February 16, 2017 (Detroit)—The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) announced the communities participating in the 2017 edition of Inside|Out, which brings high-quality reproductions of masterpieces from the DIA’s collection to outdoor venues throughout metro Detroit. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation will sponsor the program, which embarks on its eighth year.

Inside|Out is a key component of the DIA’s community engagement efforts. Over the past seven years, the museum has partnered with more than 100 communities and engaged tens of thousands of residents with art in places where they live, work and play. This year, the museum will expand the number of installation sites from approximately 80 to as many as 120 per three-month season, which is more than ever before.

“Art has the powerful ability to unify, and Inside|Out allows us to bring people together outside of the museum walls,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “We see ourselves as more than a museum; we use art to encourage connections and improve understanding among our diverse communities.” 

New this year, the DIA is collaborating with the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History to include 10 reproductions of objects from their permanent collection. This is the first time DIA has incorporated reproductions of works from another institution in Inside|Out displays.



The reproductions will be in 11 communities from April to July, and then in 10 other venues from August to October. Each community will have from seven to 12 images clustered within walking or bike-riding distance. Exact locations are still being determined and, once finalized, will be featured on an interactive map on the DIA’s website. dia.org/insideout.

2017 Communities

Spring

• Brighton
• Clawson
• Farmington
• Franklin
• Fraser
• Detroit’s Lafayette Park
• Mount Clemens
• Novi
• Plymouth
• Taylor
• Wayne

Summer

• Allen Park
• Auburn Hills
• Clarkston
• Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
• Detroit Riverwalk
• Highland Township
• Hines Park
• St. Clair Shores
• Sterling Heights
• Troy

Four venues—Detroit’s Lafayette Park, Allen Park, the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge and Highland Township—are participating for the first time. The Detroit International Wildlife Refuge—the first of its kind in North America—consists of nearly 6,000 acres of habitat along the lower Detroit River and western shoreline of Lake Erie. The DIA will install Inside|Out in Gibraltar, Grosse Ile and Trenton refuge sites, including at a new visitor center set to open this summer.

Another 2017 highlight is a return exhibit at Hines Park that will be installed along a six-mile stretch of Hines Drive, which becomes a motor-vehicle-free area on Saturdays during warmer months.

The DIA encourages each community to plan activities centered on its Inside|Out works; events will be planned closer to installation dates. Previous activities have included bike and walking tours, talks at libraries and community centers, festivals and more.

Facebook users can follow Inside|Out updates and share their Inside|Out experiences on the Inside|Out Facebook page. People can also follow updates on Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat (@DIADetroit) using the hashtags #DIAInsideOut and #InsideOutUSA.