College Art Association President Anne Collins Goodyear and Executive Director Linda Downs have released an open letter to the Emergency Manager of the City of Detroit, Kevyn Orr, expressing their staunch opposition to the deaccessioning of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection to cover the city’s debts.

An Open Letter to:

Mr. Kevyn Orr, Emergency Manager

City of Detroit

2 Woodward Avenue

Detroit, Michigan 48226

Dear Mr. Orr:

On behalf of the College Art Association that represents over 14,000 art historians, artists, curators, art educators and art conservators we express our shock and concern upon learning of the possible selling of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection to cover the city’s debts.

The Detroit Institute of Arts is one of the greatest art museums in the country that represents the finest creative achievements throughout the history of the world. The DIA is not only a great treasure but one of the very few places in Detroit where all people can enjoy, contemplate and study art and its many related concepts. The DIA has developed itself as a public educational institution and has been a leader in the profession at engaging with all segments of the community.

The CAA adheres to the principal that public art museums are held in the public trust and as such are to be protected for the public good. It also supports the Alliance of Museums Code of Ethics and the Association of Art Museum Directors’ Policy on Deaccessioning that states that the sale of art museum collections to support operating expenses is unethical.

We appeal to your higher judgment in assessing the true value of the DIA and its critical role for the public good of the city, state, and the country in deliberating on the future of this great collection.

Sincerely yours,

Anne Collins Goodyear

President

Linda Downs

Executive Director

# # #

With any questions about this open letter, please contact:

Virginia Reinhart

vreinhart@collegeart.org

P: 212-392-4426