Great Art, New Start: Building Renovation and Expansion Fact Sheet

Project Description
The Detroit Institute of Arts is undergoing a major renovation, including a complete reinstallation of the galleries that will provide visitors with a more comprehensive and engaging experience of the museum’s exceptional collections. Currently housed in a 1927 Beaux Arts building designed by Paul Cret, the DIA last underwent major structural changes in the late 1960s, when the museum’s North and South Wings were added.

Location
5200 Woodward Avenue, in the heart of Midtown Detroit

Groundbreaking
April 30, 2001

Primary Designers
Michael Graves,
Michael Graves & Associates, Princeton, NJ

Architect of Record
The SmithGroup

Building Contractors
Walbridge/Jenkins

DIA Leadership
Graham W. J. Beal, Director
Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors

Square Feet Prior to Building Project
Approximately 600,000

Additional Gallery Space
35,190 square feet

Total Gallery Space
152,379 square feet

Major New Features
Major physical changes to the building include:

• 31,383 square-foot addition with three stories and a full basement
• Improved visitor amenities
• New façade on the North and South Wings
• Renovation of the Farnsworth Street Lobby
• Conversion of the north court into new gallery space
• North-south corridor of galleries at the center of the building that will make it easier for visitors to navigate the museum.
• Loggia for the Detroit Film Theatre
• Prentis Court balconies

Education Center
The new Education Center will consist of the following:

• The Walter Gibbs Learning Center. The Gibbs Center, which opens following late 2007, will feature exhibitions based on the DIA’s collections, interactive learning aids, multimedia computer programs, videos, books, photographs, and music.
• Two art studios with kiln facilities
• A large space for classes and lectures
• Offices for studio staff

CaféDIA
The new Café DIA opened in Dec. 2003 and features dining space for 250. The menu ranges from an extensive salad bar to gourmet sandwiches, soups, hot entrees, and more. The flexible space can be divided into three separate areas for private meetings/functions, or used as a single large event space. The Café also includes a new kitchen on basement and first floor levels.

Museum Shop
The new Museum Shop will be larger than the previous store, with significantly more frontage in the Farnsworth Street Lobby.

Currently on View
As improvements are underway in the North and South Wings, the art in these areas has been temporarily de-installed to protect it during construction. The DIA is using this time as an opportunity to display some the museum’s “greatest hits” in non-traditional installations called “Remix.” New objects will continue to be introduced as the renovation progresses, giving the museum an opportunity to showcase the depth and range of its collections while inviting the public to find new connections among the art of different cultures and eras.

Collections and Programming
Founded in 1885, the DIA is one of the foremost art museums in the United States and a leading cultural resource for the city and the region. The DIA is home to some 60,000 works of art, which comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from prehistory through the 21st century. From the first van Gogh to enter a U.S. museum (Self Portrait, 1887) to Diego Rivera's celebrated Detroit Industry murals, the DIA's collection reveals the scope and depth of human experience, imagination and emotion. The current building project will enable the DIA to exhibit more of its collection and offer new programming that connects the community to the museum’s exceptional resources.