The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University
When the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is completed, it will feature more than 70 percent gallery space and room for large art works to be displayed. The primary focus of the museum will be contemporary art.
The iconic Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum now taking shape on the MSU campus is destined to be a catalyst for cultural economic development in our region. Designed by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the transformative facility is anticipated to bring international attention to the art museum, MSU, and the State of Michigan.
Breaking ground for the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, March 16, 2010
In 2007, when Eli and Edythe Broad donated the largest cash gift in MSU's history, Mr. Broad talked about the significance of arts and culture in his life. "A great university needs a great museum, since the arts stimulate learning and creativity throughout the entire campus. Speaking from personal experience, the arts have played a transformative role in my life, even though they were not the center of my studies at MSU," he said.
Numerous other donors have also contributed to the project. "These donations are evidence of the community's embrace of the museum," said former Kresge Art Museum director Susan J. Bandes. "The support from our donors shows that they understand the importance of enhancing mid-Michigan's cultural profile. Signature buildings like the Broad Museum can contribute significantly to economic and cultural tourism."
Karin A. Wurst, Dean of MSU's College of Arts and Letters, cites the critical thinking and analytical skills fostered by the arts. "The arts help prepare students to thrive in an economy that is increasingly based on the generation of creative content and the visually ompelling presentation of that content," she said. "The particular strength of a university art museum is the firm foundation of research and scholarship on which it is built. The most exciting scholarship goes beyond enhancing our knowledge of objects and collections to foster visitors' ability to make connections between the familiar and the unfamiliar."
The more than 18,000 square feet of gallery space will include areas for special exhibitions, modern and contemporary art, new media, photography and works on paper.
Michael Rush, who was named the museum's founding director in December 2010, is preparing for the spring 2012 opening by hiring staff, conceptualizing programs, and generating support for the museum, both locally and nationally. Rush comes to MSU from Brandeis, located near Boston, where he oversaw a significant collection of modern and contemporary art.
The museum is located on Grand River Avenue near the Collingwood entrance to campus. The building will feature permanent collections, special exhibitions, modern and contemporary new media, photography, works on paper, and an education wing.
More information is available at http://broadmuseum.msu.edu.
