Lead with Design
With a belief in the power of city design to transform communities, the Mayors’ Institute on City Design (MICD) educates mayors to be the chief urban designers of their cities.
MICD is a leadership initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the United States Conference of Mayors. Since 1986, we’ve offered collaborative learning programs and resources to mayors in order to make a purposeful, positive impact on America.
SCISSORTAIL PARK, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK DESIGNED BY HARGREAVES JONES / PHOTO BY VISIT OKLAHOMA CITYOur purpose is to improve people’s lives through design, shaping cities that are resilient, equitable, and thriving.
Solving Arts & Culture Challenges Together
Individual and community values are expressed and validated through arts and culture. We help mayors understand the expansive role that the arts can play in engaging communities, building connections, creating new narratives, and driving economic development.
All Arts & Culture ProjectsSolving Equitable Development Challenges Together
Mayors can meet the needs of underserved communities through policies and programs that reduce disparities, while fostering places that are healthy and vibrant. Whether addressing real estate, transit, safety, public health, or housing, we look at how mayors’ decisions can positively impact the lives of all residents.
All Equitable Development ProjectsSolving Infrastructure Challenges Together
We believe that every piece of infrastructure a city builds should contribute to the human spirit. We help mayors understand how to build partnerships that ensure infrastructure investments are resilient, sustainable, and lead to a greater quality of life for their people.
All Infrastructure ProjectsSolving Policy & Planning Challenges Together
Municipal actions, laws, and processes can all impact city design. Bringing together experts across design fields, we help facilitate conversations around policy so that mayors are informed and empowered to bring their vision to life.
All Policy & Planning ProjectsSolving Public Space Challenges Together
Public spaces, including parks, streetscapes, plazas, and waterfronts, often define a city. Our programs help mayors understand how these spaces can be created so that they are welcoming, useful, and unique to their community.
All Public Space ProjectsSolving Revitalization Challenges Together
Every city has neighborhoods that have suffered disinvestment and decline, despite often having resilient and steadfast residents. We help mayors lift the voices of their neighborhoods, leading to revitalization that celebrates culture and legacy, and does not lead to displacement.
All Revitalization Projects
Bethlehem — PA
Restoring an iconic steel plant into a vibrant venue for cultural events
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Birmingham — AL
Transforming a neglected neighborhood landmark into a community-centered hub.
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Alexandria — VA
Building a walkable, vibrant neighborhood centered around transit access
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Huntington — WV
Leading with a bold plan to revitalize three distinct neighborhoods
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Louisville — KY
Reclaiming the Ohio River as the city's front yard
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Little Rock — AR
Transforming Main Street into the award-winning Creative Corridor
View ProjectHow to Participate
Mayors
Design Leaders
Alumni
Our Impact
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1,200+
Mayoral Graduates
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700+
Design Leader Alumni
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National Impact
Representing all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico & Guam
This workshop took me by surprise. Within the first hour, my thinking was both turned on its head and expanded. I have a completely new awareness, language and framework for thinking about the design challenges and opportunities in my community.
Upcoming Events
Informational Webinar: 2025-2026 Special Session Hosts RFQ
MICD staff will host an informational webinar for universities and nonprofits interested in the 2025-2026 Special Sessions RFQ.
View EventAlumni Advising for 2024 MICD Participants
Virtual
MICD Alumni Advising helps alumni mayors continue addressing the complex challenges facing today’s cities, beyond the traditional MICD Institute Session model.
View EventMICD 80
Long Beach — CA
The 80th National Session of the Mayors' Institute on City Design will take place March 19-21, 2025.
View Event2025 MICD Just City Mayoral Fellowship
Cambridge — MA & Virtual
This unique and highly interactive program brings together a small group of mayors to directly tackle injustices in each of their cities through planning and design interventions.
View EventMICD 81
TBD
The 81st National Session of the Mayors' Institute on City Design will take place in Summer 2025.
View EventResources
Our Town Grants
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts offers matching grants to arts organizations, nonprofits, and local governments for creative placemaking projects.
Learn More
Ready to lead with design?
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