Join us for How to Be Gallery Ready: Curating Your Work for Opportunities on November 13, 2025, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Grand River WorkPlace, 19120 Grand River Avenue, Detroit, MI 48223, United States. On Thursday evening, three of Detroit’s influential voices in the art world will reveal exactly what they look for in artists and how to stand out.

Hosted by Thrive Art Collective, a community-rooted workshop series supporting underrepresented artists in Southeast Michigan, this intimate panel features Katie McGowan (Director, Kresge Arts in Detroit), Christopher Gene (Program Coordinator, The Scarab Club), and Ash Arder (Transdisciplinary artist and 2025 Knight Foundation Fellow). Participants will gain insights into the unspoken criteria curators use to evaluate work, how to position themselves as top candidates for opportunities, and what makes a collection truly “gallery-ready.” This is a rare chance to ask real questions and get honest answers from decision-makers and a successful working artist who’s navigated the system.