Community Keys

Join us for a celebration of art, music, and collective joy with Community Keys! 

From May 1 to June 21, painted pianos by University of Michigan students bring Ann Arbor public spaces to life with impromptu performances throughout Ann Arbor and scheduled concerts on Wednesdays and Saturdays. The project’s grand finale piano trio performance is at 8:15PM on June 21 at Top of the Park for a Make Music Day community concert.

Opening day performances on May 1 by Mr. B. include:

Ann Arbor Farmers Market — 12:00PM 
Michigan Theater — 2:30PM
Shapiro Undergraduate Library — 5:00PM

The Community Keys project was proposed by Ashley Gray, Sophomore in the School of Kinesiology, and is supported through the U-M Arts Initiative’s Projects in Partnership (PiP) (*formerly Collaborative Projects) funding program, which supports large-scale projects that activate the campus and local community.

“In my hometown of Danville, California, painted pianos were placed throughout unique public spaces,” said Gray. “The sounds of the piano lingered throughout the halls and streets of downtown, calling for pedestrians to walk over and tickle the ivories. Although these ‘art exhibits’ were temporary, it left a special imprint on community members. I am eager to see the school community unified by such a unique experience. The power of music is universal!”

— Ashley Gray, U-M Student

Community Keys is presented in partnership with the University of Michigan Arts Initiative.