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The DIA has been a beacon of culture for the Detroit area for well over a century. Founded in 1885, the museum was originally located on Jefferson Avenue, but, due to its rapidly expanding collection, moved to a larger site on Woodward Avenue in 1927. The new Beaux-Arts building, designed by Paul Cret, was immediately referred to as the "temple of art." Two wings were added in the 1960s and 1970s, and a major renovation and expansion that began in 1999 is scheduled for completion in 2007.
The museum covers 600,000 square feet that includes more than 100 galleries, an 1,150-seat auditorium, a 380-seat lecture/recital hall, an art reference library, and a state-of-the-art conservation services laboratory. The current renovation and expansion will add 77,000 square feet.
The DIA's collection is one of the largest, most significant in the United States, comprising a multicultural and multinational survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century. The foundation was laid by William Valentiner, a scholar and art historian from Berlin, who was director from 1924-45. His extensive contacts in Europe, along with support from generous patrons, enabled him to acquire many important works that established the framework of today's collections. Among the notable acquisitions during his tenure are Mexican artist Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry fresco cycle, considered Rivera's most important work in the U.S., and Vincent van Gogh's Self Portrait, the first van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum collection.
A hallmark of the DIA is the diversity of the collection. In addition to outstanding American, European, Modern and Contemporary, and Graphic art, the museum holds significant works of African, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, Islamic, and Ancient art. Among these are the masterpiece sculpture Nail Figure from Zaire and a rare Korean Head of Buddha. In 2000, the DIA established the General Motors Center for African American Art as a curatorial department in order to broaden the museum's collection of African American art.
The museum's current director is Graham W. J. Beal, who arrived in 1999 from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In the short time Beal has been director, he has established the General Motors Center for African American Art (2000), instituted a reorganization of the development and curatorial departments, and is overseeing the major building construction, renovation and reinstallation project, scheduled for completion in late 2007.
Main Line: 313.833.7900
Weekend Hotline: 313.833.7530
TDD: 313.833.1454
| DIA Flickr Photo Contest! |
| Jul 9, 2008 |
| In conjunction with the exhibition Kenro Izu: Sacred Places, the Detroit Institute of Arts is organizing an online photo contest that invites DIA visitors, the online community, and the general public to submit photos that capture their interpretation of sacred Detroit. Exhibition curators Nancy Barr and Amelia Chau, as well as Kyohei Abe, professor of photography at the College for Creative Studies, will blog to review and comment on a selection of the submissions. The winner of the contest will receive prizes, including a signed copy of Kenro Izu: Light over Sacred Places of Asia, two front-row seats to Izu's lecture on September 14, 2008, and admission for two to the post-lecture strolling supper.
Join the conversation!
Photo submissions open July 9 and run through September 3.
Exhibition:
http://www.dia.org/exhibitions/item.asp?webitemid=1180
Blog:
http://detroitssacredplaces.wordpress.com/
Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/groups/detroitssacredplaces/
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| Kenro Izu Sacred Places at DIA |
| Jul 8, 2008 |
Kenro Izu: Sacred Places features over 50 black-and-white photographs of spiritual landmarks located in Asia, the Pacific Islands, the Middle East, and Europe. It's on view at the DIA July 9-October 12. Renowned for his stunningly beautiful photographs of the ancient temples in Angkor, Cambodia, Japanese-born artist Kenro Izu has traveled extensively since 1979, capturing images of religious sites and monuments across the world. A number of these sites have never been photographed before, while others are endangered from neglect, environmental challenges, or overexposure to human contact. Much more than merely documentary in nature, Izu's photographs convey the spiritual essence of these sites that have resonated over millennia with peoples of many faiths.
Kenro Izu: Sacred Places was organized and is circulated by the Peabody Essex Museum, Salem, Massachusetts. All photographs are lent by The Lane Collection, courtesy of the Peabody Essex Museum. |
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| May Membership Month Coming to a Close |
| May 23, 2008 |
| Membership month is rapidly coming to a close at the new DIA.Join today and enjoy unlimited free general admission!For the remainder of this month new members can also take advantage of a special one-time double-discount at the Museum Shop. You also won't want to miss single ticket discounts for summer films and special events; free Super Summer programs for families; 10% member discounts at CafeDIA, Kresge Court Coffee Shop, and the Museum Shop; and free exhibition tickets, including the upcoming blockbusters Monet to Dali and The Art of Norman Rockwell.Call the Membership HelpLine at (313) 833-7971 to take advantage of this special offer. |
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CafeDIA features a number of fabulous food stations that are sure to delight! Whether you are looking for a fresh crisp salad, hot soup, custom-made deli sandwiches, pizza, burgers, or something to satisfy your sweet tooth, CafeDIA has plenty to please the palates of all art-lovers, both young and old. Starbucks coffee, assorted teas, juices, milk, and soft drinks are also available. And do not forget, DIA Members enjoy a 10% discount.
CafeDIA Hours
Wednesday - Friday, 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Friday evenings. 5 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday, 11:30 a.m - 3 p.m.
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