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Curated Group

Strike A Pose 🎓📷

Curated by Neil Kagerer

Group Details:

Graduation day is almost here, and if you’re scouting for the perfect photo spot, look no further than UMMA. With its inviting spaces, airy atmosphere, and incredible art, it’s the ultimate backdrop for capturing those once-in-a-lifetime moments. Consider the options listed below for your stunning cap and gown glow-up!

Inside UMMA, you’ll find soft, flattering light that makes your cap and gown shine. Some top photo locations include the winding staircase just off the Apse in Memorial Hall and the Modern & Contemporary Galleries, where dramatic backgrounds and perfect lighting come together effortlessly. If contemporary art and stairwells aren’t quite your style, UMMA’s many galleries and lounge areas provide plenty of alternatives to match your aesthetic. Be sure to check out what’s on view before your visit to plan the perfect backdrop for your photos!

For a more playful, dynamic shoot, step outside to UMMA’s outdoor spaces. Large-scale sculptures and the neoclassical architecture of Alumni Memorial Hall offer iconic, artsy settings. Jump, spin, or simply laugh your way through some candid shots—these campus classics are ideal for capturing your grad-day excitement. Just behind the Museum, you’ll find even more public art sculptures nestled among Michigan’s lush spring foliage and apple tree blossoms.

Feel free to take pics without the flash 🚫📸 and if you’re bringing a photographer, it’s a good idea to reach out to UMMA’s Marketing Department ahead of time. And don’t forget to tag UMMA on social media—we’d love to see your graduation moments 🎓🎉!

20th century
American
photograph on paper
2018
Jaume Plensa
polyester resin and marble dust
2006
Mark di Suvero
painted steel
1975
Charles Ginnever
Cor-Ten steel
1861
Randolph Rogers
Carrara marble
20th century
American
photograph on paper
1850
Richard James Wyatt
marble
2011
Tracey Emin
neon
2015
Enoc Perez
gold leaf and oil on canvas
1971
Louise Nevelson
painted wood
20th century
American
photograph on paper
2005
Mark Bradford
mixed media collage
1969
Helen Frankenthaler
acrylic on canvas
1987
Grace Hartigan
oil on canvas
2022
Frederick Ebenezer Okai
clay, duvet padding, stringed lights, nylon rope, metal wire, and polyurethane glue
circa 1940
Mike Disfarmer
gelatin silver print on paper
2020
Masimba Hwati
brass, iron, copper, carbon steel, and plastic
2019
Titus Kaphar
oil on canvas with nails
1890-1891
Louis Comfort Tiffany
wood, copper, stone, and favrile glass
1890-1891
Louis Comfort Tiffany
favrile glass, pottery, and plaster
19th century
Workshop of Mitsusada
metal, lacquer, silk cords, and silk fabric
19th century
Thai
gilt and lacquered wood with mirrors
circa 1870-1890
Henri Fantin-Latour
oil on canvas

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