Detroit museums seek millage amid funding woes
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The campaign announcement event at the Wright museum. Photo: Courtesy of "Yes to Our Story"
Two Detroit museum institutions are seeking new funding through a millage to appear on the Nov. 3 ballot.
Why it matters: The Wright Museum of African American History and Detroit Historical Society are major anchors of the city's cultural district.
- Experts consider museums a central vehicle for helping humans understand their place in the world, gain perspective and learn from the past.
State of play: The museums have both been underfunded for years and face dwindling reserves.
- They argue they need a stable revenue source or may risk closure.
Driving the news: The museums announced a campaign called "Yes to Our Story" Tuesday to encourage Wayne and Oakland County residents to approve the ballot measure. Macomb is not included.
Backstory: The Wright museum in Midtown is one of the country's first dedicated to the legacy, history and culture of African Americans.
- The historical society operates the Detroit Historical Museum in Midtown and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum on Belle Isle.
- It also preserves regional history, in partnership with the Wright.
By the numbers: The 10-year property tax proposal is for 0.2 mills, amounting to about $30 a year for a home with an average value of $300,000. The museums expect $28.6 million in revenue from the millage's first year.
- Wayne and Oakland county residents would get free admission. Each museum's adult admission rate is $15.
- It would also fund new curriculum and local history training for teachers, protect historical artifacts and provide free student and senior tour transportation.
Context: The Detroit Institute of Arts is funded through a 0.2-mill property tax for Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties that was renewed in 2020. County residents get free admission.
Zoom out: Metro Detroit residents' appetite for increasing property taxes varies widely.
- This month, Wayne County voters supported a transit millage with 67% in favor.
- And five Oakland County localities turned down police, fire and emergency services millages.