MSU Museum

@msumuseum.bsky.social

The MSU Museum is an innovative and experimental collaboratory that exists to catalyze creativity. Here, people can openly explore, express, and experiment with ideas across disciplines and interests, and indulge their natural curiosity about the world.

Every specimen has a story to tell. Opening October 27 at the Michigan State University Museum, Specimens and Stories explores how preserved animals reveal new insights into biodiversity, environmental change, and scientific discovery. buff.ly/1dMdgkd

Bild

Tomorrow, see "Humanity (1984/2026)," a short film by MSU Professor Troy Hale! From security cameras like Flock cameras to cellphones, drones, doorbell and dashboard cams, this film project by MSU students explores our modern surveillance state. Register: bit.ly/10_22_26

Event graphic for "Humanity (1984/2026)" in a retro futurist style with beige background, teal and green swoops, and dark red stripe. Includes poster for "Humanity" in a dark, gritty style.

Don't miss a second screening of LORETA, a fictional AI at the heart of a short film where artificial intelligence replaces administrators rather than faculty. Following the film, join a participatory design workshop to envision a future of higher education worth hoping for.  bit.ly/10_16_26

Event graphic for "LORETA" in a retro futurist style with a dusty blue background, dark blue stripe, and photos of the workshop leaders in circles.

Looking for something to do this weekend? - Free admission - No ticket required - Interactive experiences - A place to explore, learn, and connect Check in at the Welcome Desk and discover what's happening at the MSU Museum. We are open Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Tomorrow, visit the Benefactors Plaza on MSU's campus to see “Bearing Witness,” a New York Times pop-up exhibition celebrating 175 years of photojournalism at The Times. The exhibition will be on view each day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Two large exhibition blocks, each taller than the average person with vivid color photos, are installed debut of the exhibit at University of Madison–Wisconsin. Photos are by Jim Vondruska, The New York TimesA large photo installation at the debut of the exhibit at University of Madison–Wisconsin. Photos are by Jim Vondruska, The New York Times. A blurry passerby can be seen behind the installation carrying an umbrella.A close up of text on an exhibition block at the debut of the exhibit at University of Madison–Wisconsin. Photos are by Jim Vondruska, The New York Times.Two large photos on display outdoors at the debut of the exhibit at University of Madison–Wisconsin. Photos are by Jim Vondruska, The New York Times. The campus with brick collegiate gothic architecture can be seen in the background.

The Commons was created as a gathering place when the MSU Museum reopened in January 2026. We bring together students, scholars, artists, and communities to exchange ideas, explore new perspectives, and create something together. Learn more in our Annual Report: buff.ly/ZXfG9BW

A poet in a bright yellow top, white skirt, black stockings, and tall platform shoes performs on a stage in front of a projection screen showing "Blurred Realities." She also wears a large statement ankh necklace and colorful hair scarf. In the foreground, audience members watch her performance.A conductor wearing all black holds his hands up in front of a clapping audience, with musicians standing behind him. Instruments include cello, violin, marimba, harp, and several woodwand instruments.Four gentlemen sit in clear chairs on a black stage in front of a projection that reads "Conversation: Music, Science, and Video Games" while a moderator, smiling, stands in front of a lectern labeled "MSU Museum"A group of students participate in a speculative future building activity at a rectangular table, magazines for collaging spread out in front of them while two students stand nearby, looking down.

TOMORROW: "The Doctor Will See You Now" from 6:00-7:30 PM in the MSU Museum Commons! Facilitated by Harmant Grewal, MSU Student in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, this panel explores the art of medicine and rapidly evolving technolog. Spots available: bit.ly/9_24_26

Event graphic for "The Doctor Will See You Now" in a retro futurist style with beige background, yellow swoop, and dark red stripe. Includes photos of speakers in spotlighted bubbles.

Superstar comic artist and writer Terry Blas is coming to the MSU Museum on September 17! Terry Blas has done work for big names from Ariana Grande and Marvel to Steven Universe and Rick and Morty. Don't miss his hands-on comics-making workshop! Register: bit.ly/9_17_26

A collage of four books with the author/illustrator's photo. A Latinx man wearing a black shirt with a white cat collar and black glasses against a pale pink background. Books include "Reptil" from Marvel, "Dead Weight: Murder at Camp Bloom," Steven Universe, and "Ariana Grande vs. Sargeant Shade"

Our popular silent disco 🪩 is back! For one night only, the MSU Museum transforms the Beal Botanical Garden into an open-air dance floor. Grab a pair of wireless headphones, choose your favorite music channel, and dance the night away. Register: bit.ly/9_3_26

On a sky blue background, a stylized image of a young woman with long curly hair and wearing glowing headphones while laughing is overlaid with a bright pink. A texture of rounded shapes spelling "UNWIND" spreads across the bottom left of the image while repeating bold text in white and pink reads "UNWIND: Silent Disco"

The MSU Museum’s 2025–26 Annual Report is here! From reopening our doors following a major renovation to launching new exhibitions and programs, advancing research and collections work, and creating opportunities for students, it has been an exciting year at the Museum. buff.ly/7H4XMxZ

Cover for the 2025-26 MSU Museum Annual Report, featuring a lime green stripe on the left with an image of MSU Museum visitors smile as they explore an installation with moving imagery and sound displaying scenes of Afrofuturism and the ocean on curtains around them on the right.

Thank you, Vatsal! Today we are saying goodbye and thank you to one of our amazing student employees. During his time at the MSU Museum, Vatsal played an important role in our RFID accessibility project in Habitat Hall, helping create a more accessible experience for Museum visitors.

An MSU student wearing a navy polo, black glasses, and khaki pants poses in front of a Stegosaurus skeleton with his hands in his pockets. He is wearing a green lanyard for the MSU Museum Access Audio experience around his neck.

During our renovation, our elephants were carefully moved and returned to their reimagined 2nd-floor home. Now, we are busy again behind the scenes! We're closed August 11–26 as we install new exhibitions for fall. Take a look back at how we moved our elephants: buff.ly/YDqtkxY #WorldElephantDay

Elephants in the Room

This time-lapse captures the precision, planning, and teamwork required to reinstall the MSU Museum’s elephants. From rigging and positioning to final adjustments, the video offers a…

youtube.com

The MSU Museum will be temporarily closed August 11–26 as we install exciting new exhibitions for the fall semester. We'll reopen on Thursday, August 27, and new exhibitions and experiences will continue to roll out throughout the fall. Thank you for your patience as we prepare what's next!

On a green gradient background, white text reads "MSU MUSEUM CLOSED: August 11-August 26. Regular hours resume on Thursday, August 27"

As a university museum, the MSU Museum is always evolving. Our exhibitions are designed to support teaching, inspire research, and spark meaningful conversations. You'll notice some galleries temporarily closed while new exhibitions are installed. We look forward to welcoming you back!

A large sign in front of an empty museum gallery, painted blue with one lonely ladder in the background. The sign has colorful icons and stripes and reads "Reality Check: Just because we can...should we? Exhibition opening soon! September 3-December 12, 2026"