Public Programs

MOCAD’s Public Programs are dedicated to fostering community engagement through dynamic, inclusive, and responsive cultural offerings that deepen the connection between contemporary art and everyday life. We deliver an evolving slate of Talks, Activations, Workshops, and Community Cares Programming that cultivate dialogue, spark imagination, and build relationships across Detroit and beyond. Through intentional programming rooted in care, creativity, and collaboration, we create accessible spaces for learning, healing, and collective transformation.

Artist Talks

MOCAD’s talks bring together artists, curators, and thinkers into conversation with our community. As our exhibitions continuously evolve, so does our roster of compelling speakers with each season. These discussions offer insights into artistic processes, cultural contexts, and contemporary ideas, creating connections between audiences and the changing landscape of today’s art world.

Activations + Workshops

MOCAD’s artist-led workshops welcome community members to engage directly with contemporary art. These hands-on experiences create accessible entry points for everyone from beginners to art enthusiasts. By connecting participants with practicing artists, these programs encourage experimentation, and build meaningful relationships with art through active participation.

Community Cares

Community Cares is a rapid response program where we provide hands-on training and workshops that directly respond to the needs of our communities. All programming in this series centers the health and wellness of our neighbors and uplifts the notion of the museum as being a site that is “of the people.”