Before Mike Kelley tragically died in January, the artist was preparing for the last stage of his "Mobile Homestead" project, a cross between an installation and a community center. A meticulous, full-sized replica of his childhood suburban Detroit home was planned to be set up in the middle of the city and open for use; now it will also serve as a legacy of the artist and his complicated relationship with his hometown.

The Museum of Contemporary Art in Detroit, which has been working to bring Kelley's project to life on their grounds, will have more support for the project after this week's announcement that they were awarded a $150,000 Artistic Innovation and Collaboration grant by the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation.

The grant will allow MOCAD to expand programming for the installation, which Kelley envisioned as a place that could hold a diverse group of community events and programs, as well as more "covert" activities in its basement that was originally intended to be private for his use.

"'Mobile Homestead' is a great gift from Mike Kelley to Detroit," Marsha Miro, president of the museum's board, said in May. "As a steward of the project, MOCAD is committed to using the Homestead as Mike wanted, as an ongoing, open-ended work."

Construction has begun on the installation and it is expected to open in May 2013. In an earlier phase of the project, a home on wheels traveled around Detroit and to Kelley's childhood home in Westland. which became a part of documentary films shown at the Whitney Biennial last spring.

The Rauschenberg Foundation's investment in Detroit arts expands beyond MOCAD. Three organizations in the city, part of a group of 20 nationally, were also identified this week for SEED grants of $10,000 annually for three years. The Heidelberg Project, Power House Productions and Allied Media Projects were each recipients of the grants intended to help deserving, small arts organizations operate and expand.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/16/mocad-mobile-homestead-detroit-mike-kelley_n_2146616.html?utm_hp_ref=detroit

DETROIT ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY GRABS THE BRASS RING WITH INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR MARKETING EXCELLENCE

“Vitamin Z” takes the prize for world’s best integrated marketing campaign

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoological Society’s “Vitamin Z” campaign has won the 2012 Brass Ring Award for Marketing Excellence. The campaign received the award for best integrated marketing from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). The award was presented Nov. 14 at the IAAPA Attractions Expo in Orlando, Fla.

“It’s a great thrill to have the Vitamin Z campaign recognized as the best marketing program in the world,” said Detroit Zoological Society Executive Director Ron Kagan. “Theme parks, museums, zoos, aquariums and other attractions worldwide compete for this coveted award.”

Created by Detroit-based Doner, the winning campaign captures real, non-scripted moments of awe and excitement as children experience all that the Detroit Zoo has to offer. Themed around the iconic nutrition label, the integrated marketing campaign includes TV, radio, outdoor, print, digital, social and mobile elements. All branded elements include the tagline “Vitamin Z. Part of a complete childhood”.

“The Vitamin Z campaign celebrates the emotional connection children feel when they visit the Detroit Zoo; we simply let them express it in their own words,” said Rob Strasberg, co-CEO, chief creative officer, Doner. “We couldn't be prouder that the integrated campaign has resonated with families in the community and the attractions industry worldwide.”

Last year, the campaign’s “How do you get your Vitamin Z?” television commercial won IAAPA’s Brass Ring Award for Marketing Excellence in the zoos and aquariums category.

To view 2012 award-winning “Vitamin Z” campaign creative, click here.

The Detroit Zoological Society is a nonprofit organization that operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Situated on 125 acres of naturalistic habitats, the Detroit Zoo is located at the intersection of 10 Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, just off I-696, in Royal Oak, Mich. The Detroit Zoo is open 362 days a year, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through Labor Day and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. the day after Labor Day through October. Admission is $14 for adults 15 to 61, $12 for senior citizens 62 and older, and $9 for children 2 to 14 (children under 2 are free). The Belle Isle Nature Zoo is open Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. November through March (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day) and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October; closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission is free.

For more information, call (248) 541-5717 or visit www.detroitzoo.org.

Photo Credit: WWJ/ Florence Walton

DETROIT (WWJ) - Three former Detroit Red Wings players are celebrating Thanksgivingweek by trading in their hockey gear for soup ladles.

Signed autographs were in as much demand as the hot meal as Kris Draper, Kirk Maltby and Chris Osgood on Monday volunteered at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen to serve dozens of guests Monday on Detroit’s east side.

“Now that we’re done playing we’ve had more of a chance to do a lot more stuff like this, so in the past three, four months we’ve done quite a bit of stuff,” an apron-clad Osgood told WWJ Newsradio 950′s Florence Walton. “You know, once you start doing it you see that you can actually make a difference and do some good things — it kinda gets going (and) you enjoy doing it.”

Added Draper, “As soon as we got the call … this was something that I wanted to do right away. … Obviously (I’m) very fortunate to, you know, to play in the NHL and to have the career that I’ve had, and it’s nice to give back.”

Volunteer Roy Hoelscher said celebrity volunteers help lift spirits.

“People really love seeing people they have seen on TV or people they’ve heard about or read about coming by to show they care about the needs, and people that are homeless and in shelters and things like that,” Hoelscher said. “It’s always an uplifting thing.”

Capuchin has been providing free meals and clothing to those in need since 1929.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/11/19/retired-red-wings-volunteer-at-capuchin-soup-kitchen/

LANSING (WWJ) – The State of Michigan is reminding job-seekers that it has a number of positions waiting to be filled.

Human Resources Department spokesperson and Internship specialist Charisse Blanks said in addition to full-time employment the State of Michigan does offer internships which is a good opportunity for college students who want to beef-up a resume with work experience.

“…they are unpaid, but they have a great opportunity to lead to full-time employment or another paid opportunity such as a student assistant position,” said Blanks. ”We have 17 different state departments. There’s something there for every major.”

Blanks said the internships usually last about three to four months, running along the duration of the college semester.

The job fair, which was held last week in Livonia, is continuing online … as those interested can still apply online.

One of those hiring is the State of Michigan.

Blanks says the state averages about 100 jobs on its website each day. There are several areas of high demand …program analysts, state troopers, even dentists are on the list.

Click on HERE for more information.

http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2012/11/18/fair-is-over-but-there-are-still-jobs-to-be-filled/