The Creative Union brings Detroit creatives and creative businesses together to share resources, build stronger connections, create more opportunities, and keep creative work in Detroit.
Metro Detroit is home to more than 100,000 creative professionals — artists, producers, designers, directors, photographers, marketers and more. The talent is already here.
But too much of the money, work and opportunity connected to that talent leaves Detroit. National brands hire agencies in other cities. Detroit artists travel elsewhere to record. Local creatives work on projects without those dollars circulating back into Detroit's creative economy.
This isn't a talent problem. It's a problem of access, resources and opportunity. That's what we're working to change.
Artists, photographers, musicians, designers, filmmakers, makers, content creators and hobbyists all contribute to the culture and creative identity of a city. Creating has value whether you do it for yourself, your community or your career.
Creative entrepreneurs build systems, sign contracts, hire people and serve clients. They create economic opportunities around their work — for themselves and for the people they bring on.
Both matter. The Creative Union believes Detroit should be a place where people can create, grow and build sustainable creative businesses without having to leave the city to do it.
Our headquarters at Chroma gives Creative Union companies access to shared production resources, studio time, event space and other tools they need to grow. It also gives us a place to bring creatives, clients, partners and collaborators together in Detroit.
Studios, equipment, editing resources and production tools can be shared across companies, giving creative businesses access to more without having to build everything alone.
Creative companies can work together to pursue larger contracts and projects that may be difficult for one business to take on alone. More of that work, and the money connected to it, stays in Detroit.
Events, workshops and brand activations create opportunities for people to connect, learn, collaborate and experience Detroit's creative community.
The Creative Union was founded by Detroit creatives, entrepreneurs and operators who have spent years building businesses, creating work, developing relationships and learning what it takes to grow in the creative industry. The Union brings that experience together so we can build more opportunities for Detroit's creative community.
Detroit Label · Grammy-Nominated Production
Home to artists who have toured the world and producers with Grammy nominations to their name. Studio infrastructure, A&R discipline, and a roster that competes nationally.
Full-Service Media & Production · National Brand Work
A credited track record working with major brands, scaling year over year while hiring Detroit talent across every shoot.
Woman-Led Photography · Marketing & Event Curation
A portfolio of brand and culture work that bridges Detroit creativity with national clients, anchored in event curation and visual identity.
Directors & DPs · Major Artist and Brand Credits
A roster of Detroit-based directors and DPs whose credits include work with major artists, brands, and labels — independent operators choosing to anchor here.
The Creative Union is built by founders, operators and creatives working together to strengthen Detroit's creative economy and create more opportunities for the people building it.
The Creative Union is being built through the time, resources and support of our founding members. Donor support helps us build the spaces, programs and opportunities that allow more creative work, businesses and jobs to grow here in Detroit.
Note on tax-deductibility The Creative Union has applied for 501(c)(3) status; our application is currently under IRS review. Contributions made now are not yet tax-deductible. Once approved, status applies retroactively to our incorporation date, and we will issue updated receipts to donors of record.
The Creative Union works with foundations, civic organizations, brands, partners and Detroit creative companies that want to help strengthen the city's creative economy. Tell us how you'd like to get involved and our team will follow up.
Detroit has done this before. Motown wasn't only music — it was artists, studios, producers, businesses, jobs and systems working together to create something that reached the world. Detroit still has the creative talent. The Creative Union is working to strengthen the spaces, tools and relationships around it so more Detroit creatives can build, grow and create opportunity here.
Detroit doesn't need permission to be a creative capital. It needs the infrastructure to be one.