Detroit Launches Global Contemporary Art Platform, Detroit Salon, ahead of 2028 Citywide Contemporary Art Event

October 13, 2025

Detroit Salon, a new contemporary art platform created by Detroit-based Salonnière and supported by various Michigan organizations, will debut internationally in Paris in fall 2025 before staging a citywide edition in Detroit in 2028. The initiative aims to connect Detroit artists to global audiences while establishing a headquarters in Paradise Valley for year-round exhibitions and artist development. With partnerships including Art Basel and 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, Detroit Salon represents a significant effort to elevate Detroit's visual arts scene on the world stage.

Who is affected

Detroit and Michigan-based artists who will gain international exposure and networking opportunities
Local museums, galleries, studios, and art collectors who may receive increased traffic and attention
Detroit neighborhoods and public spaces that will host exhibitions during the 2028 citywide edition
Southeast Michigan residents who may benefit from new jobs created by the event
Visitors and tourists who will engage with Detroit's visual arts scene
Paradise Valley neighborhood, which will house the Detroit Salon Art House

What action is being taken

Salonnière is establishing international partnerships with Art Basel and 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair
Detroit Salon is creating a Detroit-led curation process through a selection committee and artist advisory group
The organization is establishing a headquarters in Paradise Valley for year-round exhibitions and programming
Detroit Salon is planning exhibitions with global partners ahead of the 2028 citywide edition
The team is ensuring Detroit control across creative decisions and storytelling through lengthy negotiations

Why it matters

The initiative aims to place Detroit on the global art world map, alongside its reputation for music, design, and automotive innovation
It provides Detroit artists with access to international audiences, potentially sustaining their careers
The project helps artists develop as entrepreneurs by exposing them to new markets and buyers
It could drive cultural tourism and investment to Detroit, benefiting the local economy
Re-anchoring an international art house in Paradise Valley connects to Detroit's legacy of Black entrepreneurship and creative self-determination
It elevates Detroit's visual arts tradition, which has deep historical roots from Rivera's murals to contemporary artists

What's next

The first international exhibition will take place in Paris in fall 2025
An open call for artists will begin in January 2026
Detroit will host the inaugural citywide edition in fall 2028
After 2028, the fair is intended to recur every two years
The organization plans exhibitions with its global partners and steady programming from its Paradise Valley headquarters between major events

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle