Crowdfunding Campaign Launched for “The Garden Lab for Eco-Creative Futures” in Detroit

LANSING, Mich. – The Creative Body Institute will transform a vacant lot into a vibrant outdoor space, including a public garden and living classroom, to support sustainable creative practices in a changing climate. This project will be fulfilled through the anticipated success of a crowdfunding campaign that the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the nonprofit Creative Body Institute announced today, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity. 

If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $25,000 by June 21st, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program. For project details and to donate, please visit: patronicity.com/gardenlab. 

“The Garden Lab showcases how we can think of community gardens as not just places to grow food or relax but as space to nurture creativity and individuals,” said MEDC Regional Development Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to provide resources for this effort through our Public Spaces Community Places program.” 

"The PSCP matching grant program directly supports the creation of our outdoor community space, which will be home to a pollinator garden and outdoor learning space for workshops and ecological art projects in Detroit,” said Eleanor Oakes, President of the Creative Body Institute. “This match is essential to helping Creative Body Institute expand our ability to create a vital laboratory for sustainable art practices and community education. This support ensures the Garden Lab will serve Detroit as a long-term site for ecological stewardship, creative research, public events, and learning opportunities with local artists." 

Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League and Patronicity, in which residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC. Communities, nonprofits and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan. 

“Creating beautiful, accessible outdoor spaces, especially ones that revitalize previously underused lots within a city, is so important to the well-being of Michigan's communities,” said Dan Gilmartin, Executive Director and CEO of the Michigan Municipal League. “As a community garden, a living classroom, and a place to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, the Garden Lab will benefit everyone who visits. This is what placemaking is all about.”  

The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan. As of April 16, 2026, MEDC has provided more than $14.7 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the program, 421 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $16.7 million raised from 77,002 individual donors. Communities have a 97 percent success rate in achieving their goals and earning matching funds. 

 

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan’s economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan® tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook Instagram LinkedIn, and Twitter.