Daimler Financial Services has agreed to help underwrite an artists' exchange between Detroit and Berlin that will benefit the Museum of New Art in downtown Pontiac.

Jef Bourgeau, director of the MONA, said Tuesday the relationship with Daimler will allow MONA to carry out exchanges with art galleries in Berlin and other European cities. The amount of money Daimler spent on the first exhibition was crucial to the project's success and the company's continued commitment is very important, he said.

"It's kind of open-ended. They see it as just one of many opportunities to do something important in the cultural community," said Bourgeau, adding he believes that art is one of the keys to reviving the Detroit area's economy.

"This new partnership with Daimler Financial Services is a unique opportunity to bridge a gap between two cities where the company has a presence and the art scenes are so vibrant. We're excited about the possibilities of how we can further expand the changing cities concept," he said.

The partnership will foster a global dialogue between artists and promote art exchanges between the hip and urban cultures of Detroit and Berlin, said Bourgeau.

The exchange with Berlin artists and galleries also underscores that the two cities have a lot in common," he said. "They see us as poor but sexy."

It also gives local artists from around Detroit international exposure and perspectives. In addition, several Detroit artists have been invited to show their work at the Berlin Galerie Eva Bracke, starting in November.

Daimler Financial Services, which has headquarters for the Americas in Farmington Hills, is part of Daimler AG, one of the corporate world's most prominent art patrons.

Jack Ferry, Daimler Financial Services spokesman, said the company's commitment to the project is open-ended.

"We're looking at an ongoing relationship similar with Cranbrook," he said.

"When we heard about connecting the two cities through art, it was a perfect expansion of our current support and will enable our employees in both locations to gain a deeper understanding of what's happening in each city," said Klaus Entenmann, president and CEO of Daimler Financial Services Americas.

Founded in 1996, MONA, at 7 N. Saginaw St., is open from noon-6 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays. The current exhibition of works by Berlin artists can be seen until Saturday, Bourgeau said.

a small bevy of  Detroit artists

Contact Joseph Szczesny at (248) 745-4650 or joe.szczesny@oakpress.com.