points of view

Saving The DIA from page 27

Dry Bones full' ow

DETROIT
INSTITCCTE
OF ARTS

Siiinver at the .D. !i4 "s spolsoreci
Fore roun at ion Pc ;-ti _. , ,.it Camera
is organized by the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford, C.nriecticiit.
Five Spanish Masterpieces IS organized by the Detroit institute of Arts. Picasso and
Matisse: The DIA's Prins and Drawings is organized by tne Detroit Instttute of Arts at,d

oil on canvas. Mused MiCiOr101 del Prado, Madrid. .:;:qN, Maseo NaciaT- ia! del Prato, Ma ;rid

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28

July 19 2012

tion, significant cuts beyond the 2009
reductions would severely impair the
museum's ability to operate.
Fortunately, a solution that will pro-
tect our DIA is at hand.
The museum's ultimate goal is to
become financially self-sustaining.
After considerable research and
evaluation, a plan to create a dedicated
millage to temporarily restore public
funding for the DIA, which would
allow the institution to focus on build-
ing a permanent operating endow-
ment, was identified as the best option
to guarantee the DIM continuing
viability and eventual non-reliance on
public funding.
That is why on Tuesday, Aug. 7, vot-
ers in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb
counties will have the opportunity to
approve a .2 mill levy to create respec-
tive county art authorities, which
would partner with the DIA over the
next 10 years. The art authorities
would distribute funds to the DIA and
guarantee services to county residents.
Cost for homeowners would be an
annual levy of $10 for every $100,000
of a house's fair market value.
In return, residents of each county
that approves the proposal would
have unlimited free general admis-
sion to the museum. In addition,
it would allow for an expansion of
operating hours to better accom-
modate the general public and
school groups. It further would
fund education and public pro-
grams, and provide support for
exhibitions.
As we work to rebuild the econo-

my of our region and
our state, we can't
leave our cultural
institutions behind.
We can't have a great
city and a great state
without great culture.
And we can't have
great culture without
a great art institute.
Fortunately, we have
exactly that in the
DIA.
As we provide
education for the
next generation
of leaders in our
city and state, it is
critical that it include
exposure to the arts.
There is no better
place for that expo-
sure to take place
than the DIA. The
free admission that
would accompany
the proposal would
open the door to a
whole new approach
to education for our students.
We must step forward now and
assume responsibility for stewardship
for institutions like our DIA.
So join me on Aug. 7 with a "yes"
vote for the DIM future and the future
of culture in Michigan.

Mark Davidoff of West Bloomfield is a

DIA board member.

For Israel
And Our Jewish
Community

The threat of a nuclear Iran still
looms large over Israel and the
Middle East. Legislation to eliminate
contracts between Michigan entities
and Iran has passed the state House
and is being considered in the state
Senate. Please call your state senator
and urge his/her support for S.B. 1024.

Prepared by Allan Gale, Jewish
Community Relations Council of
Metropolitan Detroit

@ July 19, 2012, Jewish Renaissance Media