BE460
Faculty Curators: Thomas Buchmueller (Ross School of Business); Laura De Becker (Chief Curator, UMMA)
Curated by Laura De Becker, Chief Curator and David Choberka, Mellon Foundation Curator for University Learning and Programs
On view: Fall 2025 and Winter 2026
Organized around a groundbreaking new course co-taught by UMMA’s Chief Curator Laura De Becker and Ross School of Business Professor Tom Buchmueller, this installation offers a glimpse behind the scenes of how museum collections grow and evolve and provides students with real-life experience navigating the art market.
Throughout Fall 2025, students in the course will investigate the economics, ethics, and strategies of acquiring art. Their final projects will take the form of acquisition proposals presented to UMMA’s curatorial team, and at least one student-selected work will be purchased and added to this installation and the Museum’s permanent collection.
Blending past and present, business and art, this exhibition documents that acquisition journey in real time — from the historical foundation of UMMA’s collection to the students’ bold, informed proposals for the future.
Works Included In This Collection
TBD Student-Led Acquisition
Artwork Title: To be determined by U-M Students
Date: 2025
Artist Name: To be determined
SUPPORT
Lead support for this exhibition is provided by Amelia Relles, the Richard and Rosann Noel Fund for Museum Education, and the Kaish-Dorfman Campus Curriculum Fund.