The stagnant economy has crippled countless nonprofit museums and arts organizations over the last few years. Big donors and foundations can't commit as much cash, and local governments can't justify supporting culture when roads, schools and pensions are on the line.
The Detroit Institute of Arts is joining a small group of museums experimenting with a new way to fundraise. They've asked local taxpayers to chip in. Voters in three Michigan counties passed a tax increase -- known as a millage.