Detroit Month of Design 2026: The Design Scene Nobody's Talking About

Key facts

• Detroit Month of Design is in its 16th year, held in September 2026.
• The festival is multidisciplinary, covering art, craft, architecture, and industrial design.
• Most programming is free and open to the public.
• The Detroit Institute of Arts hosts a talk with Spike Lee on Sept. 9.
• Detroit is the only American city designated a UNESCO City of Design.
• The festival theme is 'Design Moves the Future'.
• Kiana Wenzell is Executive Director of Design Core Detroit and has been festival director since 2016.
• The DIA exhibition 'Georgia O'Keeffe: Architecture' focuses on her architectural paintings.
• Workshops include furniture making with Tony Printz and a solo show by Tony Whitfield at I.M. Weiss Gallery.
• The On Air Off Grid Music Tour features solar-powered concerts and visits landmarks like Hastings Street and Third Man Records.
• The Cadillac Arts Centre opened in May, housing studios and nonprofits including Pewabic Pottery.
• 'Between Your Love and Mine' is an outdoor installation along the Detroit River featuring Canadian and U.S. designers.
• The installation is organized by Stefan Novaković and Library Street Collective.