Africa Past, Present, and Future: Celebrating 65 Years of the MSU African Studies Center

About the Exhibition

In 2025, the African Studies Center at Michigan State University celebrates its 65th anniversary, a remarkable achievement with so many impactful years of service to the university community and beyond.

To mark this occasion, this exhibition draws upon the collection of the MSU Broad Art Museum to engage a wide range of African art and cultural objects that help narrate the relationship of MSU to the African continent. The museum’s collections of African art grew in significance with the collecting efforts of MSU’s former president John Hannah, who also initiated the formation of the African Studies Center in 1960. Through this shared history, and building upon the incredible work of the Center today, this exhibition offers experiential opportunities for visitors to learn about the Center’s captivating work—past, present, and future.

Africa Past, Present, and Future: Celebrating 65 Years of the MSU African Studies Center is organized by the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University in partnership with the African Studies Center, International Studies and Programs at MSU. Support for this series is provided by the MSU Federal Credit Union.