Farmington, Farmington Hills Chosen for DIA Inside|Out Arts Program

A total of 14 works of art will be on display this spring, throughout Farmington and Farmington Hills, as part of Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) Inside|Out.

The program brings high-quality reproductions of masterpieces from the DIA’s collection to the streets and parks of metro Detroit. Farmington area residents may remember a piece installed in in the fall of 2010, which was part of the same initiative, director Annette Knowles said. 

"It was very popular," she said, adding when she heard about the 2012 program, "we jumped on it." 

Each city will host seven pieces of various sizes, artists, styles and eras, some free-standing and others mounted on buildings.

"It will be fun to find them," Coumoundouros said. "The DIA will be giving us maps to help people locate each piece." Farmington Hills locations will include , the , , the , and the . 

In Farmington, Knowles said, pieces will be located mostly along Grand River. "There are a couple that will be tucked away in other areas," she said, adding the largest piece will be 6 1/2 feet by 8 feet.

"It's not just a passive art project we're discussing," Knowles said. "We're discussing activities that will keep people a little more engaged and looking at guided tours. It's very exciting, a one-of-a-kind opportunity." 

Coumoundouros said activities are planned in Farmington Hills as well. The project coincides with other arts events, including Festival of the Arts, held April 19-21 with the theme "Vote for the Arts", and Art on the Grand, held June 2 and 3 in downtown Farmington. Knowles said tapping into audiences at existing events is a big part of why the cities were chosen. 

One of the benefits the DIA predicts for both cities, Coumoundouros said, is that people from other communities will come to visit the local artwork. 

Installations will be completed around the end of March. The works will remain up until sometime in June. Mount Clemens, Eastpointe/Roseville, Southfield, Clarkston, Bloomfield Township, Wyandotte, Wayne, Taylor and the Grosse Pointes are also getting artwork. 

The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has provided $250,000 to sponsor Inside|Out for 2012 and 2013. Once the locations are finalized, they will be featured on an interactive map on the DIA’s website, dia.org.

The DIA will offer free museum admission to a Family Sunday for residents of participating communities, so they can experience “their” works of art in person. Coumoundouros said the date will be announced later. 

There's even an Inside|Out Facebook page where people can interact and share their experiences and photos.