Celebrate MLK Day At The Detroit Institute Of Arts

Celebrate the life and accomplishments of pastor, activist and civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the Detroit Institute of Arts’ annual MLK Day celebration from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 21. The DIA will host activities for families including special MLK Day Family Fun! Gallery Adventures and Games, an MLK Day Drop-In Art Making Workshop and a film that follows Dr. King’s life from 1955 to 1968.

“Every year, we look forward to hosting special programming to celebrate Dr. King’s life, legacy and contributions to society,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “Visiting the DIA on MLK Day gives families a one-of-a-kind look at African-American culture and history that can’t be found in books, on TV or on the Internet.”

During the celebration, visitors will participate in special MLK Day-themed gallery games for children and the entire family in Prentis Court near Artie the Donkey. The free games are kid-tested and approved, and feature takeaway games that can be played in the museum and enjoyed by the whole family.

Families will have the chance to make pamphlet stitch notebooks during the MLK Day Drop-In Art Making Workshop. The pamphlet stitch notebooks will be donated to local schools. The workshop will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Art Making Studio.

“The DIA is a leader in providing historical and cultural education and we strive to offer programming that creates rich experiences that help provide a well-rounded education for all students,” Salort-Pons said. “Our MLK Day activities are a great way to bring lessons on African-American culture to life for local families.”

MLK Day Family Fun! Gallery Adventures will feature pop-up tours and engagement activities for children and families. Additional games and activities will take place in the African American galleries from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

A special showing of the Oscar-nominated film “King: A Filmed Record… Montgomery to Memphis” will play at 1 p.m. at the Detroit Film Theatre.

General museum admission is free for residents of Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. The museum, which is normally closed on Monday, will be open on MLK Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Image via Detroit Institute of Arts