Art is a precious thing to the people in a community, particularly to the people of Detroit. At the Detroit Institute of Arts, they house billions of dollars' worth in cherished art pieces. However, due to the cities financial standing, or lack thereof, the city's emergency manager Kevyn Orr is debating as to whether or not they should use DIA's art work as assets for the city to pay off their extraordinary debt. The actual estimate value of the art work is not entirely certain, though they assume that it is in the several billions, and potentially enough to cover the $15 billion of debt the city currently owes.

This would be a move that the people of the city and the DIA consider to "be a crime" to use these pieces of art as a means to pay off city debt. Philanthropist and DIA patron A. Alfred Taubman claims that he believes once Orr thoroughly considers the matters that he will realize the extremity of these idea and see that the art work is not just "an asset of Detroit, but rather an asset of the entire country."

The matter of liquidating the art at DIA would be extremely complicated process, and will likely face much adversity along the way. Particularly due to the fact that this method of paying off city debt has never been tested before, many are concerned that it may not have the outcome that is desired by the city officials if they are to follow through with it. what is unique about the DIA is the fact that nonprofit organizations merely controls the daily operations and fundraising of the civic museum but the city actually holds full ownership over both the property and the art work within.

At this time the DIA is consulting with their bankruptcy attorney to determine the best course of action. They are seeking to determine to do whatever they can to protect the collections of art and protect the DIA from any losses. DIA Executive Vice President Annemarie Erickson, along with the help of their attorney, are seeking to stand against the city and protect the art that belongs to the people, not the city itself. The DUIA views this collection as something worth protecting, and they feel that they have been entrusted by the city to make sure this happens.

In opposition, the spokesperson representing Orr, Bill Nowling, claims that the city views this collection of art as their greatest asset and sure ticket to clearing the way from bankruptcy. Nowling reiterates that the city has no intention to "sell" the art but rather to use it as the cities asset to help with debt. As the emergency responders of the city, Nowling claims that it is their responsibility to make sure that all areas of the city are evaluated in order to beat their financial crisis, and this means even the artwork that is beloved by the city and visitors alike.

Orr a the city emergency manager holds the power to satisfy Detroit's debt by selling city assets, however, they will need to go to court in order to receive approval by the judge to sell jewels of the city such as the art collection currently housed in the DIA. If the city is to file for bankruptcy they will be under Chapter 9, and according to the federal laws of bankruptcy, neither a creditor nor a judge can force the city to sell these assets. However, if the city itself is pushing to have the assets sold, that is entirely another ball game the DIA will have to face.