Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center

The BBAC, founded in 1957, serves the Detroit region’s visual arts community by fulfilling its mission “to connect people of all ages and abilities with visual arts education, exhibition, and other creative experiences.” Our classes, exhibitions, workshops, camps, programs, and events, in conjunction with artist, retail, and rental opportunities, have made the BBAC one of the strongest supporters of artists and art appreciators in the region. Nearly 5,000 individuals from Southeast Michigan, ranging in age from pre-school to senior citizens, benefit throughout the year from outstanding opportunities to learn about a broad and deep range of visual expression including: drawing, painting (oil, acrylic, mixed, watercolor, encaustic), sculpture, jewelry/metalsmithing, printmaking, ceramics and fiber arts. BBAC programs consistently serve as a catalyst to promote the creative process. BBAC access programs provide authentic art experiences to those without access due to more pressing life challenges that preempt benefits often provided by art. Factors include physical limitations due to age; medical conditions; developmental challenges; and other physical-mental-emotional barriers, or living in an environment that neither values nor offers opportunities for art experiences. The BBAC has been place-making for decades, inhabiting the same facility since the early 1960s, thus creating a “home” for what is now three generations of artists, students, and art-lovers. The BBAC’s population is a diverse mix of ages, nationalities, and religions from more than 100 Michigan cities. The number and variety of classes, exhibitions, and events also serve regional artists and draw regional audiences.