This weekend, thousands are expected to attend the grand opening of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum on the Michigan State University campus.
“We believe that the most exciting thing happening in the art world is here in East Lansing today,” said Min Jung Kim, the museum’s deputy director.
A press preview will be held the morning of Nov. 9 followed by a V.I.P dinner that evening. The museum dedication ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Nov. 10. An Open House will follow on Nov. 11.
“This is an extraordinary opportunity to be a part of a historic moment in time where we are opening a major museum presence as part of Michigan State University,” Kim said. “But to be able to contribute and have a say in the content and the development of the museum and the direction it’s going in under the leadership of founding director Michael Rush and the extraordinary staff is really rare and quite remarkable.”
As deputy director, Kim oversees strategic planning and day-to-day operations.
“There have been blood, sweat and tears literally shed in order to make this building happen,” she said.
In June of 2007, Eli and Edythe Broad donated the initial funds for the museum construction. In 2008, London architect, Zaha Hadid, was selected winner of the design competition. The groundbreaking was held in 2010 followed by months of construction in preparation for the grand opening
“The museum is a result of so many amazing parts and people coming together. It would not have been possible without the extraordinary leadership of President Lou Anna K. Simon, without the generosity of Eli and Edythe Broad or without the brilliance of Zaha Hadid and her design,” Kim said.
“In many ways this is really just the beginning,” she said. “Many more events and programs are to come.”