A message from Carr Center President Oliver Ragsdale, jr.

You may have noticed that we’ve been quieter than usual over the past few months. While that pause wasn’t our intention, we want you to know that The Carr Center remains active, committed, and moving forward.

Artistically and programmatically, the past year was one of the strongest in our history. Our performances, residencies, and educational offerings reached wide audiences and reflected the excellence, creativity, and cultural leadership that define The Carr Center. That momentum continues: Dance Day returns on April 10, The Gathering Orchestra will be in residence in May and June, and our Summer Dance Intensive launches in July.

At the same time, we want to be transparent about challenges we’ve been navigating behind the scenes. Despite significant efforts and meaningful support from many of you, we were ultimately unable to overcome lingering financial pressures—particularly those stemming from the post-pandemic period. While we paid more than $150,000 in rent last year and worked diligently to address prior obligations, our fundraising efforts did not fully close the gap. As a result, we have moved out of our former facility in the Cultural District.

Importantly, this does not mean a pause in our mission or our programs. While we will not have a permanent home for the time being, The Carr Center has a long history of operating successfully without one. In fact, for most of our life as the Carr Center/Arts League of Michigan, we were a flexible, city-embedded organization—bringing artists and audiences together wherever culture lived and thrived.

In the months ahead, you’ll continue to see Carr Center programs at partners such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Detroit School of Arts, and Wayne State University, among others. This moment gives us an opportunity to reimagine how we deliver our work, strengthen partnerships, and build a more sustainable future.

We are incredibly proud of what our artists, educators, and community accomplished across the years, and we remain deeply optimistic about what lies ahead. Thank you for your belief in our mission, your past support, and your continued engagement as we step into this next chapter.

With gratitude and resolve,

Oliver