The CAID will be a collaborative leader in transforming Detroit into a model city. It will cultivate a creative,justainable, ecologically sound and healthy localized economy, a strong social fabric, and a dynamic,engaged population where every citizen can contribute to a richly diverse sociopolitical and artistic culturethat impacts the world.

The Contemporary Art Institute of Detroit values the arts as a vital element in the life of our community. The arts, in their many forms, provide a vehicle for developing and expressing creativity, a tool for growth, and a means of connecting people and ideas across linguistic, socioeconomic, and cultural boundaries.

 ● Innovation – We support daringly innovative ideas that promote economic, social, and/or politicalchange in our community while celebrating the freedom of creative expression;

 ● Aesthetic Quality – We strive for aesthetic quality both in the work we do and as a primecriterion for our support to artists and other organizations;

 ● Diversity – We recognize that the many cultures represented in our city are an essential source of vitality and that supporting diverse artistic traditions encourages intercultural respect and understanding;

 ● Artists – We value the work of artists as educators, entrepreneurs, mentors and citizens in our community and we believe their contributions are vital to a healthy and vibrant city;

 ● Education – We value arts education as essential to the intellectual and creative development of the human mind;

 ● Integrity/Accountability – In our relationships, dealings, and transactions our board, staff and volunteers will exemplifying the qualities of integrity, trust and competence. Through these values we will strive to earn and convey trust. We will retain public trust through openness, efficient cost effectiveness and stewardship of resources;

 ● Ecologically Sound – We value conditions, technologies, and behaviors that significantly reduce water pollution, air pollution, and noise pollution. We will employ sustainable practices that are sensitive to the environment. Our organization is dedicated to fulfilling its responsibility for strong stewardship of, and living in harmony with, the natural environment;

 ● Partnership – We are committed to nurturing current partnerships and creating new alliances to strengthen the health of the arts in Detroit;

 ● Public Value – We work in partnership with the arts community to build and demonstrate the public value of the arts;

 ● Economic Impact – We recognize that a strong artistic community has a positive and
measurable impact on the economy of our city;

 ● Respect – We respect the individual differences of people in our organization and our community and the contributions they make.