DaimlerChrysler received the Lifetime Service Award from the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) on Nov. 13. Accepting the award on behalf of the company was Tom Sidlik, DaimlerChrysler executive vice president of procurement and supply. The award, in its seventh year, is presented annually to individuals, corporations and foundations that have demonstrated exemplary and long-term commitment to the DIA. "We are proud to recognize our honorees by awarding them the DIA’s Lifetime Service Award,” said Graham W. J. Beal, DIA director. “Their unwavering commitment and dedication to the museum have helped us to serve the community by presenting major exhibitions and educational programs, along with our world-class collection. We truly appreciate their contributions.” DaimlerChrysler and the DaimlerChrysler Corporation (DCC) Fund say they have been consistent supporters of art and cultural activities in the metropolitan Detroit area. In addition to its latest exhibition sponsorship, “On the Edge,” which is part of DaimlerChrysler’s corporate collection, the company also sponsored the DIA exhibitions “Splendors of Ancient Egypt,” “Angels from the Vatican,” “Degas and the Dance” and “Van Gogh: Face to Face.” The Van Gogh exhibition was one of the most successful ever at the DIA and had an economic impact in the Detroit area of nearly $100 million. Also, the exhibition helped increase attendance at the DIA: nearly one out of every 10 people who came to see Van Gogh was a first-time visitor to the DIA. "All of us at DaimlerChrysler are dedicated to building social and economic conditions that help people and communities prosper," said Sidlik. "The purpose of our Good Neighbor corporate citizenship is to improve the community and business environments in which Chrysler Group conducts its business." In addition to the DIA, the DCC Fund has demonstrated its support of arts and culture by supporting events and activities at the Detroit Opera House, the Charles Wright Museum of African-American History and the new Max M. Fisher Music Center at the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO). aimlerChrysler was the first corporate donor to the DSO campaign in 1996, which led to the construction of the Max M. Fisher Music Center. Chrysler Group has invested more than $6 billion in manufacturing facilities and new technology in the city of Detroit over the last 10 years -- more, Chrysler says, than any other company in the automotive industry.