panel discussion on funding of the arts in the city. Moderated by Imain Mixon, the discussion includes Detroit School Board Member Misha Stallworth, Arts Advisor and Cultural producer/Membership Manager at MoCAD Wayne Northcross, and Director of Creative Industries at Creative Many Michigan Cézanne J. Charles, plus Detroit artist Hubert Massey.

The program is a collaboration between Red Bull Arts Detroit, ProjectArt, the Allied Media Project, and the Detroit Public Library.