Berkley, Huntington Woods React to News of DIA Art Appraisal

News broke Monday that Christie’s auction house has been contracted to appraise a portion of the Detroit Institute of Arts' collection as part of the city's bankruptcy proceedings, prompting worry among the museum's supporters – including suburbanites who recently approved a millage to support the museum. 

Word of the pending appraisal drew several comments on the Huntington Woods-Berkley Patch Facebook page Monday.

"It's painful to think about but we have got to get this city straightened out and restructured," Jennifer Nemeth wrote. "Returning to financial health means the streets and neighborhoods and schools can be a thing of beauty once again."

Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr's office will pay New York-based Christie’s $200,000 to evaluate DIA artworks owned by the city, as opposed to others with donor restrictions; the appraisal is expected to be completed by mid-October, the Detroit Free Press reported Monday.

The city is grappling with an estimated $18 billion debt owed to bondholders, pensioners and others; the exact value of the DIA's artworks is unknown but is thought to be worth billions, the newspaper reports.

In August 2102, voters in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties – including Berkley and Huntington Woods – approved a tax of 0.2 mills for the next 10 years to help cover the museum's operating costs. In the meanwhile, the museum's fundraisers are working to build a sustainable endowment for the DIA.

But, the DIA released a statement Monday that threw into doubt the future of the millage and the institution itself:

"... Recent moves in Oakland and Macomb counties to invalidate the tri-county millage if art is sold virtually ensure that any forced sale of art would precipitate the rapid demise of the DIA. Removing $23 million in annual operating funds – nearly 75% of the museum’s operating budget – and violating the trust of donors and supporters would cripple the museum, putting an additional financial burden on our already struggling city. The DIA has long been doing business without City of Detroit operating support; any move that compromises its financial stability will endanger the museum and further challenge the City’s future."

• Kristina Rinaldi: Kevyn Orr reported there are no plans to sell the art. He is actually bringing in Christies to try and think of ways to generate revenue.
  
• Lynn Vander Meer: It's wrong. That art belongs to the people of Detroit.