The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is kicking off the semester with its fall opening party on Friday, Sept. 18 from 6 to 10 p.m. One of MSU’s annual traditions, the party is an opportunity to come together — as campus and community — to celebrate the power of creativity.
The museum-wide celebration is free and open to all. You’ll enjoy live performances, lawn games and screen print your own tote bag, all while exploring the museum’s new exhibitions, including "We Are This Land: Meditations on the Great American Experiment."
“The power of art is its ability to connect us to past generations, their ideas, ideals, and concerns. 'We Art This Land' takes us on a voyage across thousands of years on this soil and hundreds of years of our nation. And, we have art and objects that reflect MSU’s own histories within that of our nation,” MSU Broad Art Museum Director Phillip Bahar said.
As the United States marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the exhibition celebrates the nation not as a fixed story, but an ongoing experiment reflecting the histories, ideals and contradictions that have shaped the nation. Taking its title from the words of poet Joy Harjo, "We Are This Land" foregrounds the connections between people, place and memory, through the lens of art and artists.
A major civic arts project, "128 Civics Questions" by artist Rayanne Tabet, is featured in the exhibition. Inspired by his naturalization process, Tabet created a series of works entitled "Becoming American;" in "128 Civics Questions," Tabet takes questions from the U.S. Naturalization Civics Test, placing them throughout the museum as well as venues across MSU’s campus.
The evening also celebrates the exhibition "Laas / Absan / Peldía: Caribbean Cinema Cultures," which explores the history, film, video, and new media experiments of Caribbean artists.
“Marked by our passion for our role as a civic organization, and the power of art to bring people together, our current exhibitions offer a variety of perspectives and ways to engage that we hope will speak to people of all walks of life,” said Steven L. Bridges, senior curator and director of curatorial affairs. “And in the spirit of civic participation during this momentous anniversary year for the US, we hope people will join us and contribute to the many conversations unfolding at the museum.”
The exhibition is complemented by dozens of programs throughout the semester, from music and poetry, to artist talks and performances with the Williamston Theatre, to culinary experiences. Learn more about upcoming programs at broadmuseum.msu.edu/events.
The MSU Broad Art Museum’s Fall Opening Party is free, but advanced registration is encouraged.
Exhibition schedule
- We Are This Land: Meditations on the Great American Experiment — Aug. 22, 2026–March 14, 2027
- Laas / Absan / Peldía: Caribbean Cinema Cultures — Aug. 22, 2026–Jan. 31, 2027
- Rayyane Tabet: 128 Civics Questions — Aug. 22, 2026–March 14, 2027
