The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University (MSU Broad Art Museum), together with Gala Co-Chairs and Host Committee, celebrates the museum’s 10th anniversary with (B)road to Ten, a premier fundraising event benefitting the new Open Storage Center — a project designed to bring major parts of the MSU Broad Art Museum collection out of offsite, out-of-view storage and into the museum for public enjoyment. The event will take place at 7:30 p.m., Sept. 17 throughout the museum.
“(B)road to Ten represents a convergence of opportunity that has people excited,” says Sandra Brown, assistant director of development for the MSU Broad Art Museum. “As hinted by the name, this event is a celebration of the road the museum continues along. It’s about looking back to honor and acknowledge the past while looking to the future with optimism and momentum.”
Supported by MSU Federal Credit Union, Alan and Rebecca Ross and Dr. Teresa K. Woodruff and Dr. Thomas V. O’Halloran, every dollar raised by the event will directly support the Open Storage Center project.
Open storage is a concept that provides a behind-the-scenes look at “stored” items not typically on view to the public. This model allows for a less directed viewing experience and instead enables visitors to make their own discoveries and encourages them to bring their own unique perspectives to their visit.
“The MSU Broad Art Museum’s collection contains over 10,000 works ranging from ancient art to modern and contemporary pieces, spanning the globe and the range of art history,” said MSU Broad Art Museum Interim Director Steven L. Bridges. “At any given time, only a portion of the collection is displayed due to space limitations and other mitigating factors. The Open Storage Center provides a creative and engaging solution to address some of these constraints and to provide greater access to the collection and the arts more broadly.”
By converting 4,000 square feet of existing administrative space on the museum’s lower level into an Open Storage Center, community access to the MSU Broad Art Museum’s ever-growing collection will be enhanced, as will the opportunities for the university and broader communities to be involved in conversations that help guide the selection of works for the space. Construction is slated to begin summer/fall 2023.
“The impacts of this project are exponential,” Brown said. “University students and faculty will have more regular access to objects for research; K-12 students will have the collection available during a time when there aren’t many dedicated art classes left in area schools; and the general visitor can stop by any time to reconnect with an old favorite from the Kresge Art Museum days — it’s a win all around.”
(B)road to Ten will include a tastefully designed strolling dinner, bar with signature drinks, spectacular light displays, live entertainment, incredible art, and more. Tickets are $150/person and are available for purchase. Visit broadmuseum.msu.edu/broadtoten for more information and to RSVP.