In an exciting development for Michigan’s creative community, the Michigan Growth Office, in collaboration with Creative Place Consulting and Studio M Detroit, has unveiled the winners of the Make/Shift Pitch Haus grant competition. These four recipients will each be awarded a $25,000 grant to utilize Pitch Haus, a mobile art activation space crafted from a shipping container, to enhance and showcase their work within their local communities.
Grant Recipients and Their Projects
- “Return of Idlewild” by CONTAINER in Idlewild, MI
- “Seat at the Table” by Curiouser Clay with Chelsea Area Friends for Recreation in Chelsea, MI
- “The Reworked Studio” by Second Vibess in Grand Rapids, MI
- “VoxBox” by Traverse City Design Week in Traverse City, MI
Selected from a pool of 118 applications, the winners were judged on the creativity and potential impact of their projects, their engagement with the community, and their ability to foster a more vibrant and livable environment. The Pitch Haus initiative is designed to support Michigan-based artists, businesses, and nonprofit organizations, emphasizing the significance of talent retention and community growth in the state’s economic development.
Project Highlights
“Return of Idlewild”
hosted by CONTAINER and The Love Building (Idlewild, MI)
Designed to rejuvenate Idlewild’s historical significance as a hub of Black creativity, “Return of Idlewild” will feature a cultural retreat with artists, musicians, and wellness leaders. The event will include curated meals, workshops, and concerts, expanding its reach through a partnership with Detroit-based CONTAINER.
“This award allows us to deepen the creative bridge between Detroit and Idlewild—two historic hubs of Black art, culture and community,” said Kwaku Osei-Bonsu, co-founder of CONTAINER. “With support from the Michigan Growth Office, we’re able to build economic pathways for artists while restoring one of Michigan’s most significant Black spaces. When we invest in creativity, we invest in the communities that will shape Michigan’s future.”
“A Seat at the Table”
hosted by Curiouser Clay in partnership with Chelsea Area Friends for Recreation (Chelsea, MI)
“A Seat at the Table” encourages community involvement through storytelling and art workshops, culminating in a series of celebratory events. During a two-week residency, activities like tea parties and ceramic experiences will take place, concluding with an art auction.
“What a DREAM for Chelsea to host the Pitch Haus as both catalyst and connector,” said Eli Zemper, founder of Curiouser Clay. “Providing support for this and other community projects reinforces the truth that creativity is not just decoration, but infrastructure: a foundation for belonging, vitality and long-term growth.”
“The Reworked Studio”
hosted by Second Vibess (Grand Rapids, MI)
This innovative project will transform Pitch Haus into a sustainable fashion gallery, fostering creativity and community through interactive events that highlight eco-friendly designs and practices.
“We care deeply about making sustainability and creativity something people can actually experience, and this opportunity lets us expand that work in a real and intentional way,” said Kaitlynn Fitzpatrick and Camille Steverson, co-founders of Second Vibess. “It also creates space for our community to explore new ideas, connect with each other and engage with creativity in a way that feels meaningful and inspiring.”
“VoxBox”
hosted by Traverse City Design Week and The Alluvion (Traverse City, MI)
“VoxBox” reimagines Pitch Haus as a storytelling chamber, promoting local design and enabling public interaction with creative projects during Traverse City Design Week.
“Hosting Pitch Haus allows us to elevate radical, local, interdisciplinary designers—those reimagining sustainability, community and culture through design—and invite the public to engage with their work in an experiential way,” said Jessica Kooiman Parker and Dana Lacuesta, co-founders of Traverse City Design Week. “Through this activation, Pitch Haus becomes a bridge between creators, collaborators and the broader community, amplifying not just individual projects, but the collective creative identity of Northern Michigan.”
The Pitch Haus will travel through these four communities from May to October 2026. For more information and to track its journey, visit the Pitch Haus website.
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