The Eyes

The Eyes

Friday, January 31, 2014

Detroit Institute of Arts Secures the Museum's Collection

Once at risk of losing its collection to save the failing City of Detroit, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) confirmed its participation in a plan being facilitated to help bring an end to the City’s bankruptcy, expand support for the City’s pensioners, and protect the museum’s collection for the public in perpetuity. Its Board of Directors approved a commitment by DIA to raise $100 million from corporate and individual donors toward these efforts. 

None of the funds raised by DIA will directly benefit the museum. The funds will be directed to a third party, which will disburse the funds for pension payments. As part of the agreement, the City of Detroit will transfer to DIA free and clear legal title to the museum building, the art collection and all related assets. DIA will continue to operate the museum with funds raised from its current donor base and from the tri-county millage. 

DIA will focus its initial fundraising efforts on Detroit’s corporate community. DIA leadership has compiled a list of initial prospects, finalized support materials, and held several preliminary conversations with interested donors. Details of the overall agreement are still in negotiation, but DIA is moving forward with fundraising as those talks continue. 

One of the premier art museums in the United States, DIA is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first Van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932–33), DIA’s collection is known for its quality, range, and depth. Its mission is to create opportunities for all visitors to find personal meaning in art.

Detroit Industry murals by Diego Rivera
Detroit Institute of Arts


1 comment:

Lynette A. Griffin said...

I've just learned something new. Thank you! Very impressive ... 60,000 works? Wow!