art museum

New art exhibit explores Michigan's design history

Stateside Staff — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:21:05 +0000

Close your eyes for a moment and think about America in 1962. What images come to mind?

Chances are, those images, whether furniture, architecture, or cars, have roots right here in Michigan.

A major exhibition that's begun at the Cranbrook Art Museum in Bloomfield Hills explores Michigan's major role in what America looked like in the mid-20th Century. And much of that design is linked to Cranbrook. It's called "Modern Michigan: Design that Shaped America."

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.