EAST LANSING, Mich. – At its June 2, 2015 meeting, East Lansing City Council approved an operating agreement with the MSU Department of Art, Art History and Design (AAHD) for (SCENE) Metrospace.
In early July, AAHD will be taking over the operation of (SCENE) Metrospace with an initial agreement of five years, with the option of extension. AAHD will be responsible for all operating costs. The City of East Lansing will continue to provide utilities and will forgo rental revenue in the City-owned space.
“This collaboration will help ensure that (SCENE) Metrospace continues to be an important part of the community’s vibrant arts and cultural scene, while also helping the City to tackle pressing budget challenges in a responsible way,” said East Lansing Parks, Recreation & Arts Director Tim McCaffrey.
“This new opportunity will build on the successes of past collaborations of the Department of Art, Art History and Design and (SCENE) Metrospace. We look forward to engaging the community with exciting new visual arts programming year round,” said AAHD Chairperson Chris Corneal.
AAHD will be hosting regular art exhibitions within the space and plans to keep the gallery open to the public for an average of 20 hours per week. AAHD will host up to eight exhibitions a year, with exhibitions featuring the work of undergraduate and graduate students, visiting artists, AAHD alumni, regional and national artists, as well as traveling exhibitions from other universities.
In addition to art exhibitions, AAHD also plans to solicit calls to host performances in the space, including music, theater, dance, poetry slams and more.
Beginning in early July, AAHD will begin to prepare the art gallery for future exhibitions. Preparations will include installing track lighting, painting the space, installing signs and more. AAHD’s first exhibition in the space will be a juried show featuring contemporary artwork by Michigan artists. There will be an opening reception on Sept. 11.