Art, Art History, and Design

A man in a blue L.L. Bean hoodie stands in front of a wall filled with assorted notes and photos, conveying a creative and thoughtful atmosphere.

Why This Emerging Artist Isn’t Worried About AI Replacing Human Creativity

May 8, 2026

As an emerging artist, Alex Vlasov isn’t afraid of artificial intelligence. While some futurists predict AI could replace human-created art and writing, Vlasov disagrees. “Photography didn’t replace paintings. Ever since the first photographs in 1826, paintings are still created,” Vlasov said. He further explained that human-created art will continue to provide opportunities for people to see connections, find themes, and experience the emotions conveyed through an artist’s work.

People gather in a hallway for the Day of Design. A student with pink hair explains her graphic design project displayed on the wall to an alum wearing a scarf.

Art, Art History, and Design / Event / Graphic Design / Michigan Impact / News / Student / Student

MSU Graphic Design Students, Faculty, and Alumni Celebrate 10 Years of the BFA Program

May 7, 2026

This spring, faculty, students, and alumni celebrated 10 years of the Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program at Michigan State University. The Graphic Design B.F.A. major and the minor launched in 2016 to meet MSU student interest and align with industry expectations. Before 2016, Graphic Design was a concentration within the Studio Art B.F.A. major. The Day of…

A composite of four headshots. Top left: Smiling woman with curly brown hair, wearing a mesh cardigan over a gray top. She has a nose ring and a necklace, set against a plain background. Top right: Young man in a green graduation gown and tie stands smiling in front of a tree. He wears a pink stole and yellow honors cord, conveying achievement. Bottom left: Man in a striped shirt stands beside artwork titled "M.E.L.T.T." on a gallery wall. Bright abstract painting in the background. Calm expression. Bottom right: Smiling young adult male with short hair, wearing a patterned button-up shirt against a soft blue background. Mood is friendly and welcoming.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / Award / Citizen Scholars / English / Film Studies / Graduating Senior / Linguistics / News / Student / Student / Theatre

Four Graduating Seniors Honored as the 2026 Louis B. Sudler Prize Winners

April 27, 2026

Four graduating seniors were awarded this year’s Louis B. Sudler Prize, which recognizes outstanding achievement in the performing and creative arts, including fine arts, music, creative writing, theatre, and electronic/photographic arts. Presented each year by the College of Arts & Letters, recipients must be members of the senior graduating class and demonstrate outstanding achievement in the performing or creative arts and show promise for future achievement.

A man speaks into a microphone at an art gallery, surrounded by a diverse crowd of attentive people. The room is warmly lit, creating an engaging atmosphere.

AAHD / Apparel and Textile Design / Art, Art History, and Design / Arts MSU / Award / Graphic Design / News / Student / Student

Department of Art, Art History, and Design Honors 2026 Award and Scholarship Winners

April 24, 2026

The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) at Michigan State University honored its 2026 undergraduate awards and scholarship recipients during the reception for the 2026 AAHD Undergraduate Exhibition on April 10 at (SCENE) Metrospace. The awards and scholarships recognize Art, Art History, and Design students for their outstanding coursework and creative skills this past academic year. Each spring the faculty comes together to nominate exceptional undergraduate…

A woman with long brown hair stands in front of a large photo of two vintage cars parked in an old European courtyard. She appears calm and thoughtful.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / Design, Technology, and Media / Excel Network / Excel Network Communities / Graduating Senior / Graphic Design / Internship / News / Senior Spotlights / Student / Student / Study Abroad

From East Lansing to Paris: Graphic Design Student Expands Creative Vision During Semester Abroad

April 16, 2026

McKenna Long, a Michigan State University student majoring in Graphic Design, spent a semester abroad studying at the Paris College of Art (PCA), an opportunity available exclusively to MSU College of Arts & Letters students. She used the experience to expand her academic and creative focus, exploring interior design, architecture, and spatial design — all while living and studying in the City of Light.

