DIA Announces New Director And CEO For Museum

DETROIT (WWJ) - The Detroit Institute of Arts Wednesday announced its new director and CEO, Salvador Salort-Pons, a renowned curator and scholar. He is promising to be accessible to the public.

"Wherever I can talk to the communities; schools, libraries, any place where I am called, any place where people want to learn about the DIA I want to be present and I want to tell them their support is so important,"

As for how much Salort-Pons will be paid, Board Chairman Gene Gargaro deliberately avoided a figure.

"It's below the median range of other Art Directors who are paid in comparable museums," said Gargaro.

Salort-Pons' hiring comes as Macomb and Oakland Art Authorities consider $49,000 in raises for three top executives including outgoing director Graham Beal. There was outrage in 2013 when $90,000 in bonuses was paid after taxpayers agreed to support the museum.

Salort-Pons says "I do understand and I hear it and I think this will not be a problem in the future."

When asked to clarify he says that he'll communicate the information - everything is going to be public -- that I know.

The salary will be officially announced when Salort-Pons takes over on October 15, he has worked with the DIA since 2008. He is also the Executive Director of Collection Stratages.

Art is not only good for the soul says Salort-Pons -- it also brings them together.