Exhibitions

This exhibition highlights the cherished heirlooms, family traditions, and stories passed down by Black Detroiters. Divided into 6 sections, our collection spans multiple countries and decades, preserves American history, documents important people and places, and captures everyday life.

Frontline Prophet: James Baldwin is a traveling exhibition by Detroit-based creative, Sabrina Nelson. The exhibition consists of unique works birthed from Nelson’s meditation on James Baldwin and is co-curated by Ashara Ekundayo and Omo Misha.

The first museum exhibition of Waheed’s work, The Audacity to Thrive explores the boldness of African-descended peoples, who thrive in the face of challenges. 

This new exhibition features over 60 of the Two-Time Academy Award winning costumer designer’s original designs from iconic films such as Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Malcolm X, Do The Right Thing, and more.

d.Tree Studio: The Past, Present, and Future of Detroit Trees  is a special exhibition in partnership with the College for Creative Studies. Describing a five-year journey of building a new relationship with the city's trees.

Inspired by The Negro Motorist Green Book, this exhibition explores the way Black Detroiters vacationed with a specific focus on Michigan.

Jazz Greats: Classic Photographs from the Bank of America Collection celebrates the legacy of singers, musicians, audiences, and artists who contributed to the cultural footprint of jazz.

44: Portraits of a President is a collective sculptural show created to recognize and celebrate the historical significance of the first African American President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Detroit Performs! celebrates the luminaries of theater, dance, and music that transformed the Motor City's performing arts scene, and with it, the American pop culture landscape.