Politics & Government
Dearborn Reacts to News of DIA Art Appraisal
Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr's office announced Monday it will pay Christie's auction house $200,000 to evaluate Detroit Institute of Art artworks owned by the city as part of its bankruptcy proceedings.
This story was originally written and reported by Leslie Ellis.
News broke Monday that Christie’s auction house has been contracted to appraise a portion of the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection as part of the city's bankruptcy proceedings, prompting worry among the museum's supporters – including suburbanites who recently approved a millage to support the museum.
Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr's office will pay New York-based Christie’s $200,000 to evaluate DIA artworks owned by the city, as opposed to others with donor restrictions; the appraisal is expected to be completed by mid-October, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.
The city is grappling with an estimated $18 billion debt owed to bondholders, pensioners and others; the exact value of the DIA's artworks is unknown but is thought to be worth billions, the newspaper reports.
Word of the pending appraisal drew only minor response from residents on the Dearborn Patch Facebook page.
"$200,000 just to appraise the collection? Seems like something will have to be sold just to justify this price. What do I think? I think Snyder is up to something and is really being cavalier about trying for re-election. The DIA may be located in Detroit, but it is visited by residents of south east Michigan, northern Ohio, and Canada. This effects all of this area, and people in this areas are getting extremely up in arms about this," Barbara Houssien said.
In August 2102, voters in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties – including Dearborn – approved a tax of 0.2 mills for the next 10 years to help cover the museum's operating costs. In the meanwhile, the museum's fundraisers are working to build a sustainable endowment for the DIA.
But, the DIA released a statement Monday that threw into doubt the future of the millage and the institution itself:
"... Recent moves in Oakland and Macomb counties to invalidate the tri-county millage if art is sold virtually ensure that any forced sale of art would precipitate the rapid demise of the DIA. Removing $23 million in annual operating funds – nearly 75 percent of the museum’s operating budget – and violating the trust of donors and supporters would cripple the museum, putting an additional financial burden on our already struggling city. The DIA has long been doing business without City of Detroit operating support; any move that compromises its financial stability will endanger the museum and further challenge the city’s future."
Dearborn Patch reader Angie Marie said Detroit's bankruptcy issues are "tragic" for Michigan.
Kathy Byrnes agreed, stating: "Someone just told me that in bankruptcy all of the assets have to be listed so, hopefully, this is just part of the process."
News broke Monday that Christie’s auction house has been contracted to appraise a portion of the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection as part of the city's bankruptcy proceedings, prompting worry among the museum's supporters – including suburbanites who recently approved a millage to support the museum.
Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr's office will pay New York-based Christie’s $200,000 to evaluate DIA artworks owned by the city, as opposed to others with donor restrictions; the appraisal is expected to be completed by mid-October, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.
The city is grappling with an estimated $18 billion debt owed to bondholders, pensioners and others; the exact value of the DIA's artworks is unknown but is thought to be worth billions, the newspaper reports.
Word of the pending appraisal drew only minor response from residents on the Dearborn Patch Facebook page.
"$200,000 just to appraise the collection? Seems like something will have to be sold just to justify this price. What do I think? I think Snyder is up to something and is really being cavalier about trying for re-election. The DIA may be located in Detroit, but it is visited by residents of south east Michigan, northern Ohio, and Canada. This effects all of this area, and people in this areas are getting extremely up in arms about this," Barbara Houssien said.
In August 2102, voters in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties – including Dearborn – approved a tax of 0.2 mills for the next 10 years to help cover the museum's operating costs. In the meanwhile, the museum's fundraisers are working to build a sustainable endowment for the DIA.
But, the DIA released a statement Monday that threw into doubt the future of the millage and the institution itself:
"... Recent moves in Oakland and Macomb counties to invalidate the tri-county millage if art is sold virtually ensure that any forced sale of art would precipitate the rapid demise of the DIA. Removing $23 million in annual operating funds – nearly 75 percent of the museum’s operating budget – and violating the trust of donors and supporters would cripple the museum, putting an additional financial burden on our already struggling city. The DIA has long been doing business without City of Detroit operating support; any move that compromises its financial stability will endanger the museum and further challenge the city’s future."
Dearborn Patch reader Angie Marie said Detroit's bankruptcy issues are "tragic" for Michigan.
Kathy Byrnes agreed, stating: "Someone just told me that in bankruptcy all of the assets have to be listed so, hopefully, this is just part of the process."
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