The Flint Institute of Arts (FIA) is a hub for artistic expression and creativity in Flint’s Cultural Center. Home to a permanent collection of more than 8,000 objects displayed in galleries that showcase the art of cultures worldwide and major art movements as well as temporary galleries that host travelling exhibitions, FIA is a regional attraction. In 2002, the FIA’s collection was designated a National Treasure by the President’s Committee on the Arts.
“The Flint Institute of Arts is truly a ‘must-see’ for visitors to Flint and Genesee County,” said Cheryl DeFrain, Director of the Flint & Genesee Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The FIA is a wonderful place to experience art, learn about art and create art.”
Unique to the FIA are the Hurand Sculpture Courtyard, presenting large sculptures within an ever-changing “sky box,” the Bray Renaissance Gallery, featuring 17th Century French tapestries and period furnishings, and the Fleckenstein Video Gallery, a cutting-edge media art space designed specifically for video art. FIA is also one of the few art museums in the nation that operates an Art Sales and Rental Gallery.
Not merely a home for works of art, the FIA also hosts the Friends of Modern Art Film Series, The Pallete Happy Hour on Thursday evenings featuring live performances and the Art a la Carte weekly luncheon/lecture program, in addition to other museum programs and community events.
In addition to the Film Series, the Friends of Modern Art mount the Flint Art Fair each June, bringing in hundreds of artists from around the country, and some international artists, for two days of art, music and food. For 47 years the Flint Art has been the official start to summer for many.
The Flint Institute of Arts is also a major sponsor of the College Town Initiative, giving access to art, music and dance classes through the FIA and the Flint Institute of Music, to area college students.
For more information about the Flint Institute of Arts, visit www.flintarts.org.