Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum — Attraction in East Lansing

If I could give the Broad less than one star, I would.

To start with, the building is an eyesore. The location they put it in is old campus, which is full of brick and ivy buildings. As a building constructed almost entirely of metal, it sticks out like a sore thumb, which doesn't assist in the already unfriendliness of the building. All of the angles and metal make it very cold and uninviting. It does not entice you to enter. Added to that, the moment it opened, it was already a dated piece of architecture. It's like looking back at the 'World of Tomorrow' and seeing all of the things that were wrong about where we are now. The Broad already looks like something out of the past and it just opened five years ago.

If you get a good look at the outside, you know exactly what you're getting from the interior, lots of cold, uninviting angles. What I wasn't expecting was the large amount of wasted space due to the architectural design. From the outside, it appears as though the space will be able to display quite a bit, but the museum feels very small. The Flint Institute of Arts did a much better job of expanding the display place during their remodel several years ago than the Broad did on a new construction, which, when you're creating a place to display art the amount of space you actually have that can realistically display art seems pretty important to me. Sacrificing display space for architectural design is a decision seems like a poor tradeoff. The architecture should have lended itself to enhancing the displays, not detracting from them.

Also, all of the employees were scowling the entire time I was there. No one was friendly. No one even smiled. They had six people who looked like security guards in the foyer/entrance and every single one of them looked at you like they wanted you to leave, and this is before you even enter the museum proper! I've never been to a museum that was less friendly and uninviting. You might be thinking, maybe it was an off-day, but every time I have been there has been the same. Now, I do expect security guards to be serious, but it seemed overstaffed for the small space and the people who were regular employees had the same uninviting expressions. I'd rather go through airport security, where you at least get the occasional smile or person trying to joke with you.

On a positive note, they do have a little coffee bar and I like coffee, so that was nice, but it might be faster to go across the street to Starbucks and back in the amount of time it takes them to make one latte when you're the only one in the line. I've given the Broad it's fair share of chances over the past five years and the exhibits are always subpar. Combine that with the unfriendly employees and the empty wasted space, it definitely isn't something that slow coffee alone is going to lure me back for.

I've long since written this building off as somewhere to go for art. I would rather take the drive to see the Flint Institute of Arts or the Grand Rapids Art Museum, both of which contain much better rotating collections on a regular basis and make fantastic use of their allotted space, as well as having employees who are actually friendly...

I'm honestly furious that I cannot give this place less than 1 star. We made reservations over the phone. We were told that the museum was open but that a few exhibits might be closed.

When we arrived we were asked if we were here for family day. We said we had made reservations but we're interested in whatever family day was. We were given no explanation. We the were told that nearly the ENTIRE museum was closed. We were told that SOME exhibits we're still open. We we're not given a guide, we were not given a map, we were not given any information. We were told the exhibit to the right was open. We walked into a room about 30' x 10' with probably 30-40 photos on the wall. Our oldest of 3 children (10) was looking at the photos and was very interested. Our 3 year old want to get down and move around, he tried to run for the exit and the 7yr old chased him to stop him. Everything was situated and the oldest kids were reading aloud and learning about the photos. 5 minutes in a museum worker cam up to me and said, "could you not have your kids run around the museum?" Museum? We aren't in a museum. We're in a closet in the front lobby. My kids have been to many museums. They've been allowed to be kids in the museums. Skip this place. Go to the botanical gardens to enjoy beauty and art. I wanted to give this eyesore of a building a chance. It apparently is not family friendly or welcoming of children, despite it's public statements. So disappointed, and so...

The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, located on the campus of Michigan State University, is a striking architectural and cultural gem. Designed by the renowned architect Zaha Hadid, the building itself is a work of contemporary art, featuring sharp angles, dramatic lines, and a dynamic façade that captures attention before one even steps inside. Its futuristic design contrasts with the traditional architecture found elsewhere on campus, making it a destination for design enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

Inside, the museum offers a thoughtfully curated mix of contemporary art and rotating exhibitions that span various media and cultural perspectives. The galleries are open and flexible, allowing for an immersive experience that challenges and engages visitors. The museum emphasizes global contemporary art, showcasing works that address timely and provocative social, political, and cultural issues.

The Broad also serves as a hub for education and community engagement. It offers programs for students, artists, and the public, fostering dialogue and creative exploration. Admission is free, which enhances its accessibility and encourages repeat visits.

Overall, the Eli Broad Museum is not only an architectural landmark but also a vital cultural institution. It successfully bridges the local and the global, making it a must-visit for anyone in East Lansing or the...