Ryan Meyers-Johnson of Sidewalk Detroit

What happens when art leaves the theater and shows up on the street? Why are some planners afraid of the public? And what can cities learn from the way artists see the world? In this episode of Closer, Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace talk with Ryan Meyers Johnson, Executive Director of Sidewalk Detroit, about how art, choreography, and small experiments in public space can transform the way people experience their city—and each other. Ryan shares how site-specific performance invites people to become part of the work, why artists can see possibility where others see problems, and how humility and curiosity are essential to building trust in communities. This conversation explores how creativity can unlock the hidden magic in neighborhoods and help cities feel more connected, alive, and human. Closer is a conversation hosted by Carol Coletta and Mark Wallace about the strategies that make cities more social—and why that is the smartest investment in the urban toolkit.