Can the Rescue of the Detroit Institute of Arts Serve as a National Model?

Arts programs across America have not been immune to the effects of the Great Recession. With institutions across the country struggling financially, Terry Teachout looks at whether the voter-approved bailout of the DIA can serve as a national model.

1 minute read

August 18, 2012, 7:00 AM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


The Atlanta Symphony's $20 million debt crisis, the closing of Palm Beach's Florida Stage, and the gutting of the New York City Opera, are just some examples of America's struggling arts environment. What can these and other institutions learn from the 10-year-long dedicated property-tax increase recently approved by voters in three counties served by the DIA?

According to Teachout, "To begin with, the DIA showed it was serious about money by slashing
every thimbleful of fat out of its budget. It simultaneously showed
itself to be responsive to the wishes of its patrons by undertaking an
imaginative reinstallation of the museum's permanent collection that was
both user-friendly and artistically responsible. Then, when the DIA
asked for public funding, it sweetened the pill with an equally
imaginative free-admission plan that targeted not just Detroiters but
local suburbanites."

"Contrast the DIA's approach with that of the Atlanta Symphony," writes Teachout, "which
is opting for innovation-free budget cutting instead of root-and-branch
institutional transformation."

"Cutting is not enough. You also have to think creatively and be willing
to take risks, as the DIA did when it asked the people of Detroit and
its suburbs to agree to a tax increase."

 

Friday, August 17, 2012 in The Wall Street Journal

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Bird's eye view of manufactured home park.

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing

Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

March 25, 2025 - Shelterforce

U-Haul truck on road with blurred grassy roadside in background.

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?

Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

March 27, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Rusty abandoned oil well and equipment with prickly pear cactus next to it in West Texas.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage

Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

March 31, 2025 - Pennsylvania State University

Aerial view of schoolyard in Oakland, California with newly planted trees, sports courts, and playground equipment.

Greening Oakland’s School Grounds

With help from community partners like the Trust for Public Land, Oakland Unified School District is turning barren, asphalt-covered schoolyards into vibrant, green spaces that support outdoor learning, play, and student well-being.

April 2 - FacilitiesNet

Power lines at golden hour with downtown Los Angeles in far background.

California Governor Suspends CEQA Reviews for Utilities in Fire Areas

Utility restoration efforts in areas affected by the January wildfires in Los Angeles will be exempt from environmental regulations to speed up the rebuilding of essential infrastructure.

April 2 - Los Angeles Times

Green roadside sign with white text reading "Entering Nez Perce Indian Reservation" against grassy field and blue sky.

Native American Communities Prepare to Lead on Environmental Stewardship

In the face of federal threats to public lands and conservation efforts, indigenous groups continue to model nature-centered conservation efforts.

April 2 - The Conversation