Detroit

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Detroit Institute of Arts

More Photos
Betty Viaggiatrice
First Reviewer
4 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
2
Reviews
1
Photo
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-2 of 2
Editor Pick

Detroit Institute of Arts

  • August 23, 2006
  • Rated 4 of 5 by lwitkop from St. Johns, Michigan
I visited the museum for the first time when I took a group of students there for a field trip. I must say I was impressed. The exhibit we were most interested in was the Diego Rivera mural because I had just done a project on it in my Spanish class, but we also took a general tour and gave the students time to explore so they could have the general cultural experience.

I didn't realize there was such a variety of art in the museum before my visit. There was truly something for every interest, and our guide was quite knowledgeable about the pieces she pointed out during the tour. There was art grouped by movement, time period, and culture. I can imagine students of a particular time period or art style could spend an entire day just examining the pieces relevant to their study.

And I have to mention the Diego Rivera mural, since it was the piece I specifically wanted to see. It didn't disappoint. You can study the concept of murals all you want, and look at lots of pictures and videos of examples, but you just don't get a feel for the size and scope of a mural until you see it firsthand. I understand this mural is unique in America, since most of Rivera's other work is only on display in Mexico.

There was a special exhibit at the time, but it required an additional ticket and waiting in line so we didn't visit it, but from what I understand, they regularly have special collections on display, so you can keep your eye out for pieces that especially interest you, and the new infusion of pieces gives repeat visitors something new to look forward to.

The cost of admission was very affordable, $1 for students and $3 for adults, especially considering the quality of the pieces the museum holds.

I know some people hear the word Detroit, and they start to get concerned about safety, but I never felt unsafe, especially since the museum was on a block with other cultural buildings.

From journal Detroit Attractions

Detroit Institute of Arts

The best thing about the DIA is the Diego Rivera mural. It was commissioned by the DIA in the '30s with the instructions to paint something that relates to the industrial heritage of the city. It's my favorite thing in Detroit, culturally speaking.

The rest of the gallery has a relatively generic set of paintings (although, bizarrely, some interesting German Expressionism) and temporary exhibitions (when we visited, it was the DaimlerChrysler Contemporary Art Collection). It is currently under renovation, but the museum is still open and the Rivera murals are still accessible.

From journal Stuff to do in Detroit City

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-2 of 2

Compare Detroit Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Helpful Detroit Links

Detroit Travel Deals