You’ll double-take before you even step inside, thanks to its pleated stainless steel and glass façade that looks like it’s been folded in origami by a contemporary artist. The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum (MSU Broad) is an art institution that challenges what a university museum can be: visually daring, conceptually provocative, and open to all.
Established November 10, 2012, the Broad was designed by the renowned Zaha Hadid. It was funded through a lead gift from Eli and Edythe Broad and built to combine Michigan State University’s historic art collection with a vibrant forward-looking program. The result is a place where ancient artifacts live alongside multimedia installations, and public engagement is as central to its mission as the artworks themselves.
Key Highlights & What You’ll Love
The building itself is a star attraction. The exterior’s folding surfaces, sharp angles, and light-catching panels constantly shift with the time of day. Once inside, you’ll notice uniquely shaped gallery spaces that frame art in unexpected ways—sometimes dramatic verticals, other times quieter horizontal expanses.
The museum’s collection spans more than 10,000 objects ranging over 5,000 years of art history: from Greek and Roman antiquities, pre-Columbian works, and Medieval manuscripts, to paintings, sculptures, and installations by 20th- and 21st-century artists. What makes this mix special is how the museum juxtaposes historical works with the newest, cutting-edge art—inviting you to think about continuity, innovation, and the conversations art can hold across centuries.
Rotating exhibitions are frequent and ambitious. They often highlight underrepresented voices, emerging artists, socially relevant themes, and multimedia or installation-based work. Programs range from family-friendly to academic, with artist talks, special events, and immersive installations. You won’t see the same show twice in a year.
Visiting the Core collection is especially rewarding. Called “The CORE,” this exhibition space reveals parts of the permanent collection in thoughtful new arrangements—sometimes themed, sometimes archival—allowing you to explore lesser-seen works alongside major pieces.
Atmosphere & Décor
Inside, the Broad feels modern, airy, and intentionally curated. Light often filters through glass walls and high ceilings, bouncing off polished floors and metal surfaces. Spatial flow is non-traditional: galleries curve or slice around one another rather than follow a straight march, giving the sense that discovery can happen at unexpected turns.
Public areas, cafés, the gift shop, and outdoor plazas all reinforce that this museum isn’t just for art-connoisseurs. Even when exhibitions are experimental, the design favors resting points: plazas or windows with views, bench seating, spaces to pause. The exterior plaza and grounds also connect visually with campus and the city, which helps the museum feel integrated—not isolated.
Other Considerations
So how’s the price? Admission is generally free, which makes the Broad highly accessible. Some special exhibitions or events might carry a fee, but for the regular galleries and public programs, you won’t need a ticket.
Best time and tips for visiting? Aim for weekday mornings or less busy times to absorb the architecture and galleries more quietly. Exhibitions change often, so checking the museum’s calendar in advance is wise. Bring a camera for the exterior and interior, particularly when daylight hits the façade at sharp angles.
Any drawbacks? The bold architecture, while beautiful, sometimes limits what kinds of work can be displayed in certain gallery spaces. Some visitors note that large, traditional works or those needing flat uninterrupted walls may feel awkwardly placed. Also, while the museum is spacious in some parts, other corners are tighter or more angular, which can be disorienting. Parking can be a bit of a hassle, depending on time of day or campus events.
Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum
📍 547 East Circle Drive, East Lansing, MI 48824
Website: https://broadmuseum.msu.edu
