Representatives of the Detroit Institute of Arts on Oct. 23 briefed the Macomb County Board of Commissioners on the museum’s service agreement with the county, highlighting free general admission for county residents, a long‑running field‑trip program and community mural initiatives.

Ian Repnicki, public affairs officer for the Detroit Institute of Arts, told commissioners “residents in Macomb County can walk in the door for free” under the service agreement, and outlined educational and community programs the DIA provides to the county.

Why it matters: the DIA’s programs provide no‑cost cultural, educational and transportation access to students, seniors and community groups in Macomb County, and the museum reported usage statistics that illustrate county reach and school engagement.

Key points from the presentation and discussion:

- Free general admission and participation: Ian Repnicki said the DIA offers unlimited free general admission for Macomb County residents on days the museum is open. He reported that, since the onset of the county–museum service agreements in 2013, the DIA has welcomed more than 500,000 Macomb County residents; through September 2025, the museum recorded more than 21,000 Macomb County visits in the year-to-date.

- School and student access: Repnicki said the DIA has served roughly 128,000 Macomb students since the service agreement began and carries an annual commitment to bring at least 8,000 students to the museum each year; the DIA had welcomed about 6,800 students in the first half of 2025 and said it will not turn student groups away when feasible. The DIA also provides free bus transportation for school field trips and some senior group visits.

- Community partnership programs: Salvador (DIA representative) and Repnicki described the Inside Out program (outdoor reproductions of DIA artworks) and the Partners in Public Art Mural program. Repnicki said the DIA has completed 14 mural projects across Macomb County since the program launched and aims to produce two murals in Macomb each year; commissioners were notified of a Nov. 12 celebration for a recently completed mural in Fraser.

- Exhibitions and outreach: Salvador highlighted current and recent exhibitions, including a Contemporary Anishinaabe Art show featuring about 90 works by 60 artists, the Ofrendas community exhibition, and a reimagined African American art installation that opened recently. He also noted upcoming major exhibitions, including a Georgia O’Keeffe show and a planned 2027 Caravaggio presentation. Salvador described the museum’s traveling exhibitions to Rome and Seoul as part of gallery renewal plans.

- Uptake and programs for older adults: Repnicki described senior group programming, including guided and self‑guided visits and free transportation for senior groups (55 and older).

Board response and next steps: Commissioners thanked DIA staff and the county Arts Authority chair, Phil Dukris, for the work; Commissioner Howard suggested additional Inside Out pieces for community spaces and mentioned school and community benefits. Commissioner Zinner and others praised recent mural celebrations. The board voted 13-0 to receive and file the DIA presentation.

Ending: The DIA encouraged commissioners to share the museum’s free services with constituents and to get in touch with museum staff for partnership questions; the board recorded the presentation as received and filed.