This month, Michigan State University’s Department of Art, Art History and Design will take over the operation of (SCENE) Metrospace, an alternative art and performance space located in downtown East Lansing.
The initial agreement with the City of East Lansing is five years, with the option of extension. AAHD will be responsible for all operating costs but the city will continue to provide utilities and will forgo rental revenue in the city-owned space.
“This partnership will help ensure that (SCENE) Metrospace continues to be an important part of the community’s vibrant arts and cultural scene, while also helping the city tackle pressing budget challenges in a responsible way,” said East Lansing Parks, Recreation and Arts Director Tim McCaffrey.
AAHD will host regular art exhibitions within the space and plans to keep the gallery open to the public for an average of 20 hours per week. The department will host up to eight exhibitions a year, with exhibitions featuring the work of undergraduate and graduate students, visiting artists, AAHD alumni, regional and national artists, as well as traveling exhibitions from other universities.
In addition to art exhibitions, AAHD plans to solicit calls to host performances in the space, including music, theater, dance, poetry slams and more.
“This new opportunity will build on the successes of past collaborations of the Department of Art, Art History and Design and (SCENE) Metrospace,” said Chris Corneal, chairperson of the Department of Art, Art History and Design. “We look forward to engaging the community with exciting new visual arts programming year round.”
This month, AAHD will begin preparing the art gallery for future exhibitions, and there will be an opening reception on Sept. 11. Preparations include installing track lighting, painting the space, installing signs and more. The first exhibition in the space will be a juried show featuring contemporary artwork by regional artists.