Some states have a few destinations featuring art, but the whole state of Michigan has a deep love for the creative spirit. Art museums are some of the first places Michigan natives talk about when they discuss culture, and with such a rich selection, it’s easy to see why.
The Detroit Institute of the Arts was recently saved from the threat of liquidation amidst the city’s bankruptcy woes, and with good reason: the facility houses one of the country’s top art collections. Works by Van Gogh, Matisse, Degas, Van Eyck, John Singer Sargent, Benjamin West and so many more give the Motor City prime bragging rights in the art world. With a 1,000-seat theater, onsite catering and tours, this cultural icon is a must for groups.
In the capital city of Lansing, the Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University walks the edgy side of the art scene with historic Greek and Roman collections, and contemporary exhibits that tweak and provoke the mind. The museum can accommodate up to 750 attendees, and there are a variety of galleries and spaces for events.
More than 150 years of collecting is represented by the 93,000-square-foot University of Michigan Museum of Art in Ann Arbor, and the facility boasts collections of Asian, American, European, Middle Eastern and African art. Planners can choose anything from a classroom for meetings to gallery receptions, full dinners or a presentation in the 185-seat Stern Auditorium.
The Dennos Museum Center at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City offers up a unique art experience with collections focusing on Inuit, Great Lakes Indian and Canadian Indian artworks, as well as pieces by Michigan artists. The regional focus makes this facility an excellent choice for planners seeking local color, and spaces include the Sculpture Court for receptions or dinners, the Auditorium for special events, or a selection of galleries for receptions and tours.
