DEARBORN COMMUNITY FUND

Supporting programs that enhance quality of life and contribute to the vibrancy of the city of Dearborn, Michigan

2026 Mayor’s Arts Awards Nomination Form

Click Here to Print Nomination Form

The 2026 Mayor’s Arts Awards will be presented 7pm on Monday, May 20 2026 in Studio A at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.

The following awards will be presented during the event:

Artist Performer Award
To be given to a fine arts, literary or performing artist from the greater Dearborn community who has consistently made an impact.

Organization Award
To be given to an arts organization recognized for outstanding contributions to the advancement and support of the arts in the greater Dearborn community.

Patron Award
To be given to individuals, businesses or corporations that have supported excellence in the arts by contributing to an arts organization or to the greater Dearborn arts community.

Arts Educator Award
To be given to an arts educator from the greater Dearborn community who has provided students with exemplary educational opportunities and has shown the importance of the arts through example.

Volunteer Award
To be given to an individual who, through their volunteerism, has demonstrated significant accomplishment in advancing and supporting the arts in the greater Dearborn community.

COMPLETED FORMS AND ALL ACCOMPANYING MATERIALS CAN BE SUBMITTED AS FOLLOWS: email to: EmmaJean Woodyard ewoodyard@dearborn.gov or By U.S. mail to DCF/ Mayor’s Arts Awards, 15801 Michigan Ave. Dearborn, MI. 48126

NOMINATION FORMS ARE DUE BY

MARCH 20, 2026

Public Is Invited to the 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards

Public Is Invited to the 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards.
The public is invited to attend the 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards scheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, April 28 in
Studio A at the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. Artists, performers, and those who support
the arts in the greater Dearborn community will be recognized for their contributions. The public is
cordially invited to attend the program which includes seven awards categories, light entertainment and
a reception immediately following.


2025 award honorees include: Janeen Bodary (Artist/Performer Award), Niki Cassidy (Art Educator
Award), Karen Holland (Volunteer Award), Dearborn Fine Arts Club (Organization Award), and Steven &
Faye Adelson/Steven Bernard Jewelers (Patron Award). Sunshine Durant has been selected to receive
the Special Recognition Award. Mayor Abdullah Hamood will present the 2025 Mayor’s Award to
artist/designer Haroutioun Bastajian.


The Mayor’s Arts Awards program, launched in 1988, has continued to highlight, acknowledge and
encourage the many contributions made to the community through the efforts of creative, talented and
generous people. Support for the 2025 Mayor’s Arts Awards program is provided by Dearborn Federal
Savings Bank, Ameriprise Financial – Jim Thorpe, CFP, AWMA and Dearborn Dairy Queen on Greenfield.
The Mayor’s Arts Awards is one of the many activities included in April Arts Month, a project of the
Dearborn Recreation Commission/Cultural Arts Committee and the Dearborn Community Fund with
additional support provided by the City of Dearborn/Parks & Recreation.
Additional information is available by contacting the Dearborn Community Fund office at 313-943-5478.

DIA artwork springs up across Dearborn

Dearborn is now one of 25 locations in the Metro Detroit area with open-air galleries and reproductions of artworks from the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) collection. The artworks will be on display as part of the DIA’s Inside/Out exhibition through October.

Inside/Out brings fine art reproductions to local communities. Take time to visit
Dearborn’s Inside/Out artwork at the following locations:

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EAST DEARBORN LOCATIONS
Blick Art Materials – 14339 Michigan Avenue
Habib’s Cuisine- 14316 Michigan Avenue
Ace Diamond Jewelers- 13840 Michigan Avenue
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center (west entrance) – 15801
Michigan Avenue
Henry Ford Centennial Library (south entrance) -16301 Michigan Avenue


WEST DEARBORN LOCATIONS
Dearborn Historical Museum Commandant’s Quarters – 21950 Michigan
Avenue
Bryant Library – 22100 Michigan Avenue (at Mason)
Great Commoner/Real Estate One – 22001 Michigan Avenue
Wagner Place (green space) -West Village Drive between Monroe & Mason
Near Blue Fish Asian Cuisine and directional pillar

Inside/Out artwork and the murals will remain on display through October 2024.
This is a co-operative project of the Dearborn Community Fund with the City of
Dearborn Economic Development Department

Dearborn Public Schools City Wide Art Show

Mark your calendars for the 2024 Dearborn Public Schools City-Wide Student Art Show Opening Reception on April 3, 2024, from 4:30 pm to 7 pm. 

The art exhibit is free and open to the public from April 3 to May 18 at The Padzieski gallery located inside the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center. The show features an impressive variety of creative work by elementary through high school students from across the city.

A special feature of the Student Art Show is an impressive array of art by chosen high school seniors who will have the opportunity to talk about their work during the “senior spotlight” presentations. 

You can visit the Padzieski Gallery; Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn during regular hours of operation Wednesday through Friday from 12 pm to 6 pm, Saturday from 12 pm to 4 pm, and before select theater performances. To learn more about the event, you can call the DCF at 313-943-5478

Mayor’s Arts Awards 2024

Watch the 2024 Mayor’s Arts Awards that was held at the Arab American National Museum. Watch the video online.

Mayor Abdullah H. Hammoud presents annual Mayor’s Arts Awards

On Tuesday, April 30, the City of Dearborn hosted the annual Mayor’s Arts Awards to celebrate and honor those who contribute to Dearborn’s vibrant cultural life and rich arts community. This year’s ceremony, which was held at the esteemed Arab American National Museum,  honored the following awards recipients for their artistic contributions to the community: 

  • Mayor’s Award: Najee Mondalek
  • Artist Performer: Kathleen O’Connell
  • Arts Educator: Jennifer Pegouske
  • Organization: TEAD One Memorial
  • Artist in Residency Program Patron: Ali Haidous
  • Volunteer Award: Cheri Montreuil

This annual event is a Dearborn Recreation Commission/Cultural Arts Committee project. Additional support was provided by the Dearborn Community Fund.

April Arts Dearborn 2023

April Arts Dearborn 2023 is a project of the Dearborn Parks & Recreation Commission, Cultural Arts Committee and the Dearborn Community Fund. It includes events at the Padzieski Art Gallery, Rotunda Gallery, Arab American National Museum, City Hall Park and the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center.


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