Kickstarter

Help us complete our renovations in turning an old police station into an art center!

Hatch: A Hamtramck Art Collective is a grassroots non-profit based in an immigrant community nestled inside loving arms of Detroit.  We purchased an abandoned building from the city of Hamtramck for one dollar--that's right, one dollar-- with plans to convert it into an art center.  It was built as a dormitory for nuns around a century ago and eventually converted into a police station (complete with jail cells and the rumor of ghosts).  While the building is structurally safe and sound with lots of possibility, most of the plumbing and heating needs to be replaced thanks to harsh Michigan winters.

We are very close to being able to occupy the building, which will feature low cost studios for artists, an art gallery, a workroom that will include Detroit’s only public darkroom, a classroom, and more.  Our first major hurdle of replacing the roof has been completed.  Now we need one more push.  With this grant, we will get the building fully operational.

It is well known that the Detroit area is struggling.  The problems here are anything but subtle.  One positive to emerge from these extended hard times is that Detroit and Hamtramck have a burgeoning artist community thanks to the low cost of living plus the abundance of space and opportunity.  Hatch provides a hub for artists to share ideas, create events, and link the artist community to the community at large.  We have existed for six years without a place to call home.  Once we get this building operational, we look forward to the many ways we will be able to bring art, culture, and positivity into this gritty but proud city.

Currently Hatch has around 30 members, including painters, photographers, cartoonists, writers, jewelers, ceramicists, designers, and much more.  A few of these members have agreed to sweeten your reason to give by offering original artwork with your contributions.  See samples of what each artwork is at http://www.hatchart.org/kickstarter_premiums.html

Help make life here a little bit better for everyone in the community.