In this post, we examine the location of art, history, military, science, theater, and other types of cultural institutions in the area. So far, we have identified about 220 cultural institutions located in Southeast Michigan, the majority of which are either related to art, history, or theater. In addition to displaying their locations, we have also included an overlay of the mean household income for the Metro-Detroit area (Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties). The income related overlay is to display what correlation, if any, there is to the location of cultural institutions and income.

For the “Art Assets” map the art museums, for profit and non-profit, are displayed on the map, as are art galleries in the region. The “Historical Museums and Institutions” shows where community historical museums are located, in addition to larger scale museums like Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. “The Private and Non-Profit Theaters” map also shows where community based institutions are along with larger theaters, like the Fox Theater and the Detroit Opera House. The “Science Museum” map mainly displays scientific based museums funded through universities, with a few exceptions, while the “Cultural Institutions” maps shows where assets such as auto museums and the Cranbrook gardens are located.

Based on our findings to date, theaters and historical organizations are the most widely distributed in the seven-county region and make up the majority of the cultural institutions in the area. Altogether, we have identified 64 theaters and 80 historical organizations in the region, which accounts for 65 percent of the overall number.

For these types of cultural institutions, it is not uncommon for local communities to house non-profit, and sometimes private, entities that display their historical and theatrical attributes. With these organizations being so widespread, it is difficult to link their locations to income distribution.

Many arts organizations, however, are located in areas where the mean income is above $60,001. The Danielle Peleg and Art Leaders galleries in West Bloomfield and the Paint Creek Art Center and Oakland University art galleries in Rochester Hills are such examples. While the mean income of census tracts in Detroit is typically between $20,001 and $40,000, there are still several art museums and cultural institutions located in the city, particularly in Midtown and downtown.

Military and science organizations were the least prevalent in the seven-county region.

Also, if interested in learning more about income distribution click here.