The Detroit Institute of Arts, or DIA was founded in 1885 and christened a "temple of art.'' It was originally called the Detroit Museum of Art, with the name being changed in 1919 when the collection was given to the City of Detroit. Over the years, a number of expansion renovations took place, including a major build that lasted from 1999 to 2007. Today, the museum is home to more than 100 galleries covering over 670,000 square feet. This is one of the largest art collections in the United States, and their overall mission, according to their website, is to help every guest "find personal meaning in art.''
The DIA is known for its diversity in art. They have a number of exhibits ranging from prehistoric and ancient art to modern work. This museum was the first public collection in the United States to ever own and display a Van Gogh painting when the institute acquired the artist's Self Portrait in 1922. Many years later, in 2000, the museum put together Van Gogh: Face to Face along with the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Some of these pieces can still be seen at the DIA today in celebration of this artist's work.
There are a number of permanent displays at the DIA, as well as temporary displays that are changed every few months or years. The permanent collections include artwork from Africa, Oceania, the Indigenous Americans, the United States, Europe, Asia and the Islamic World. They also have specific collections that celebrate prints, drawings, and photographs. While at the DIA, visitors may also want to visit their performing arts department, the General Motors Center for Africa American Art, and The James Pearson Duffy Department of Contemporary Art. In addition, the museum's director has hand-picked a series of 12 works, called the "Director's Dozen''
In order to help preserve all of the artwork owned by the DIA, the museum has its own Conservation Department, complete with a state-of-the-art facility. Art history experts and scientists work side-by-side in this department to analyze artwork for information about its age and creation, which helps teach the museum how to best store the pieces.
The DIA provides a number of educational options to visitors. They have classes for youth and adults interested in creating art, school programs for child of all ages, downloadable lesson plans for teachers, monthly artist talks, and guest lecturers throughout the year.
Tourists can visit the DIA on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, on Fridays from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM, and on Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The DIA is closed to the public on Mondays and Tuesdays. Admission ranges from $4 to $8, depending on age, and museum members can visit for free. In addition, the DIA had package deals available through a number of nearby hotels, including The Detroit Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton in Dearborn, The Inn of Ferry Street, and the Townsend Hotel. For more information, visitors can call 313-833-7900 to talk to a museum staff member.
