News

Professional News and Updates.

Celebrating Black History Month: Carl Craig on Afrofuturism and Detroit Techno

March 4, 2024 News

In honor of Black History Month, the Michigan State University (MSU) Museum and WKAR Public Media presented an extraordinary event, “From Detroit to the Cosmos: Carl Craig on Techno and Afrofuturism.” This exclusive gathering featured Detroit Techno legend Carl Craig in conversation with Dr. Julian Chambliss and took place on February 21 at the Communication Arts & Sciences Building at Michigan State University. The event began with a reception from 6:00 to 7:00 pm, offering guests a rare chance toRead More

The REDress Project: Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

March 1, 2024 News

March is here, and with it comes a poignant reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. In honor of Women’s History Month, the MSU Museum, in collaboration with the Native American Institute and other campus partners, is proud to announce the arrival of The REDress Project, a powerful outdoor art installation created by Métis artist Jaime Black-Morsette. The REDress Project is a moving display featuring approximately 60 red dresses collected through communityRead More

Preserving Grief and Solidarity: MSU Museum Marks One Year After Tragedy

February 17, 2024 News

On Tuesday, February 13, we commemorated the one-year anniversary of the horrific violence that took place on the campus of Michigan State University. Given the MSU Museum’s role over the past year in preserving, documenting, and stewarding the collection of materials left at the various campus memorials following the tragedy, we received numerous requests from media to share our efforts to process the collection. First, some background. In the wake of the tragic events of February 13, 2023, the MSURead More

MSU Trustees Approve $28M Transformative Renovation for MSU Museum

December 15, 2023 News

On Friday, December 15, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees authorized $28M towards infrastructure improvements for the MSU Museum. An integral part of research, teaching, and engagement at the university, the MSU Museum will embark on an ambitious 18-month renovation project starting July 2024. This announcement of university support comes shortly after the Museum received a generous multimillion-dollar gift from the Forest Akers Trust to support a new Immersive Lab for object-based learning and an Exhibit Lab for experientialRead More

Redefining Purpose: How Academic Museums are Transforming for the 21st Century

December 14, 2023 News

I was recently asked to participate in an “Ask the Expert” article for MSU Today, responding to the question, “Why are academic museums across the country rethinking their role in the 21st century?” These articles “provide information and insights from MSU scientists, researchers and scholars about national and global issues, complex research and general-interest subjects based on their areas of academic expertise and study.” I was presented with four questions. My responses to these questions are as follows: Why doRead More

A Partnership to Empower and Celebrate African American Artisans

November 30, 2023 News

The MSU Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate, is one of four organizations selected to take part in a project through the Smithsonian’s Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage to expand the visibility of underrepresented local elder African American artisans. The project—Cultural Sustainability and Legacy Planning for Craft Artists—was conceived to assist makers in safeguarding their stories while building relationships among artists, between elders and youth, and with local cultural institutions. The three-phased craft legacy planning project kicked off with a three-dayRead More

An Exclusive Conversation with Russ White of ‘MSU Today’

November 29, 2023 News

Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege of speaking with Russ White from ‘MSU Today with Russ White‘ about the latest developments at the MSU Museum. Our conversation delved into how the museum is becoming a vital ‘third space’ for students, acting as a catalyst for interdisciplinary teaching, learning, and research, and serving as a creative collaboratory for the campus.

MSU Museum Embarks on Innovative Project with $2 Million Boost from Forest Akers Trust

November 13, 2023 News

The MSU Museum is thrilled to announce a transformative gift of $2 million from the Forest Akers Trust, a major step forward in reimagining how the Museum engages with its communities and educates future generations. The generous investment will be used to construct and equip two groundbreaking spaces within the Museum. This includes an Immersive Lab for object-based learning and an Exhibit Lab for experiential learning. These spaces are set to transform the way students and visitors interact with theRead More

MSU Museum’s New Series Propels Student Ideas into the Spotlight

November 11, 2023 News

Earlier this fall, the MSU Museum announced the launch of Ignite Talks MSU, a one-of-a-kind public program designed to captivate and inspire attendees through a series of dynamic and fast-paced presentations. The inaugural event took place on November 9, 2023, at the RCAH (Residential College in the Arts and Humanities) Theater, located in Snyder-Phillips Residence Hall. The MSU Museum plans to host Ignite Talks MSU twice each academic year; once during the fall semester and once during the spring semester.Read More

Navigating Partisan Tensions in Museums

November 1, 2023 News

The inaugural Future of Museums Summit, presented by the American Alliance of Museums, is taking place November 1 and 2 virtually. The conference will “explore four themes from the current edition of TrendsWatch: the evolution of digital practice, workplace trends, the growing partisan divide, and recent developments in repatriation, restitution, and reparations.” I have the pleasure and honor of leading one of the discussions, entitled “Navigating Partisan Tensions in Museums.” Participants in this session will delve into the phenomena of how theRead More