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The main building of the Detroit Institute of Arts, designed by architect Paul Philipe Cret. Detroit Institute of Arts image.

Millage approval spares Detroit museum of drastic cutbacks

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
The main building of the Detroit Institute of Arts, designed by French-American architect and industrial designer Paul Philipe Cret, Detroit Institute of Arts image.
The main building of the Detroit Institute of Arts, designed by French-American architect and industrial designer Paul Philipe Cret, Detroit Institute of Arts image.

DETROIT (AP) – Voters in southeastern Michigan have approved a special millage to support the Detroit Institute of Arts.

Leaders of the cultural institution say the 10-year millage passed Tuesday by voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties provides financial stability. Officials warned it would have to sharply curtail services and cut staff if the millage failed.

The tax works out to $20 annually on a home worth $200,000 and would raise about $23 million a year. That’s nearly as much as the museum’s current annual operating budget.

Museum admission will be free to residents of the three counties.

Museum Director Graham W. J. Beal told The Associated Press “people have resoundingly voted for the DIA and the quality of life in this region” despite “incredibly difficult times” and an “anti-tax mood.”

Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

AP-WF-08-08-12 0356GMT

ADDITIONAL IMAGE OF NOTE

The main building of the Detroit Institute of Arts, designed by French-American architect and industrial designer Paul Philipe Cret, Detroit Institute of Arts image.
The main building of the Detroit Institute of Arts, designed by French-American architect and industrial designer Paul Philipe Cret, Detroit Institute of Arts image.