The Carr Center

Several days ago, the Rivera Court at DIA was full -- of music, of energy, of possibility.

That moment is exactly why The Carr Center exists.

We may not have a permanent home, but the work continues. The impact continues.

What's uncertain is how we sustain it.

If you believe in access, opportunity, and the next generation of artists, WE NEED YOU.

Use this link to support us today! https://ppay.co/h4pa7L5hGXU

🎶 Rodney Whitaker: Double the Jazz, Double the Fun! - *|www.thecarrcenter.org|*

🎷 Join Us for Detroit's Midtown Jazz Crawl Tomorrow! - https://mailchi.mp/thecarrcenter.org/thecarrcenter-4883636

Jazz Your Weekend: Detroit's Midtown Crawl Starts May 1 - *|www.thecarrcenter.org|* Hear Xavier here - https://open.spotify.com/track/4UhBGmqcApvAZFTq53ukh7

May Melodies: Detroit's Midtown Jazz Crawl presented by The Carr Center and the Detroit Institute of Art in collaboration with The Cathedral Church of St. Paul and the Detroit Historical Society: May 1 & 2 and May 8 & 9- *|www.thecarrcenter.org|*

Dance and Jazz Dreams Await - Apply Today! -
Young jazz professionals submit your Auditions for The Gathering Orchesta - Use this link for details
*|https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lekordvCmxQabXkB75ZJz-rBiiTjbmQpNsF68aYeA08/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0|*

Summer Dance Intensive for ages 10-21 Use this link to register
*|https://the-carr-center-s-summer-dance-intensive-2026-the-carr-center.pushpayevents.com/booking/attendees/new|*

Jazz Up Your Career: Call for Auditions - The Gathering Orchestra!!! Young jazz professionals, seize this career expanding opportunity. Interested???

Use this link for details *|https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lekordvCmxQabXkB75ZJz-rBiiTjbmQpNsF68aYeA08/edit?mc_cid=b17fc181ee&mc_eid=b4a2bb896e&tab=t.0|*

the Carr Center | Inspire. Entertain. Challenge. Educate. the Carr Center leverages the essence of the African American cultural experience to inspire, entertain, challenge and educate.

ATTENTION DANCE PARENTS
Level Up Your Young Dancer's Skills This Summer - Our Summer Dance Intensive for ages 10-21

*|https://the-carr-center-s-summer-dance-intensive-2026-the-carr-center.pushpayevents.com/booking/attendees/new?mc_cid=e80b673860&mc_eid=UNIQID|*

the Carr Center | Inspire. Entertain. Challenge. Educate. the Carr Center leverages the essence of the African American cultural experience to inspire, entertain, challenge and educate.

You may have noticed that we’ve been quieter than usual over the past few months. While that pause wasn’t our intention, we want you to know that The Carr Center remains active, committed, and moving forward.

Artistically and programmatically, the past year was one of the strongest in our history. Our performances, residencies, and educational offerings reached wide audiences and reflected the excellence, creativity, and cultural leadership that define The Carr Center. That momentum continues: Dance Day returned on April 10, The Gathering Orchestra will be in residence in May and June, and our Summer Dance Intensive launches in July.

At the same time, we want to be transparent about challenges we’ve been navigating behind the scenes. Despite significant efforts and meaningful support from many of you, we were ultimately unable to overcome lingering financial pressures—particularly those stemming from the post-pandemic period. While we paid more than $150,000 in rent last year and worked diligently to address prior obligations, our fundraising efforts did not fully close the gap. As a result, we have moved out of our former facility in the Cultural District.

Importantly, this does not mean a pause in our mission or our programs. While we will not have a permanent home for the time being, The Carr Center has a long history of operating successfully without one. In fact, for most of our life as the Carr Center/Arts League of Michigan, we were a flexible, city-embedded organization—bringing artists and audiences together wherever culture lived and thrived.

In the months ahead, you’ll continue to see Carr Center programs at partners such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit School of Arts, and Wayne State University, among others. This moment gives us an opportunity to reimagine how we deliver our work, strengthen partnerships, and build a more sustainable future.

We are incredibly proud of what our artists, educators, and community accomplished across the years, and we remain deeply optimistic about what lies ahead. Thank you for your belief in our mission, your past support, and your continued engagement as we step into this next chapter.

With gratitude and resolve,

Oliver

Exciting News: Carr Center Arts Academy in Action! -
Gathering Orchestra Audtions - Interested? Use this link for more information *|https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lekordvCmxQabXkB75ZJz-rBiiTjbmQpNsF68aYeA08/edit?mc_cid=a06476448c&mc_eid=UNIQID&tab=t.0|*

Summer Dance Intensive - Use this link to register *|https://the-carr-center-s-summer-dance-intensive-2026-the-carr-center.pushpayevents.com/booking/attendees/new?mc_cid=a06476448c&mc_eid=UNIQID|*