The Spark

the Voice of
The Communist League of Revolutionary Workers–Internationalist

“The emancipation of the working class will only be achieved by the working class itself.”
— Karl Marx

Detroit Public Schools Paid an Art Dealer While Cutting Art Classes

Mar 5, 2007

The Detroit Public Schools spent over 1.6 million dollars for professional art to decorate school buildings between 2002 and last year–at a time when they’ve been closing schools and cutting school programs across the district.

All the art was bought from one Detroit gallery, which took commissions of 20 to 50%.

Yes, students need art in their lives and in their schools. They should have the art classes that the district has cut, as well as the art classrooms and supplies necessary for those programs. And THEY should be creating the art that decorates their schools.

But then, friends of the administrators wouldn’t be getting their kickbacks!