Arts&Life

culture

62 | SEPTEMBER 17 • 2020 

I

n pandemic terms, summer has been a 
significant time for the Detroit Cultural 
Center, where the community again can 
find inspiration and solace from in-person 
experiences with various forms of creative 
expression. 
Doors began opening once more — 
although not all the way — by institutions 
adhering to restrictions imposed to protect 
the health of employees and guests. Doner, 
the Southfield-based ad agency, used its 
resources to produce a video, Culture Can’
t 
Wait, that reminds the community of what 
can be accessed.
Sascha Raiyn of WDET narrated the 
attractions of the Detroit Institute of 
Arts (DIA), Charles H. Wright Museum 
of African American History, Detroit 
Historical Museum, Michigan Science 
Center, Hellenic Museum of Michigan, The 
Scarab Club, Detroit Public Library and 
Carr Center. 

Also going along with safety consid-
erations, only a crew of two worked on 
the video that provides reminders of how 
culture “moves us forward” as a “record of 
survival.
” The narration affirms: “The more 
we create against all odds, the more we dis-
cover our inner strength.
”
Whether showcasing artistry from 
across the centuries at the DIA, offering a 
current exhibit about Greece’
s role in Nazi 
Germany’
s defeat at the Hellenic Museum 
of Michigan or displaying artifacts from 
the Motor City’
s past at the Detroit 
Historical Museum, presenters invite mem-
bers of the Michigan community to return. 
“What is different [about being open 
during the pandemic] depends on the 
institution, but we all worked with the 
National Sanitation Foundation for coming 
up with playbooks, guidelines 
and protocols for keeping 
visitors and staff safe,
” said 
Felicia Eisenberg Molnar, DIA 
executive director of strategic 
initiatives. 
“The guidelines that were 
developed are in synch with 
the governor’
s emergency orders so there 
are specific capacity loads inside buildings 
which are being adhered to. People have to 
wear masks to meet state requirements for 
staff and visitors, and the food service is 
not open.
”
At the DIA, there is advance-timed 
ticketing as the visiting level has been at 
20 percent of capacity. Prospective visitors 
can go to the website to check whether 
preferred times are available. The other 
institutions can be contacted to learn about 
their altered hours.
“The work of cultural center planning 
initiatives was begun about two years ago,
” 

said Molnar, who attends Congregation 
Shir Tikvah in Troy. “The cultural planning 
group has been meeting over many issues, 
and that’
s how this video came about as 
overseen by Midtown Detroit Inc.
“The video is a beautiful effort by Doner 
to create synergy between these institutions 
and highlight the world-class institutions 
that we have in Detroit and the treasures 
that are here for people to enjoy during 
these times.
”
While pointing out the aesthetics, 
Molnar also points out that the staff is 
taking over much of the responsibilities 
of volunteers with extra attention given to 
sanitation.

INSPIRING FILM
“Doner was thrilled to be involved in this 
important initiative,
” said Jimmy Kollin, 
executive vice president for business devel-
opment and communications 
and a member of Temple 
Israel. 
“Our agency is keenly aware 
of the importance and impact 
of the arts and our cultural 
center. We have been longtime 
supporters. Creating this beau-
tiful film required creativity in the concep-
tual — and production — phases. We shot 
this film with one director/cameraman and 
one camera assistant spaced 6 feet apart, 
wearing masks and abiding by all state and 
CDC guidelines. 
“We are so fortunate to have such cul-
tural riches in our city — all conveniently 
located in one concentrated area. Our 
hope is this work will inspire more visits, 
further educate our community and inspire 
creative thinking. After all, that’
s how we 
move forward.
” 

ANDREW JAMESON – WIKIPEDIA

Felicia 
Eisenberg 
Molnar

Culture 
Can’t 
Wait

New video shows Metro 
Detroit culture lovers all 
they can still do, despite 
the pandemic.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Jimmy Kollin

details
Culture Can’
t Wait can 
be seen on the web-
sites and social media 
channels for the Detroit 
Institute of Arts, Detroit 
Public Library, Detroit 
Historical Museum, 
Scarab Club and 
Doner’
s social feeds.

DIA

