Nov. 13, 2020 (DETROIT)—Not even a global pandemic will stop dedicated Detroit Institute of Arts’ (DIA) donors from supporting its annual Gala, even if it looks different than years’ past. The museum’s largest fundraising event, traditionally held the second Saturday of November, has been re-imagined as a virtual campaign with the theme “Extraordinary Times, Extraordinary Friends,” and hundreds of donors have made gifts to show their support.

Donations from this year’s “non-Gala” will support the museum’s Sustainability Fund, which was launched in the spring to support operations, exhibitions, programming, community outreach and staff, and to mitigate budget shortfalls caused by reduced attendance for the several months the museum was closed.

Past Gala attendees, board members and donors have been invited to be an “Extraordinary Friend” of the DIA by joining the campaign. Thanks to the Sustainability Fund, along with budget cuts and salary decreases for senior executives, the museum has avoided layoffs and furloughs to date.

"Maintaining the important work of the museum, especially our educational programs, senior programs and community partnership programs, has been a priority for us during these difficult times,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA Director. “This year’s Gala campaign also gives our donors an opportunity to directly impact the staff members who devote their time, skills and talents to making the DIA an important resource for our community and beyond.”

Major sponsors for this year’s Gala:

• The Eisenberg Family
• Edsel and Cynthia Ford
• Judith Frankel
• TCF Bank
• Honigman LLP
• The Richard and Jane Manoogian Foundation
• Martie & Bob Sachs

To make a contribution to the Sustainability Fund (100% tax deductible), and to find out more information, visit www.dia.org/Gala2020.