Quote Originally Posted by Gistok View Post
The truly great stuff is pretty much locked up in world museums long ago, and not often available...
Which is why, Gistok, Detroit can have its Monet and money too. The City's art assets offer a financial return profile that's virtually unattainable by conventional means today, so investing in DIA artworks as a store of value -- professionally secured and conserved by DIA staff in return for their exhibition to Detroit's residents and visitors -- could be an irresistible opportunity for investors seeking diversification.

Even if Detroit had to choose between its Monet and its money, though, it seems a bit cold for the Founders Society to send a cop into a shooting situation with no backup just to keep that Monet on the wall. Bing has got billions of dollars he can use to expand staffing margins in public safety and health. If he sells artworks outright, one or two masterpieces a year can cover the structural deficit until times are better -- and Detroit's DIA has 60,000+ artworks. He doesn't have to sell artworks outright, though, to start using Bing's billions to make Detroit safer and healthier.