2026 Undergrad Exhibition poster with bold purple text on a white background. Colorful abstract art surrounds the text. Juried by Ekaterina Popova. Held at (SCENE) Metrospace from March 26 to April 24, with a reception on April 10, 5-7pm.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / Arts MSU / Exhibition / News / Student / Student

MSU’s 2026 Undergraduate Art Exhibit on Display at (SCENE) Metrospace March 26-April 24

March 24, 2026

The 2026 Department of Art, Art History, and Design Undergraduate Exhibition at Michigan State University features the work on 64 students created in Department of Art, Art History, and Design courses during the past year. This juried exhibition runs March 26 through April 24 at (SCENE) Metrospace, 110 Charles Street, East Lansing, Michigan. Gallery hours are noon-5 p.m. Thursday-Sunday.

A two-by-two grid of headshots featuring four MSU faculty members. Top left is Jonathan Choti in a blue blazer; top right is Philip Effiong in a green sweater and round glasses; bottom left is is Peter Glendinning in a blue blazer holding a camera; bottom right Stephen Esquith in a dark blazer and purple tie.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / Faculty / Faculty / Grant / Linguistics / News / Philosophy / Programs / Student / Student / Theatre

Faculty and Students Engage in Cross-Cultural Teaching and Learning Through COIL Program

March 12, 2026

Four College of Arts & Letters faculty members are part of the third cohort of the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Faculty Fellows Program-Africa, pairing them with faculty from an African country with the goal of engaging students in meaningful global learning experiences. An online cross-cultural teaching and learning method, the COIL program links university courses, faculty, and students in different countries,…

Installation view of the 2026 Master of Fine Arts Exhibition at the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, featuring diverse artworks by five graduating MFA candidates. The display includes, from left to right: a terracotta sculptural form with abstract organic shapes; a mixed-media collage combining drawings, handwritten text, and photographic elements; colorful woven textile work; ornate beaded textile with intricate patterned designs; and natural dried botanical materials suspended in the gallery space.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / Arts MSU / Exhibition / Lansing-East Lansing Impact / News / Research / Student / Student

2026 MFA Exhibition Showcases the Work on Five Artist-Scholars

March 6, 2026

The annual Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Exhibition returns to the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University March 14-May 17, 2026, and will feature the work of five MFA candidates — Yeroham Ashagre, Hailey Becker, Niloufar Fallahfar, Vadu Rodrigues, and Alex Vlasov — all of whom are graduating this spring. This thesis exhibition is the culmination…

The bronze Spartan statue on Michigan State University’s campus is shown in the foreground, backlit by the sun, with trees, blue sky, and campus buildings visible in the background.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / Digital Humanities / Event / Faculty / Faculty / Lansing-East Lansing Impact / Michigan Impact / News / Philosophy / Research / Student / Student / XA

From AI to Urban Trees: College of Arts & Letters Faculty and Students Lead Ethics Week Events Inviting MSU Community into Critical Dialogue

February 16, 2026

This week, Feb. 16-20, 2026, Michigan State University celebrates Ethics Week, a week-long series of events designed to engage students, faculty, staff, and the community in meaningful discussions about ethics and to encourage campus-wide engagement with contemporary moral challenges. Organized by the Ethics Institute, Ethics Week is dedicated to exploring the key roles ethics plays in our professional and personal…

A group of nine College of Arts & Letters faculty members standing in two rows, smiling and posing for a group photo. They are dressed in business professional attire, including dark blazers, a teal jacket, dress shirts with ties, and a cream blouse. They stand on a patterned rug in a well-lit indoor lounge area featuring an orange seating bench, a wood-slatted ceiling, and warm pendant lighting. In the blurred foreground, the hands of a person holding a smartphone are visible, capturing the picture of the group.

AAHD / Art, Art History, and Design / English / Faculty / Faculty / Faculty Stories / Linguistics / News / Philosophy / Religious Studies / Spanish / Theatre

MSU Celebrates Promoted Faculty, Honoring 29 from the College of Arts & Letters

February 14, 2026

During the 2025-2026 academic year, 24 faculty members within the College of Arts & Letters received promotions. The success of these individuals was celebrated at special ceremonies hosted by the Office of the Provost. “On behalf of the College of Arts & Letters, I want to congratulate our faculty members who have earned promotions this year,” said Thomas Stubblefield, Dean of the College of Arts & Letters.