The Global Meaningful Travel Map
The Shepherd
OUR EXPERIENCES
The Shepherd is a century-old Romanesque-style church transformed into a cultural arts center with multi-faceted programming that seeks to blur the lines between gallery, institution, and community arts center. The adaptive reuse of the church includes two exhibition spaces, a public library curated by Asmaa Walton of Black Art Library, a performing arts theater, and a community workshop space. The campus grounds include a boutique bed and breakfast (ALEO), McArthur Binion’s Modern Ancient Brown Foundation, a public skatepark designed by Tony Hawk, and a sculpture park honoring the late Detroit artist Charles McGee.
ABOUT US
Unveiled in May 2024, Little Village is a cultural corridor fostering an inclusive community centered around the arts in the East Village neighborhood of Detroit. Guided by four principles focused on art, architecture, the landscape, and access to the waterfront, the diverse initiatives that span Little Village place emphasis on both historic preservation and contemporary adaptation.
OUR IMPACT
The Shepherd and Little Village initiative were created, working closely with the community, to expand public access to the arts in Detroit with initiatives that place emphasis on historic preservation, contemporary adaptation, and community engagement. The Shepherd provides the Detroit community with access to a first of its kind cultural campus with curated programming including exhibitions and performances, publicly accessible green space, a public library dedicated to artists of color, artist studio spaces, restaurants, and more. Former parking lots, alleyways, and vacant lots have been converted into 3.5 acres of park and green space open to the local community including a skatepark and sculpture park. The transformation of a vacant church into a community arts center provides opportunities for collaboration with arts organizations, such are Wayne State University College Of Fine Performing and Communication Arts.
DETAILS
To learn more, contact: info@littlevillagedetroit.com
What are your minimum and maximum group sizes?
1-500
Do you require visitors to pre-book?
No
Do you have group rates?
No
Do you pay commissions to travel advisors?
No
What languages do you offer your services in?
English
When are you open?
Wednesday-Saturday from 11am-5pm
What accommodations do you make for people living with disabilities?
The Shepherd and it’s grounds are in compliance with accessibility laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).