An Inside Look At Field Trips To The DIA

DETROIT, MI -- Students from Walled Lake Northern High School recently took advantage of the opportunity to immerse themselves in culture and history at the Detroit Institute of Arts through a free field trip.

“The culture and history found at the DIA cannot be replicated by reading textbooks, watching TV or searching the web,” Kevin La Plante, an Advanced Placement English teacher at Walled Lake Northern High School. “Each field trip to the DIA inspires our students and forges connections between what they have learned in class and the shared experience of art.”

The DIA is a critical resource for schools in the tri-county area, helping to enhance curriculum and the classroom experience. More than 20,000 students from Oakland County attended free field trips to the DIA last year.

“The DIA is a leader in education, working closely with teachers to inspire the minds and imaginations of local students,” said Salvador Salort-Pons, DIA director. “The diverse history and culture at the DIA – from Egyptian mummies to Native American art – brings the past to life for students.”

As a part of the tri-county millage passed in 2012, the DIA offers free bus transportation and admission for students who live in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.

“The free admission and free bus transportation provided by the DIA ensures cost doesn’t prevent our students from having the one-of-a-kind experience they get through a field trip to the museum,” La Plante said. “I’m grateful to have such a valuable partner right in our backyard that opens up my students to learning outside of the classroom.”

To schedule a group tour or field trip, contact the DIA at 313-833-7981.