Detroit is gearing up to celebrate its artistic legends with the Third Annual Detroit ACE Honors Medals Ceremony this coming Friday. Organized by the City Office of Arts, Culture and Entrepreneurship (Detroit ACE), the event will recognize individuals who've made their mark on Detroit’s cultural scene. These recipients are set to receive the Medal of Excellence at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History at 7:30 a.m., as reported by the City of Detroit.
The ceremony will go beyond awarding medals, serving also as a platform to present a vision for supporting Detroit’s creative workforce, according to Rochelle Riley, Director of Arts and Culture. Riley is set to deliver the annual State of the Arts address following the awards, where she will recognize contributions from the Kresge Foundation and City Historian Jamon Jordan, and outline ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening support for local artists. Attendance requires registration, which can be completed via an Eventbrite link shared by the city.
This year's honorees, who were selected last year by a panel of artists and community leaders, feature influential figures like the late Amp Fiddler, a renowned hip-hop and funk artist, and Henry Harper, a long-standing advocate and mentor in the fine arts scene. Other distinguished awardees include Dr. Gloria Aneb House for her activism and literary contributions, Njia Kai for her formidable impact on cultural events, and Carole Morisseau for her dedication to arts education and international recognition as an artist. The complete list of recipients and their contributions can be found on Detroit ACE's official site.
The accolades come as part of a larger effort by Detroit ACE to not only celebrate local artists but to continuously promote and nurture the city's arts and cultural heritage. Throughout the years, the ACE Honors Medals have recognized numerous artists, philanthropists, and organizations for their role in enriching Detroit's artistic community. This includes last year's awardees, such as jazz bassist Marion Hayden and fresco master Hubert Massey, as well as this year’s honor presented in memory of Amp Fiddler, whose contributions remain influential in the city’s musical landscape. The honors extend beyond individual achievements to salute the entities like The Kresge Foundation, whose philanthropy has been pivotal for the arts in Detroit.
As the city prepares to recognize these cultural contributors, Detroit’s rich creative legacy receives renewed attention and acknowledgment. Mayor Mike Duggan has praised this year's recipients, stating, "Detroit has always been one of the world's great centers for arts and culture and this year's ACE Honors Medal recipients are an important part of that legacy and tradition," further highlighting the event's significance in the city's cultural calendar. Those looking forward to the ACE Honors can follow updates and insights on Detroit ACE's social media pages, linked to the official announcement.
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