Exploring the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum: Curves, Culture, and Creativity in Lansing

THREE DOWN, 16 TO GO

Another Lansing, Michigan sight seen: the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum. One of the landmarks on the “19 Things Visitors Should See While in Lansing” list, my first thought was, “This looks like a giant tin horn that got crushed and tossed about during a tornado!” My second thought was, “Well, I’ve been pronouncing that wrong.” 

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The Broad Art Museum (pronounced BROHD), on the Michigan State University campus, is another iconic Lansing must-experience. Containing more than 7,000 works of art and spanning a time frame of 19 centuries, the Broad Art Museum is itself a work of art. 

A JEWEL IN AN INTERESTING CROWN

Designed by Zaha Hadid beginning in 2007, the museum follows her signature style: strange geometries (thought #3 — is that wall defying the laws of physics?), ever-changing light, and curious materials. For reference, Hadid also designed the Guangzhou Opera House in China, the Zaragoza Bridge Pavilion in Spain, and the London Aquatics Centre in England. Hadid’s nickname, the Queen of Curve, and the similarities to her other works were not lost on me during this first visit. As I walked through the museum, the structure’s use of glass and space caught my attention — though I hope to return on a sunny day. 

“There are 360 degrees, so why stick to one?” — Zaha Hadid 

Moving my perceptions to the works of art inside the museum, I felt one of the current exhibits, Nabil Kanso: Echoes of War, was striking a chord. There was an emotion in the work I can say I’m blessed not to have felt. Even the penciled sketches told a story of pain I can only imagine through the artist’s eyes. (Exhibit can be viewed through June 29, 2025.) 

ABUNDANCE AND INJUSTICE

Another exhibit, Farmland, also pays homage to the agricultural roots of the Lansing area while shining a light on the inconsistencies and disproportionate dynamics faced by the workers involved in harvest and beyond. One of the interactive food exhibits left me with questions I will struggle to answer and can only hope to help change. (Exhibit on display through July 27, 2025.) 

The Broad Art Museum is currently showcasing work from MSU’s graduating Master of Fine Arts students in the 2025 MFA Exhibition. The museum states the exhibit, “...celebrates the creative research of Claire E. Heiney, Morgan Reneé Hill, and Megan Weaver as evidence of their achievement and continuing artistic, scholarly, and professional promise.” And while there’s no alphabet behind my name, I think the exhibit shows amazing talent, perception, and depth of self of all the artists. I was immediately taken with the mediums used by Morgan Reneé Hill and had to sit down to Google what Yupo paper was. (I’m glad I visited the museum when I did, as it turned out to be the final day of the MFA student exhibit.) 

I’ve checked another Lansing treasure off the to-see list — and I’ve had my eyes opened to new perspectives about the simplest things. I guess one should expect an education when stepping onto a campus like Michigan State University. 

Special thanks to Annabelle for running upstairs for info for me...it's greatly appreciated! ~~HG