Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit

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Been there a couple of times - pretty interesting place. From time to time it has different exhibits (like 'Camile Clodel and Rodin scuptures' one which I visited and enjoyed last year).
For general admission adults pay $6; kids -$3. For exhibits pay separately.

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If you are into fine art, you must visit the DIA. Not only is one of the two original copies of Auguste Rodin's "Thinker" in front, but a specially commissioned mural by Mexican artist Diego Rivera is inside on a court unto itself along with about 60,000 other pieces of artwork from all over the world.
Also, across the street are the Main Branch of the Detroit Public Library and the Detroit Historical Museum. Both are interesting and worth a look. The DPL also has some art work inside and the DHM has period settings of Detroit through the past three centuries, plus.

The DIA houses a great variety of art and artifacts from the ancient days of Egypt to to modern times. There's something for everyone here, no matter what type of art you like! Of course Diego Rivera's Detroit Industry is here covering 4 very large walls and kids love the mummies and armor.

Fridays the museum is open until 9pm with live music. Something different to do on the weekend! The DIA also offers various classes and workshops and houses the Detroit Film Theater which shows Indy and foriegn films. There is a cafe on site as well.

$6.00 adult, $3.00 children

During the month of August 2005 the DIA will be closed while they complete some new construction.

The DIA is undergoing some renovation right now, so certain areas may be closed. Check their website to see what is open. They have a cool Egyptian collection (with mummies) and many famous works of art ranging from ancient to contemporary. The huge Diego Rivera frescoes have always been my favorite.

The Detroit Instiute of Art is a great place. It's right downtown next to WSU's campus (where I've already mentioned to go to eat!) They very often have special things on display. I'm pretty sure the cost to get in something like a $3 "donation." If you get down there during the week it's usually full students. On the weekend's there's a bit more of a mix to the crowd. And it's very close to other attractions, like the Science Center.

Another favorite piece of mine at the DIA is Breughel the Elder's "Peasant Wedding." I remember learning about this painting in elementary school, when "picture lady" volunteers would come around on a monthly basis to our elementary school classroom and talk about important works of art. Do they still have "picture lady" programs anywhere?

Edsel Ford helped the board of the DIA decide to commission the greatest muralist of the 20th century, Diego Riviera, is paint a series of images in the central lobby of the Museum. The result is both a testament to the ingenuity of industry as well as a warning about the potentially dehumanizing effects of the industrial process. It's strong stuff, but to their credit the DIA didn't interfere with the essence of Riviera's creative vision - a strong contrast to the destruction wreaked upon the mural Rivera painted in New York City for Rockefeller Center. (For a fictionalized account of the New York fiasco, see Tim Robbins' film "Cradle Will Rock".)

A world-class museum in a very beleaguered city. This is one of those comprehensive and encyclopedic museums that is a testament to the human desire to collect and categorize everything under the sun. All continents and all styles are displayed here - the museum claims 65,000 items in its inventory.

The DIA (instit. of arts) has a very good and well rounded collection. They're getting bigger and bigger shows all the time.
There is the newly re-done science center right behind the DIA, they have a digital planetarrium(like the Hayden in N.Y.).
Right behind that there is the African American Cultural Museum. Haven't been there yet but I hear it's pretty cool.

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)
The DIA, the sixth largest fine art museum in the US, houses more than 60,000 works in more than 100 galleries. Although the collections often include minor works by major artists and major works by minor artists, there are many familiar names in the museum including Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Warhol, Riviera, Picasso and Monet. One of the most contraversial paintings is 'Martha and Mary Magdalene' by Caravaggio (see photo) that was purchased from a private collecter in the 1970s. Although the canvas dates to the correct period, it's not proven that the master painted this canvas. In addition, the adjacent Detroit Film Theatre shows an excellent series of foreign and independent films in a beautiful old-fashioned gilded movie palace complete with velvety seats.

The Detroit Institute of Art (DIA) which I'm actually still waiting to see. I think that I'll wait until my boyfriend comes to visit and we'll go together. I hear that it is definitely an experience worth having.