MORE THAN ART
Where creativity grows and
People come together through the arts
Mission
ArtLab J creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to learn, create, perform, and connect through the arts.
Through arts education, artistic creation, performance, festivals, and cultural exchange, we bring together dance, music, visual arts, K-POP, and diverse creative practices to foster confidence, creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.
Our mission is to make the arts an active and meaningful part of people's lives while creating opportunities for artists, young people, and communities to grow, share their voices, and connect across cultures.
About ArtLab J
Founded in 2012 by Artistic Director Joori Jung, ArtLab J is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts and culture organization based in Detroit, Michigan.
Originally established as a contemporary dance company, ArtLab J has grown into a dynamic arts organization connecting artistic creation, education, performance, festivals, community engagement, and cultural exchange.
Through dance, music, visual arts, K-POP, and interdisciplinary projects, ArtLab J creates opportunities for artists, youth, and communities to learn, create, perform, and connect. Our work extends beyond the studio and classroom through original productions, festivals, community programs, performances, and international cultural initiatives.
At the heart of ArtLab J is the belief that the arts are not only something to learn, but something to create, experience, and share. We encourage participants to take an active role in the creative process—developing confidence, collaboration, critical thinking, and the ability to turn ideas into meaningful artistic experiences.
What We Do
Arts Education
Dance, music, visual arts, K-POP, and integrated arts programs that encourage creativity, artistic development, and self-expression.
Performance & Creation
Opportunities for students and artists to participate in the creative process, develop original work, and experience live performance and production.
Festivals & Cultural Programming
Festivals, performances, competitions, and special projects that provide platforms for artists and bring diverse audiences together.
Community Engagement
Accessible arts experiences, outreach programs, and community partnerships that connect people across generations and backgrounds.
K-POP & Cultural Exchange
K-POP education, performance, competitions, and international initiatives that use contemporary culture as a bridge between communities and cultures.
Future-Focused Learning
Creative experiences that develop adaptability, collaboration, critical thinking, and confidence—skills that become increasingly important in a rapidly changing and AI-driven world.
Our Vision
We envision a world where the arts connect people across generations, communities, and cultures.
ArtLab J strives to build an inclusive and evolving creative ecosystem where artistic expression, education, and cultural exchange inspire new ideas, strengthen communities, and create meaningful connections—locally and globally.
ArtLab J History (Since 2012)
2012
Founded in Detroit, Michigan, with a mission to connect communities through dance and the arts.
Launched the Detroit Dance Race, a performance series uplifting local talent.
2013
Established the Detroit Dance City Festival (DDCF), a landmark platform for local and national contemporary dance artists.
2014
Received the Knight Arts Challenge, expanding DDCF into an international festival and launching artist residencies.
Performed Revival through Dance and People at the Detroit Opera House as a TEDx Fellow.
Published Moving with Detroit, an independent dance magazine.
2015
Embarked on our first international tour to South Korea; premiered No Right Answer at New Dance for Asia.
Launched the Detroit Revival Project to spark artistic collaboration across the city.
Created the Detroit Dance Scholarship Summit to empower youth through dance education.
2016
Performed No Right Answer in Poland at the Zawirowania Dance Theater Festival.
Delivered guest lectures on careers in professional dance at the University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University.
Curated a six-month performance series for the Detroit Institute of Arts’s Dance! American Art 1830–1960 exhibition.
Hosted the Metro Detroit Dance Teacher Summit.
Collaborated with pianist Ivan Moshchuk for a live performance at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Launched ArtLab J for Grownups, an inclusive dance program welcoming all ages, abilities, and backgrounds.
2017
Formed an official community partnership with the Detroit Institute of Arts to expand DDCF programming.
2018
Produced Move in the Cube, a multidisciplinary community dance and visual arts event supported by the DIA.
Began festival exchange programs with South Korea and New York.
2019
Selected for Co.Act Detroit’s Earned Revenue Accelerator Program, strengthening our nonprofit sustainability.
Partnered with the Detroit Public Library to provide free children’s dance classes.
Hosted kids’ dance camps at the Detroit Institute of Arts.
Opened our dedicated Detroit Dance Studio.
2020
Launched Creative Thinkers and Movers, a youth creativity and movement program.
Developed Alone Not Lonely, a virtual performance platform supporting artists during the pandemic.
Collaborated with Detroit Pistons Supporters to host outdoor dance classes.
2021
Awarded Huron Capital funding to provide summer dance scholarships to low-income youth.
Produced an anti-hate campaign video “Home away from home” with the support of the Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission.
Partnered with artist Mike Han to launch a scholarship and cultural awareness initiative celebrating Korean heritage.
Recipient of the Bridging the Gap Rapid Response Grant to provide free after-school programs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022
Signed an MOU with Detroit Public Schools to implement a Korean culture education program using K-POP dance.
Hosted Dance & Art Day, a family-friendly event supported by CHROMA.
Expanded our international presence with performances and lectures at Linz University in Austria.
2023
Launched a Garden Event Series celebrating diverse Asian cultures, funded by the Michigan Arts and Culture Council.
Premiered Objects at Play in collaboration with the Detroit Puppet Company, supported by the DIA.
Performed and taught K-POP at Oakland University’s K-Entrepreneurship events.
2024
Initiated a festival exchange with Puerto Rico.
Opened a new studio in Troy, Michigan, increasing our reach in the region.
Hosted Detroit’s first K-POP Dance Contest.
Presented Michigan’s first official K-POP stage at Concert of Colors.
Embarked on an international tour of Korea—performing in Busan, Daejeon, and Ilsan and leading masterclasses at Kyung Hee University, Chungnam National University, and Seoul Institute of the Arts.
K-POP Dance Team performed at the Holland International Festival.
Presented a special performance at the DIA for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Secured major sponsorship from Samsung America to expand K-POP dance programming.
2025
Transformed Detroit Dance City Festival into a national event, with new editions in New York and Chicago.
Expanded the K-POP Dance Contest to Detroit, New York, and Chicago regional competitions.
Brought Creative Thinkers and Movers to Ferndale Upper Elementary School.
2026
Expanded access to arts education through Out-of-School-Time (OST) Learning programming.
Increased performance opportunities for young artists.