Detroit Institute of Arts Moves Towards Financial Sustainability
In the past twelve months, the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) has secured more than $10 million in donations to the museum’s unrestricted operating endowment, moving the institution closer to its goal of financial sustainability. These substantial gifts come from five philanthropic families -- Richard A. and Joanne D. Brodie, Peter and Carol Walters and The Walters Family Foundation, Peter and Peggy Kross, Cynthia N. and Edsel B. Ford and Robert B. and Kathleen Rosowski – and demonstrate continued strong community support for the museum and its work.
“We are humbled by the strong belief in the work we are doing and are thankful for these important investments in the DIA’s future, as we continue to provide world-class education to our schools and access to art, culture and history for everyone,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA Director. “The DIA continues to work diligently toward building an operating endowment that will fully fund museum operations, and these significant gifts are critical in reaching that goal.”
Richard A. and Joanne D. Brodie have been donors to the DIA for more than 40 years, as members of the Society of Associates, trip attendees, and regular attendees to the Annual Gala and various auxiliary events. Their leadership is seen throughout the institution with Richard’s tenure on the Board of Directors and Joanne as Past Chair of the Visiting Committee of European Decorative Arts. Richard currently serves as Chair of the Collections Committee of the Board and on its Executive Committee. In recognition of their support, the museum’s Medici Gallery will be designated The Richard A. and Joanne D. Brodie Gallery.
Two years ago, the Walters Family Foundation, led by Peter and Carol Walters, made a grant for pilot work with Head Start programs in the region, providing opportunities for pre-kindergarten children and their parents to experience the museum often for the first time. Peter and Carol’s most recent gift will endow the position of Walters Family Director, Education Programs at the DIA. Carol is a member of the Board of Directors Executive Committee, the Education Committee and was recently named the Co-Chair of the Public Affairs Committee.
Peter and Peggy Kross have been DIA donors for nearly 40 years, as members, supporting the annual fund, and giving to previous campaigns. With this new gift, the Krosses become members of the museum’s Woodward Circle giving society and demonstrate their devotion to the institution and their belief in its future.
A gift from Cynthia N. and Edsel B. Ford continues the legacy of Ford family investment in the DIA, which goes back generations, to the museum’s early roots. Of note, Edsel Ford’s grandfather Edsel commissioned the museum’s Diego Rivera’s Detroit Industry Murals in the 1930s. Recent Gala Chair and Board member Cynthia Ford serves as a member of the Governance and Nominating, Endowment Campaign and on the Executive Committees of the Board.
Robert B. and Kathleen Rosowski are longtime generous supporters of the DIA as members, with particular interest in European Sculpture & Decorative Arts. The Rosowskis sponsored the Make A Joyful Noise exhibition in 2015, highlighting Renaissance art and music at Florence Cathedral. Robert has also served the museum in a leadership capacity as a member of the Board of Directors’ Audit Committee.
Eugene A. Gargaro, Jr., DIA Board and Endowment Campaign Chair, welcomed these leadership gifts by noting that “We thank these generous donors for their exemplary support and for the added momentum these gifts will provide to help us secure our Endowment Campaign goals.”
