DIA COO talks to 7 Action News about museum millage

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (WXYZ) - Detroit Institute of Arts’ Chief Operating Officer Annmarie Erickson joins Chuck Stokes and Dave LewAllen to discuss the DIA millage on the primary election ballot.

Erickson is vying for support of the DIA millage. She says that two-thirds of the institute’s operating budget was filled through fundraising efforts—and soon they began to realize that strategy wouldn’t be able to sustain the institution long term. That’s when they decided to go to voters for help.

Opponents of the millage believe the DIA should spend the endowment they have in place. Erickson counters that no responsible non-profit would spend the bulk of their endowment because she believes it would be the fastest way to close the museum.

WATCH THE INTERVIEW IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE.