(Photo Credit: Sean Pavone)
As a creative professional who has built a solid career here in the Southeast Detroit Metropolitan and Ann Arbor areas of the great state of Michigan, I know that we have a rich history of creativity and innovation. However, I completely understand that, first, we definitely cannot compete with the weather and the deep roots of the creative industries all across the West Coast of the United States (U.S.).
For example, the marketing company I work with once had a lucrative, international client through a well-known advertising agency for almost three years. We shot their commercial photography work in our Detroit based studio. But when the client realized that they could stay with that same advertising agency and shoot at their California location, through no fault of our own, we lost that work to the creatively vibrant and sunny location out West.
From what I understand, it is also quite easy for creative professionals to adjust to Portland’s creative scene as well. In fact, Oregon Live shares the following report about creatives working in Portland, “According to a new report from a company called ‘Workamajig,’ Portland is the third most creative city in the country, coming in behind Atlanta and Miami.
What is a ‘workamajig’? And are they right?
First, apparently, Workamajig is a ‘Marketing project management software designed just for creative teams.’
According to the report, ‘To determine the most creative cities in the U.S. per capita, Workamajig analyzed the state of each city’s creative economy and atmosphere by looking at the number of museums, Cannes Lions Winners in 2022, artists and musicians, creative jobs in industries such as Marketing, Arts, and Design, as well as the number of film and music festivals per capita.’,”.
Is Michigan a good place for creatives to work
In an effort to not undermine the vibrant creatives living and working in the Detroit/Ann Arbor professional market, it is my responsibility to share with you that there is a high concentration of tech jobs for those folks in creative technology. Earlier in my career, I spent a lot of time networking in the Detroit and Ann Arbor markets. I volunteered as a board member for professional groups such as:
- Automation Alley
- Ann Arbor Ad Club (local chapter of the American Advertising Federation)
- Motor City Connect (MCC)
- University Event Planners
- American Marketing Association (AMA)
- Direct Marketing Association of Detroit (dMAD)
Furthermore, I earned a bachelor’s degree with high distinction from the University of Michigan and while I was a student, I was a board member with the Public Relations Student Society of America/PRSSA (a student chapter of the PRSA).
As you can see, there are no shortages of groups to seek support from for us Michiganders. Additionally, because we are the Motor City capital of the world, Ford Motor Company has its headquarters in Dearborn, just outside of Detroit where General Motors (GM) has their headquarters.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation explains how Ford has focused funding in the downtown Detroit area with the creation of the Michigan Central Innovation District. “The company bought the historic Michigan Central Train Station in 2018 to act as an anchor for the 30-acre campus to act as a hub for talent, mobility innovation, entrepreneurship, sustainability, affordable housing, small business opportunities and community engagement,”.
They go on to share this quote, “The Detroit area is becoming a center of competence for user experience technology and many of the suppliers that exist in Silicon Valley now have representation in Michigan,” Vince Gallante, Stellantis vice president of global user experience design. “We’re supporting all 14 of Stellantis’ brands with hires from Apple, Disney and Microsoft,”.
Is there anything to do in downtown Detroit?
In recent years, there has been significant growth and excitement around the revitalization of the City of Detroit, with the support of the State of Michigan, investors, volunteers, and Fortune 500 companies. While the news likes to report all the crime in major cities, they neglect to point out how much Detroit has changed since the 1970s.
For me and my family though, it did not matter what the news said because we have always enjoyed heading downtown for all its culture, food, entertainment, and sporting events. For example, each year, as a family tradition, during the Christmas holiday season, we would go to the Detroit Opera House and see The Nutcracker Ballet (Tchaikovsky 1892). Other venues to enjoy in downtown Detroit:
- Tiger Stadium (former home of the Detroit Tiger’s baseball team) now Comerica Park
- Joe Louis Arena (former home of The Detroit Red Wings hockey team)
- Cobo Hall (home of the International Auto Show)
- Hart Plaza (free concerts were played here each weekend in the summer)
- Greektown off of Beaubien Street (some of the original restaurants were closed as the casinos came in)
- DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts)
- Amore da Roma (one of Detroit’s oldest Italian restaurants)
- Boat races on Lake St Claire, viewed from Jefferson Ave.
- Bob-lo Island (No longer in existence sadly. Back in the day, we would get on the Bob-lo boat downtown that took us to the theme park on the island)
- Belle Isle (now part of Michigan’s State Parks, run by the Department of Natural Resources/DNR)
- Greenfield Village (in Dearborn, close to Detroit)
- Henry Ford Museum (also in Dearborn, close to Detroit)
- The Fox Theatre
- Detroit Opera House
- Detroit Riverfront with stunning views of Windsor, Ontario, Canada
- Eastern Market
- Lafayette Street for a Detroit coney dog experience
- Enjoy my favorite Detroit style pizza at first Buddy’s Pizza location – a true, original Detroit Sicilian classic
Visit Detroit suggests the following about sports, “If you’re visiting during baseball season (April through October), catch a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park. During basketball season (October through March), see the Detroit Pistons do their thing at the state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena. Little Caesars is also home to the Detroit Redwings – Detroiters go wild for hockey (that’s why the name “Hockeytown” is trademarked) and you’ll see why if you get tickets. And finally, if you’re in Detroit during football season, tailgate or nab some tickets to see the Detroit Lions play at Ford Field,”.
Is Portland a good city for creatives to work in Oregon
In conclusion, whether you’re drawn to Portland’s artistic pulse or Detroit’s resilient innovation, both cities offer rich opportunities for creatives ready to build, connect, and thrive.