art museum

Why the art world is freaking out over a house in Detroit

Kate Wells — Tue, 14 May 2013 01:56:09 +0000

“Huh.”

That is a completely understandable reaction the first time people see the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit’s new exhibit. It’s called “Mobile Homestead.”

The "work of art" is a mobile house, a suburban-looking, one-story, white ranch house. It's the kind of house they've seen a million times before.

So why is the modern art world, the New York Times, and the Wall Street Journal breathlessly declaring this house one of the most significant, world-renowned pieces of 2013?

Why a free bus ride is making art teachers cry with joy

Kate Wells — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:05:18 +0000

For art teachers in Michigan, it may be hard to even remember what “good news” feels like.

Between budget cuts, pink slips and declining enrollment, more than 108,000 Michigan kids don’t have any art access in their schools. That’s according to a 2012 statewide survey.

But for some 20,000 students, that’s about to change. They’re getting…a free bus ride.

"The money is just not there."

Art world, meet East Lansing: could new museum change downtown?

Kate Wells — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 23:11:40 +0000

East Lansing is your classic college town: a laid-back mix of beer, bongs and bookstores.

But with the opening of a $45 million modern art museum, suddenly the international world is paying attention to "good 'ol Michigan State."

As Michigan Radio's Kate Wells reports, some locals like the attention more than others.

For something right across from a Taco Bell, the Broad art museum sure smells like money.

Should taxpayers "save" the Detroit Institute of Arts?

Kate Wells — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 21:09:25 +0000

The Detroit Institute of Arts is going broke.

Museum staff say to save the DIA, they need some $200 million dollars in property taxes from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties.

Voters will decide the fate of the museum at the polls this Tuesday. That’s why DIA supporters held a “Save the DIA” rally in Detroit’s New Center Park this week.

DIA displays more than 100 works by Picasso and Matisse in new exhibit

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Wed, 11 Jul 2012 19:17:51 +0000

The Detroit Institute of Arts opened a new exhibition today comprised of works by Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse.

"Picasso and Matisse: The DIA's Prints and Drawings" will run through January. Showcasing the institute's collection, the exhibit explores the artists' stylistic progression, with 110 prints and drawings across a broad range of media.

Racist artifacts on display at Ferris State's Jim Crow Museum

Jennifer Guerra — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 19:25:31 +0000

What was once a private collection of racist memorabilia has now been expanded to a full-blown museum on the campus of Ferris State University.

When sociology professor David Pilgrim came to Ferris State, he brought with him his collection of racist artifacts and donated them to the university. For years the items sat in a small classroom on campus, but are now on display in the new Jim Crow Museum of Racist Memorabilia.

Grand Rapids Art Museum scores 3-year partnership with NY museum

Lindsey Smith — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:50:38 +0000

This week the Grand Rapids Art Museum opens a new exhibit on loan from the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. The “Robert Rauschenberg: Synapsis Shuffle” exhibit is part of a new 3-year partnership between the two museums. It opens to the public on Friday.

Pamella DeVos spends a lot of time in New York as a fashion designer. She is a board trustee at the Whitney Museum and helped make the partnership a reality.

“We’re not a huge city but we certainly have such an amazing art museum,” Devos said. DeVos is a GRAM Honorary Life Trustee. She says she’s had a passion for the GRAM since she was 25 years old. DeVos says she’s brought the director of the Whitney Museum to Grand Rapids many times.

Massachusetts art museum sues Jack Kevorkian's estate

Jennifer Guerra — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 21:25:12 +0000

More than 20 paintings and other memorabilia by the late Jack Kevorkian are supposed to be auctioned off in New York next week.

MSU's Broad Art Museum names new art director

Jennifer Guerra — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 22:47:05 +0000

Michael Rush will be the founding director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University.

Rush is well known in the art world – he’s published numerous books and articles about late 20^th century art. He also directed the Rose Art Museum at Brandeis University and the Palm Beach Institute of Contemporary Art.