Detroit’s New Art Hub: Lumana Arrives in Little Village
Detroit’s vibrant arts scene is set to welcome a significant new addition with Lumana, a non-profit arts organization founded by entrepreneur, philanthropist, and art collector Jennifer Gilbert. Located within the ambitious Stanton Yards development in the Little Village neighborhood, Lumana aims to enhance arts accessibility and cultural engagement across the city.
Transforming Detroit’s Waterfront: Stanton Yards & Lumana
Lumana will be housed in a 21,000-square-foot repurposed building at Stanton Yards, a mixed-use waterfront development that once served as a shipbuilding site and storage facility. The architectural firm SO–IL is adapting the space, designing a distinctive mixed metal and polycarbonate exterior that will create a natural, luminous glow, reflecting the foundation’s name. OSD (Office for Strategy + Design) is managing the promenades and larger grounds, ensuring the entire 13-acre Stanton Yards complex integrates seamlessly with the new cultural hub, offering over 80,000 square feet of commercial and creative space, along with nearly 100 boatslips and waterfront parks.
Jennifer Gilbert’s Vision for Community and Art
Jennifer Gilbert, founder of Detroit’s Pophouse Design studio, has long supported the arts behind the scenes. Lumana represents a public turn for her philanthropic endeavors, allowing her to leverage her world-class art collection for future exhibitions and programming. She envisions curatorial fellowships that will grant access to her collection and support the commissioning of new, site-specific works, further enriching Detroit’s cultural landscape.
Gilbert’s commitment to sharing her collection recently became public with “Seen/Scene: Artwork from the Jennifer Gilbert Collection,” curated by Laura Mott and artist Nick Cave, currently on view at The Shepherd art space in Little Village through January 10. This exhibition marks the first time her private collection has been publicly displayed, fulfilling her desire to share art more broadly.
What to Expect at Lumana, Opening Fall 2027
The new Lumana building, slated to open in Fall 2027, will feature two dedicated exhibition halls, a central area encompassing a café, a bookstore, an auditorium, and various educational and event spaces. This design ensures it will be a dynamic center for both art viewing and community interaction.
| Feature | Former Building Role | Lumana’s New Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Function | Shipbuilding, Storage | Non-profit arts organization, Exhibition Halls |
| Key Amenities | Industrial space | Café, Bookstore, Auditorium, Education & Event Spaces |
| Architectural Style | Functional, utilitarian | Modern, mixed metal & polycarbonate, “natural glow” |
| Size | — | 21,000 square feet |
Collaborations and Broader Impact
Lumana’s inauguration will include an exhibition focused on Cranbrook Art Museum’s Detroit art collection, funded by a grant from Gilbert and on view for approximately a year, accompanied by educational and public programming. Anthony Curis, a partner at Stanton Yards, highlights Gilbert’s lasting impact on Detroit’s arts community, noting that Lumana will deepen her commitment. Curis himself has a significant portfolio of arts initiatives in the city, including Library Street Collective gallery, The Shepherd, and the Charles McGee Legacy Park.
This project signifies a powerful integration of arts, culture, community, and philanthropy, demonstrating a belief that it’s “always the right time for more culture and community in the city.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Lumana
- Who is Jennifer Gilbert?
Jennifer Gilbert is a Detroit-based entrepreneur, philanthropist, and art collector. She is the founder of Lumana and the principal of Pophouse Design studio. - What is Lumana?
Lumana is a new non-profit arts organization and physical space in Detroit’s Little Village, founded by Jennifer Gilbert, dedicated to arts accessibility and community engagement. - Where is Lumana located?
Lumana is part of the Stanton Yards mixed-use waterfront development in Detroit’s Little Village neighborhood. - When will Lumana open?
The Lumana building is slated to open in Fall 2027. - What kind of art will be displayed?
Lumana will leverage Jennifer Gilbert’s world-class art collection for future shows, commission new site-specific work, and inaugurate with an exhibition of Cranbrook Art Museum’s Detroit art collection.
Lumana is poised to become a cornerstone of Detroit’s cultural landscape, offering residents new opportunities to engage with world-class art and fostering a deeper sense of community connection in the heart of Little Village.
Detroit Welcomes Lumana New Arts Hub
