News -- Devon Akmon

June 13, 2026

Adaptability in Action: Our AAMG 2026 Presentation

The CoLab Studio team recently presented “Exhibition as Creative Process: Innovation for Complex Times” at the Association of Academic Museums and Galleries annual conference on the campus of the University of Iowa in Iowa City....

June 9, 2026

Stewardship in Motion: My Conversation with Crozier Fine Arts

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Crozier Fine Arts for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of museums, the unique challenges of university collections, and the remarkable two-year logistics project we undertook together...

June 7, 2026

New in Exhibition Journal: Collaborative Curation at MSU Museum

I’m pleased to share that my article, Exhibition as Process: CoLab Studio’s Adaptive Model for Rapid, Collaborative Curation, appears in the Spring 2026 issue of Exhibition, the peer-reviewed journal of exhibition theory and practice published...

February 28, 2026

Museums & Censorship: Dispatches from an Urgent Conversation

Last week, I had the privilege of joining a panel titled How Do Museums Resist Censorship?, co-presented by Zócalo Public Square, the Japanese American National Museum (JANM), and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) at...

February 1, 2026

Honoring the Life and Legacy of Ismael Ahmed

It has been heartening to read the many memorials shared online after the passing of Ismael Ahmed this weekend. He has had an outstanding and enduring impact on my life. I first came to know...

January 25, 2026

Media Spotlight Grows on How Museums Rebuild Trust in a Divided America

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of contributing an article to The Conversation titled How Museums Can Rebuild Trust in a Divided America. In that piece, I wrote about the deep polarization affecting...

January 25, 2026

MSU Museum Reopens With Bold and Timely Blurred Realities Exhibition

The MSU Museum reopened to the public on January 14, 2026 after 18 months of work and more than 28 million dollars in renovations. Despite a heavy snowstorm, more than 400 visitors joined us to...

September 2, 2025

Building the Future: A Year of Transformation at MSU Museum

At the MSU Museum, the 2024–2025 year was nothing short of transformative. While our physical building undergoes a major renovation, our spirit of innovation and connection has never been stronger. This year has proven that...

August 17, 2025

Honoring February 13: A Memorial for Reflection & Healing

This week marks an important milestone for the Michigan State University community. After nearly two years of thoughtful planning, discussion, and collaboration, the MSU Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the final design for the...

August 17, 2025

Guest Appearance on WDET’s The Metro: Museums and Political Pressure

I recently joined WDET’s The Metro to discuss the White House’s directive ordering a “comprehensive internal review” of eight Smithsonian museums. The administration has said it wants institutions to celebrate American exceptionalism instead of addressing...