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Exhibitions

The GVSU Art Museum curates changing exhibitions at our five galleries throughout the year. We activate them through Programs and Events, as well as customized Tours, to help guests engage with the work on display.

Current & Upcoming Exhibitions

Planning Your Visit

Located on the Valley and City Campuses of GVSU, our galleries are accessible, free, and open to the community.

Explore Gallery locations

Quick Links:

 

student looking at art in a gallery

2024 Padnos International Center Photo Contest (PIC Pics)

Photograph of railroad track on the left and grain elevators on the right.

Becoming America: Our Past, Present, and Future at 250

A graphic with swirling colors and "fishladder A Student Journal of Art and Writing"

Selections from 'fishladder' - A Student Journal of Art and Writing

A photograph of water reflecting a building.

Beyond the Surface: Exploring Reflections in Art

A portrait painting of a man standing outside wearing a white hat and light colored suit.

Mathias J. Alten: An American Artist at the Turn of the Century

Photograph of a figure covered in yellow cloth, holding a tray with two glass pitchers

Margin to Mainstream – Recognizing Women Artists

Student Exhibitions

Each semester, we work with faculty and students in the Department of Visual & Media Arts to facilitate student exhibitions as part of their graduation requirements.

Explore Student Exhibitions

fishladder

Each spring in the Kirkhof Center Wall Gallery, we present a selection of visual and literary works of art from the student-run publication fishladder. It is typically hosted in conjunction with Student Scholars Day (SSD), an event celebrating the scholarship, research, and creative work performed by GVSU students from the past year. 

Selections from fishladder

Faculty Collaborations

The GVSU Art Museum values faculty research, scholarship, and engagement. The following exhibitions exemplify our dedication to uplift and showcase faculty work across a variety of disciplines.

Canal by Canal  Carnivals, Cognac, and Cycling Full Circle Making Waves  

ArtPrize

Grand Valley State University has been active in ArtPrize since the festival's inception in 2009, as an ArtPrize sponsor, venue, and programming partner. The University's participation has evolved, changing in step with the competition. In addition, GVSU has actively collected works of art for its permanent collection from past ArtPrize years

Explore ArtPrize at GVSU

Padnos International Center Photo Contest (PIC Pics)

Every year, hundreds of GVSU students travel around the world on a Study Abroad program through the Padnos International Center (PIC). For the PIC Pics Photo Contest, GVSU students and alumni are invited to share photos from their adventures abroad. The GVSU community votes on its favorite images, which become a part of the GVSU permanent collection.

Selections from PIC Pics

Interested in Submitting an Exhibition Proposal?

The GVSU Art Museum considers exhibition proposals from artists and curators for the galleries on our campuses. Proposals are typically considered for 1-2 years in advance.

Learn more about Exhibition Proposals

Page last modified May 20, 2026