The Volterra-Detroit Foundation facilitates international cultural and artistic exchange and collaboration between the communities of Detroit and Volterra. It organizes a variety of academic programs at the International Residential College in Volterra. The Foundation works with the University of Detroit Mercy (its primary educational partner) and other educational institutions to provide students with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the history, culture and architecture of Tuscany, Italy and Europe.
The Volterra – Detroit Foundation is a 501(c)(3) public non-profit foundation, which has been created by the Alumni and Faculty of the School of Architecture University of Detroit Mercy to fund the renovation and adaptation of the building of the former Art School in Volterra (Italy) for the Volterra International Residential College. Follow to read more about the activities of the Volterra-Detroit Foundation
In October, 2016, a small team of researchers and professionals embarked upon a journey to digitally reconstruct and preserve many of the historically significant architectural, archeological and artistic treasures of the ancient city of Volterra, Italy.  The results of this and subsequent workshops (in June, 2017; April, 2018; April 2019 and October 2022) have had great value to the team and the City of Volterra and have been recognized by nearly 40 international publications.  We are very proud that our work was one of four projects to be recognized by the prestigious American Institute of Architects Technology in Architectural Practice Innovation Awards program and has most recently been featured by National Geographic in their documentary series “Lost Treasures of Rome” in the “Secrets of the Colosseum” episode. Follow to read more about the research at the Volterra-Detroit Foundation.