Ryan Myers-Johnson

she/her
Executive Director,
Sidewalk Detroit
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Ryan Myers-Johnson leads the Sidewalk Detroit team in developing and executing public engagement curricula and public art frameworks for a diverse set of stakeholders including municipalities, architecture firms, community organizations and developers. She is an experienced facilitator, public speaker and curator of public art. Her passion for community led her to found Sidewalk Detroit in 2012 as a means to celebrate Detroit landscape and culture through the lens of creativity, while bringing resident perspectives to the forefront of design processes. As the Founder, Director and lead Curator at Sidewalk Detroit she oversees all programs and leads program advancement, vision, and strategy.

Ryan has extensive experience in event planning, arts administration, management and leadership, stemming from her many years working as production manager in the film industry, and arts administrator in philanthropy. She is a sought after facilitator, having led sessions for several planning and development projects in the midwest and is a frequent guest lecturer and collaborator with the University of Michigan School of Architecture.

Ryan is particularly excited about advancing spatial equity in Detroit through facilitating transformative experiences for residents, artists and stakeholders in public spaces with an emphasis on green spaces and public parks.

AFFILIATIONS: Board Member, Detroit Greenways Coalition; Board Secretary, Detroit Parks Coalition; Board Member, Detroit Puppet Collective; Member, Community Development Advocates of Detroit.

Plenary Panelist: Placemaking Together
Breakout Moderator: All in a Name