Dwelling Place Introduces 2024 Winter/Spring Artist in Residence: Pharaoh Muhammad Khalil

Dwelling Place is pleased to announce Pharaoh Muhammad Khalil as their 2024 Winter/Spring Artist-in-Residence.  

Pharaoh is a multi-talented artist with creative pursuits in poetry, freestyle rap, photography, videography, and modeling. Paramount to his work, Pharaoh is passionate about making a positive impact in his community by building community. 

As the ArtPrize Exhibition Coordinator in 2023, Pharaoh collaborated with the Heartside Business Association to put together 4 shows and multiple performers along the streets. Pharoah enjoys working closely with artists of all types to make sure they feel listened to and to promote a real sense of community among the artists. 

In his residency work at the Dwelling Place, Pharaoh plans to utilize the 106 Division Ave space to curate exhibitions and activations in the Heartside neighborhood that will showcase the talent and creativity of a variety of artists.  

Director of Community Building & Engagement, Jenn Schaub said, “We are excited to have Pharaoh join us as Artist -in- Residence. During the selection process committee members discussed his passion and connection to the South Division community, and I’m very excited to see what experiences he produces.” 

Dwelling Place offers an artist in residence program as a part of the Community Building and Engagement Community Arts program and is funded by a grant by the Michigan Arts & Cultura Council, which “envisions a Michigan where communities celebrate creative expression and every person has access to, or participates in, arts and cultural experiences.” 

“I want to cultivate a safe space for community members to learn and vent about issues relating to topics while bringing artists into that space to freely express themselves without concern of judgement around those topics, said Pharaoh.  

Pharaoh has set a schedule of four events per month to take place 106 Division Ave in Grand Rapids taking place on:
1st Friday 4pm - 6pm
2nd Sunday 6pm - 9pm
3rd Thursday 6pm - 9pm
the last Saturday 4pm – 6pm, centered around the themes of: 

• February: Poetry/Public Speaking 
• March: Photography/Videography/Modeling 
• April: Storytelling/Fine Arts 
• May: Empowerment & Health Policies 
• June: De-carceration & Abolition/Civil Rights 
• July: Journalism/Mixed Media 

 Pharaoh says that his main goal for this residency is to improve the community by fostering connections and providing platforms for artists to shine. 

 Based on the belief that all people have the ability to express themselves creatively, Dwelling Place’s Community Arts initiatives create space for self-expression and community connection. Dwelling Place uses art and culture to build relationships, bring people who feel isolated to the center, amplify resident voices, communicate with one another, and celebrate our neighborhoods and communities.  

With a mission to improve the lives of people by creating quality affordable housing, providing essential support services, and serving as a catalyst for neighborhood revitalization, Dwelling Place serves families and people in 4 counties across West Michigan. Dwelling Place is powered by volunteers and numerous staff persons, interns, Americorps workers, and guest writers. Thanks to JD Sullivan, Americorps/VISTA Dwelling Place CB&E Communications Coordinator for his contribution of this article.