The museum's Diego Rivera murals were commissioned by Edsel Ford, the son of Henry Ford.
The DIA building was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989.
The museum was the first in the United States to purchase a painting by Vincent van Gogh, 'Self-Portrait' (1887).
The museum's collection includes significant artifacts from the ancient Near East, Egypt, and Greece.
The institution transitioned to a tri-county millage-funded model in 2012 to ensure financial stability.
The current building includes the Paul Philippe Cret-designed original structure and the 2007 Michael Graves-designed expansion.
The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) houses a collection of over 65,000 works spanning global history from ancient times to the present. It is globally recognized for its expansive holdings of African American art and its comprehensive collection of European masterworks. The museum is architecturally anchored by the Detroit Industry Murals, painted by Diego Rivera in the early 1930s. These 27 fresco panels cover the interior of the central Rivera Court and detail the history of the Ford Motor Company. The museum operates as a nonprofit institution serving the tri-county area of southeast Michigan. Its galleries are organized both chronologically and by geographic origin to provide historical context. The facility includes a dedicated conservation laboratory to maintain its extensive permanent collection. It remains one of the largest and most significant art museums in the United States.
The central Rivera Court, providing a panoramic view of the Diego Rivera murals from the ground level.
Prioritize visiting the Diego Rivera Court first, as it is the architectural centerpiece of the museum.
Check the museum's event calendar for rotating temporary exhibitions that often require supplemental planning.
Utilize the museum's map to navigate the expansive galleries, as the floor plan is large and can be disorienting.
Attempting to see the entire 65,000-piece collection in a single visit, which often leads to viewer fatigue.
Closed on Mondays and major public holidays.
Photography is permitted for personal use only without flash or tripods; food and drinks are strictly prohibited in gallery spaces.
