Detroit UNESCO City of Design
In December 2015, Detroit was designated as a UNESCO City of Design, a recognition bestowed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization on cities demonstrating a legacy of and commitment to creativity as a tool for economic development. Joining 21 Cities of Design (now 30) and 180 Creative Cities across the globe, Detroit is the first and only U.S. city to receive the designation.
Detroit Month of Design
To honor Detroit's designation as a UNESCO City of Design, the Detroit Design Festival will transition from a weeklong series of events to recognizing the entirety of September as Detroit’s Month of Design. Programmed by Design Core, Detroit Month of Design is a citywide celebration of creativity that gathers designers and the greater community to celebrate Detroit’s role as a national and global design capital.
Every September, partners across Detroit—from emerging studios to established companies and educational institutions—come together to show off their latest works and ideas. These cross-disciplinary events take place in all corners of the city, highlighting the talent and innovation that makes Detroit a UNESCO City of Design.