At Onyx Center For The Arts, our mission is to cultivate creativity and foster community through accessible arts programming. We believe that the arts are a vital component of a healthy society, providing essential outlets for expression and connection for individuals from all walks of life.

Your support directly enables our ongoing impact. Annual contributions sustain our core initiatives, including our youth workshop series and community gallery exhibits. By providing consistent funding, you ensure that we can maintain high quality resources for the hundreds of local artists and students who utilize our facilities each month.

Every gift makes a tangible difference in our operations. For instance, a $100 donation covers the cost of specialized supplies for an entire classroom session, while larger gifts support the professional mentors who guide our students. We invite you to join us in this investment in our cultural landscape.

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Mission Statement

The Onyx Center for the Arts is a Detroit-based multidisciplinary arts institution dedicated to advancing artistic excellence, arts education, cultural preservation, and community transformation through theatre, music, dance, film, literary arts, and visual arts. Rooted in Detroit’s rich cultural legacy and connected to the creative capital of New York City, the Center cultivates emerging and established artists, provides transformative opportunities for youth and adults, and serves as a national bridge connecting communities, cultures, and generations through the power of the arts.

Vision Statement

The Onyx Center for the Arts envisions a future where Detroit and New York City are connected through a vibrant artistic exchange that elevates Black artistic traditions, nurtures the next generation of creative leaders, and expands access to world-class arts experiences. We aspire to become a nationally recognized cultural institution that serves as a catalyst for artistic innovation, educational excellence, economic development, and community engagement while creating pathways from local talent to national and global stages.

Founder’s Vision Statement

“The Onyx Center for the Arts was created to build a lasting bridge between the artistic soul of Detroit and the global creative influence of New York City. Through education, performance, cultural exchange, and community engagement, we will create opportunities for artists of all ages while preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of Black arts and culture. Our goal is not simply to present the arts, but to transform lives through them.”

— Dr. Evelyn Collins, Founder & Executive Director

Launch Onyx Center for the Performing Arts - Programs for Artists & Students