Inside A Field Trip To The DIA

DETROIT, MI — This month, 80 fifth-grade students from Lighthouse Elementary School in New Baltimore, visited the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) to participate in a charismatic and engaging conversation with author and illustrator Peter Reynolds during a free field trip to the museum.

“The DIA is a local asset that provides our students with access to authentic artwork and artifacts from around the world, creating experiences students won’t forget,” said Libby Fortune, art educator at Lighthouse Elementary. “The DIA’s volunteers and staff are very cognizant of helping teachers create positive learning experiences for students by providing a supportive and welcoming learning environment to share their interpretations of artwork without the fear of being wrong.”

In addition to Lighthouse Elementary, over 650 local students from Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties joined Reynolds in the Detroit Film Theatre for a presentation about accessing their inner creativity that encouraged all students to “create bravely.” Reynolds read excerpts from his book “The Dot” and talked to students about how each story in his collection of books centers around a theme connected to building social-emotional skills that help students cope with everyday challenges. At the end of his presentation, Reynolds took part in a brief Q&A session with students in the audience.

“The Peter Reynolds program is just one of the many unique and memorable experiences we offer to metro Detroit students visiting the DIA on a free field trip,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “The DIA works hard to provide every child who visits the museum with unique and engaging programming allowing them to experience art and history in ways they can’t while in the classroom.”

After the field trip, the students at Lighthouse Elementary discussed what they enjoyed most about the Peter Reynolds program and their visit to the DIA. Students also drafted thank you notes and decided to recommend Reynolds’ book “Say Something” to other students during the school’s morning announcements.

The DIA provides free bus transportation and admission for students from Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties as part of the tri-county millage passed in 2012. Last school year, 14,977 Macomb County students enjoyed free visits to the DIA.

General museum admission is free every day for residents of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne Counties. To schedule a group tour or field trip, contact the DIA at 313-833-7981.