While the Michigan State University (MSU) Museum undergoes renovations at its campus location, some of its collections and exhibitions will be temporarily housed at the MSU Federal Credit Union’s (MSUFCU) 311 Abbot Building. This partnership, with MSUFCU providing the space at no cost until the museum reopens in January 2026, will begin with a special launch event on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, celebrating the new exhibition space.
“The MSU Museum is a beloved institution, and we’re honored to have the opportunity to host their collections,” said April Clobes, MSUFCU President and CEO. “This partnership allows us to create a unique and dynamic space that will enrich the cultural landscape of downtown East Lansing.”
The Oct. 4 event will be a feast for the senses, featuring live culinary demonstrations by renowned chefs. Among them are Michael Ransom, a Traverse City and East Lansing native who, after honing his skills in San Francisco and Baltimore, returned to Detroit to open the acclaimed Ima, known for its Japanese-inspired dishes with Midwestern ingredients; Joseph VanWagner, an MSU graduate who has held top positions at leading restaurants in Detroit and Chicago; and Sarah Welch, executive chef at Marrow and co-founder of Mink, an MSU graduate, a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef in the Great Lakes, and former contestant on Bravo’s Top Chef.
Each chef will craft unique dishes showcasing their culinary mastery. An open bar will feature signature cocktails, all set to the fresh beats of acclaimed electronic music artist John Collins of the pioneering Detroit-based techno collective and record label Underground Resistance.
As a highlight of the evening, attendees will get the first look at Monumentum, a new immersive light and sound installation by Berlin-based artist Abel Korinsky. This work, developed as part of the inaugural MSUFCU Arts Power Up artist-in-residence program, in collaboration with the MSU Museum and MSU’s Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, explores the intersection of art and cutting-edge scientific research. The installation will officially open to the public shortly after the event.
“We are excited to introduce innovative, immersive experiences at our off-site location while the MSU Museum undergoes renovations,” said Devon Akmon, MSU Museum Director. “These efforts represent a bold step in blending the arts, sciences, cultures, and technologies, redefining the role of a 21st-century academic museum.”
Tickets for the event are priced at $175 per person. All proceeds will benefit the MSU Museum, supporting its renovation and reopening. Thanks to the support of MSU Federal Credit Union, every dollar raised will directly contribute to the Museum’s continued growth and future endeavors. Learn more and buy tickets at museum.msu.edu.