Auxiliary Memberships

Join the fun!
The Detroit Institute of Arts’ auxiliary groups offer members many opportunities to explore their interests, develop new tastes, and get involved in the life of the museum. These volunteer groups allow you to socialize and share your passion for art with other members and staff. Each has developed loyal and active supporters who help raise funds to purchase important works of art. Each auxiliary group has a staff advisor and board of directors that plan yearly educational and social programs. We encourage you to become a member of one or more of the groups.


Asian and Islamic Art Forum: Asian and Islamic Art Forum welcomes all who enjoy and are intrigued by the arts of Asia, the Islamic World, and the Ancient Middle East. Join us in promoting appreciation and understanding of works of art from these historical and contemporary cultures. Forum members enjoy special receptions, gallery tours, workshops and symposia. They also have the opportunity to participate in trips to galleries, museums and art historical sites in the USA and around the world. The Forum sponsors five public lectures annually, and supports acquisitions of art to expand the DIA's permanent collections. Click here to visit The Asian and Islamic Art Forum site.	Bottle 1296/1321 (Islamic)

The Associates of the American Wing: The DIA has one of the strongest American art collections in the world. Associates of the American Wing members enjoy special programs dealing with American painting, sculpture, and decorative arts of the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries. These events include behind-the-scenes experiences, private viewings of special exhibitions, and exciting tours of other museums and private collections. Click here to visit The Associates of the American Wing site.	Self Portrait 1898 (James Carroll Beckwith)

Friends of the Detroit Film Theatre: Calling all movie buffs! Join Friends of the Detroit Film Theatre (DFT) and help to support the DFT film series, preserve the DIA’s collection of film, video, and related materials, and raise funds toward restoration of the museum’s historic auditorium. Membership includes free admission to two or more DFT screenings (depending on the membership level). Members also enjoy special activities such as organized discussions following selected screenings, lectures by prominent film experts, and receptions linked to film events.

European Paintings Council: Get to know the DIA’s renowned collection of European paintings. Through focused gallery tours, visits to the DIA’s conservation laboratory, lectures, and more, this auxiliary provides behind-the-scenes opportunities, supporting one of the museum’s most important collections. The council sponsors one free public lecture each year enabling it to bring a distinguished specialist of international repute to Detroit. To encourage private collecting, as well as foster a greater knowledge of collections nationwide, members travel to other U.S. cities and major international art markets. Click here to visit the European Paintings Council site.	Selene and Endymion Diana and Endymion 1630 (Nicolas Poussin)

Founders Junior Council: Founders Junior Council is a group of young professionals dedicated to making the DIA more accessible to more people. As one of the museum's largest auxiliaries, Founders Junior Council encourages involvement with and support of the museum through a variety of programs and activities that merge art and fun. These include behind-the-scenes tours, a masked ball, and parties such as ArtSeen and the annual Fash Bash - always one of the year's swankiest events. Click here to visit the Founders Junior Council site.	Portrait of Manuel Pallares 1909 (Pablo Picasso)

Friends of African and African-American Art: Supporting both the General Motors Center for African-American Art and the museum’s renowned collection of African Art, the Friends of African and African American Art (FAAAA) is one of the DIA’s most active auxiliaries. FAAAA is committed to developing appreciation of African and African-American art and supporting acquisitions in these important areas. The auxiliary organizes lectures and exhibitions that feature both well-established and emerging African-American artists. Since 1964, the group’s gala fundraiser, Bal African, has been one of the most anticipated annual events on the DIA calendar. Click here to visit the Friends of African and African-American Art site.	Ancestral Memory mid 20th Century (Hale Woodruff)

Friends of Art & Flowers: This group was formed in 1985 as the result of a highly successful Art & Flowers Spring Festival. The Friends’ primary function is the beautification of the DIA. The most visible examples are the year-round floral arrangements in the lobbies and plant displays throughout the museum. Hands-on experience is available for interested members and volunteers. The Elizabeth Sites Kuhlman Lecture Series brings a nationally known expert in floral design or gardening to the museum each spring. Click here to visit the Friends of Art and Flowers site.	Flowers in a Glass Vase 1704 (Rachel Ruysch)

Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art: FMCA, the museum's oldest auxiliary, supports art acquisitions and activities of the James Pearson Duffy Department of Contemporary Art. The Friends are known for their exciting events including a full schedule of lectures, workshops, performances, special exhibition previews, and the popular series "Artalks" that pairs lively and engaging speakers with important local private collections. Click here to visit the Friends of Modern and Contemporary Art site.	Sarah Hewitt 2005 (Yinka Shonibare) English, fiberglass, batik fabric, leather, wood, and steel. ©2007 Yinka Shonibare, courtesy of James Cohan Gallery.

Forum for Prints, Drawings & Photographs: Catering to all age groups the Forum for Prints, Drawings & Photographs is known for enthusiastic member involvement and camaraderie. With educational and social programs built around related DIA exhibitions, dinners, lectures, workshops and festive previews, there’s enough to keep any graphic arts enthusiast busy and intrigued. Visits to other collections are planned yearly and the group organizes Summer Soirees, a biennial series of events in private homes to raise funds for the purchase of a work on paper for the museum’s collection. Members are also given the opportunity to acquire prints and photographs commissioned by the Forum. Click here to visit the Forum for Prints, Drawings & Photographs site.	Self Portrait Maennerbildnis 1918 (Erich Heckel)

Visiting Committee for European Sculpture and Decorative Arts: The Visiting Committee studies European decorative arts in all their variety. Members are committed enthusiasts who work closely with curators in planning and sponsoring public lectures and connoisseurship seminars. Extraordinary travel opportunities include tours of public and rarely seen private collections in the U.S. and abroad. With funds raised, the Visiting Committee supports acquisitions and programs. Click here to visit the Visiting Committee for European Sculpture and Decorative Arts site.	Bust of Cosimo I, Grand Duke of Tuscany 1572 (Giovanni Bandini)

DIA Volunteer Council: The DIA's Volunteer Council is a group of more than 700 individuals who donate their time to provide a great experience for museum visitors and to extend the DIA's presence in the community. Volunteers talk about the DIA's outstanding collection to school children in their classrooms, guide tour groups in the museum, serve as gallery hosts, staff the information desks, assist in the museum shop, lecture on the collection to adult groups in the community, serve as ushers at the DFT and help museum staff with tasks ranging from stuffing envelopes to specialized placement in one of the museum's departments. Click here to visit the DIA Volunteer Council site.