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Dayton’s Not Dead: Dayton Art Institute

Art piece at Dayton Art Institute

Art Piece at Dayton Art Institute | Photo by Kaylee Raines | The Wright State Guardian


Founded in 1919, The Dayton Art Institute (DAI) exists as one of the most prominent fine art museums in Ohio. Boasting more than 27,000 pieces, this museum is a local delight that Wright State University (WSU) students can visit. 

DAI exhibits and events

According to the institute’s website, the museum spans more than 5,000 years of art history. Visitors can enjoy art from all over the world and observe the unique styles of the various artists. 

The museum is organized by geographical region and contains everything from pop modern artist Andy Warhol to African fertility dolls. Visitors can immerse themselves in the world’s rich and diverse history.

In addition to exploring the museum, WSU students are invited to join the numerous events hosted by the museum each year. The museum’s biggest fundraising event, Oktoberfest, is from Sept. 24-26. 

Furthermore, the museum provides discounted tickets to college students. By showing a student ID, students can visit the museum for only $5. 

On top of the discounts, DAI invites local schools to visit for field trips, scavenger hunts and other activities. Visitors will often see students walking around looking for specific art pieces and learning more about art. 

Art piece at Dayton Art Institute
Art Piece at Dayton Art Institute | Photo by Kaylee Raines | The Wright State Guardian

Students weigh in

WSU graduate student Alex Dang visited the museum during his freshman year to complete an art history assignment. He had to locate various pieces of art and write a summary of his visit. 

“I think that visiting the museum for a class was really fun. I got to explore and learn more about art in a way that was unique. I would definitely recommend this experience to others,” Dang said. 

WSU nursing student Christina Brown recently moved to Dayton from Mississippi. Although she has not had the chance to visit the museum yet, she is eager to take advantage of the discount. 

“I love going to museums and I think it is terrific that they offer a discount to college students! I grew up in Korea and would love to see what pieces of Korean art they have,” Brown said. 

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) student Abigail Bond visited the Dayton Art Institute with her father and has many fond memories from her visits.

“The Dayton Art Institute is one of the reasons I have become so passionate about art. My parents homeschooled me, but they always made sure to expose us to as much of the world as they could. Various field trips throughout the years were memorable, but my favorites were at the Dayton Art Museum. My dad and I have gone a few times since I have been an adult and we bond over our passion for art and art history,” Bond said. 

Students can visit the museum’s website to view all of the upcoming events and special exhibits available. Click here >>


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