We’re told that art needs to be more engaged with politics and yet our most sophisticated art critics seem to have no ear for politics, no ability to see their own victory. The situation in Detroit is a perfect example. Over the last several months we’ve heard repeated wails of outrage that Detroit’s art should become mixed up in the city’s bankruptcy. This latest example comes from the New Republic’s Jed Perl:

The hue and cry about the DIA, loud as it has been, is not loud enough. Detroit would be a much smaller place without its Bruegel—or its great Poussin or its great Matisse. If the future of the auto industry is a matter of national concern, then why isn’t the threat to the DIA regarded as a national scandal? For years our elected officials have been backing away from any serious engagement with the arts.

Michigan Governor Snyder is an elected official and as soon as a Federal Judge ruled Detroit’s bankruptcy could go through, thus putting DIA’s art in real jeopardy, Governor Snyder started floating the potential for a grand bargain. County officials—also elected—raised operating funds for DIA by taxing their residents. Both acts are “serious engagement with the arts.”

Detroit’s art should not be sold. But politics, as they say, isn’t beanbag. The process by which that city, state and region came to recognize the value of its art collection was not pretty nor was it dignified. But it did unequivocally make preserving DIA a paramount issue. That’s a victory for the arts and a victory for the people. Shouldn’t an art critic celebrate that?

Detroit Art Institute’s Masterworks Should Be Saved | New Republic.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the mediator has gotten a commitment from nine foundations to pay $330 million as part of a larger deal to protect DIA’s art and help cover the city’s $3.5bn pension shortfall:

U.S. Chief District Judge Gerald Rosen’s statement made clear that the pledges do not by themselves mean that pensions and DIA art are now beyond the reach of creditors. Rather, the commitments are intended and expected to play a part in what Rosen’s statement called “an overall balanced settlement of disputes in the bankruptcy.”

In other words, there is no deal until all the various claims in the broader bankruptcy case have been settled. And the foundations’ support is contingent upon all their money going to support the twin goals of helping fill the unfunded gap in Detroit’s municipal pension obligations and protecting the DIA art collection from possible sale to pay the city’s creditors.

$330 million pledged to save pensions, DIA artwork from Detroit bankruptcy (Detroit Free Press)

The Detroit Free Press reports that a deal to take DIA’s art off the table in Detroit’s bankruptcy is imminent and could be announced as early as today:

One source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said talks are at a delicate stage and there are “a number of moving parts,” including what role the state would play in any deal.

But there’s a 50/50 chance the “grand bargain” will be announced today, the source said, in part because of concerns about inaccurate speculation.

The foundations, which range from nationals such as Ford and Kellogg to local institutions such as Skillman and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, were preparing Sunday to make a joint statement that reflects their enthusiasm at being involved in efforts to help the city get back on its feet.

Darren Walker, CEO of the Ford Foundation in New York, has reportedly taken a lead role in structuring the deal and bringing other foundations into it.

Deal could come as early as today to protect DIA art, Detroit pensioners (Detroit Free Press)