DEARBORN — Six contemporary artists from a range of disciplines will participate in a new artist residency program in East Dearborn, supported by the Arab American National Museum and a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. 

The museum was one of 57 winners named Monday, Nov. 9 in this year’s Knight Arts Challenge Detroit. It will receive a $50,000 grant to fund the artist residency program.

The program will include art production by and about Arabs and Arab Americans. 

“Through a method of forward global thinking and by recognizing the ever-changing landscape of contemporary art, this new artist residency program brings a reenergized vision of creativity and expression by offering a platform for Arab Americans to showcase their artistic abilities,” said Devon Akmon, AANM director.

Museum employees are in the process of assembling a local committee of artists to plan and promote project activities. Along with AANM leadership, the committee will review artist submissions based on AANM programming and that of the larger arts community across Detroit.

AANM will partner with City Hall Artspace Lofts (CHAL), located across the street from the museum in Dearborn’s former City Hall complex. CHAL is owned and operated by Artspace, a developer that creates affordable living space for artists in blighted urban areas. CHAL will provide housing and studio workspace for visiting artists.

“At Knight Foundation, we believe that everyone should have access to high-quality arts experiences in their cities and neighborhoods,” said Victoria Rogers, vice president for arts at Knight Foundation. “We are excited by what this group of Arab American artists will bring to the people of East Dearborn and Detroit.”