In June, 2007, Michigan State University announced that a new world-class art museum will be built on campus. The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum will be a premier venue to attract major exhibitions and collections and serve as a showcase to enrich the educational experience and aesthetic enjoyment of art. The building, designed by world-renowned
Zaha Hadid, will enable the museum to increase its visibility, showcase more of the permanent collection, organize and exhibit larger and more significant exhibitions, become more integral to university life and the greater community, and increase in stature—bringing international attention to the museum, MSU, the region and State of Michigan.
An artist's rendering of what the museum will look like when approached on Grand River Avenue.
The museum has been controversial because of its contemporary design on the very traditional campus of MSU. The museum, which broke ground on March 16, is expected to open in the spring of 2012 and is on schedule and within budget. When completed, it will feature more than 70 percent gallery space and room for large art works to be displayed. The primary focus of the museum will be contemporary art.
The construction site of MSU’s Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum is clearly beginning to take on the “Z” shape of the innovative building design by world-renowned architect Zaha Hadid. Looking at the construction site on Grand River next to Berkey Hall, one can clearly see the foundation and the start of walls for what will be a world-class museum.The museum, which broke ground on March 16, is expected to open in the spring of 2012 and is on schedule and within budget. When completed, it will feature more than 70 percent gallery space and room for large art works to be displayed.
The facility is named in honor of Eli and Edythe Broad, longtime supporters of the university who provided the lead gift for the museum.
The Broads’ gift of $28 million, with $21 million designated for construction of the building and $7
Image via Wikipediamillion to be used for acquisitions, exhibitions and operations, was the catalyst for the project. Additional fundraising for construction has raised nearly $34 million of the $40 million goal for the building.
The staff of this blog will follow this story as it progresses.
Come with us on our ten minute walk to downtown Chapel Hill, and our favorite: The Carolina Coffee Shop. First we leave the apartment. That's us on the lower level left.
Looking back at our apartment from across the grass, and past the gazebo, and tennis court.
Down into the ravine. We have been warned to watch out for snakes once the weather warms up.
Up onto the other side of the ravine, and the trail continues.
Like most trails around here, it goes up and up ........
Through the bamboo.
Take a right, and head toward civilization.
We are going to turn left toward town. Notice the gain in altitude continues.
Heading down Henderson Street for two blocks.
McCorkle Place and the University of North Carolina campus is across the street.
We head down Franklin Street, which is the main street in Chapel Hill.
Almost there, it is across the street with the Carolina blue awning. The inside has dark wood, and lots of charm.
