Wayne State launches online cultural hub to explore campus, Detroit’s world-class museums

Wayne State University has launched a new online cultural hub that brings together the university's museums, galleries and cultural experiences while strengthening connections to Midtown Detroit's world-class Cultural Center.

The new museums.wayne.edu serves as a central gateway to Wayne State's cultural life, highlighting campus museums and galleries, public art and archives, along with self-guided experiences that invite visitors to explore at their own pace. The initiative was spearheaded by WSU's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, home to many of the university's museums, collections and research-driven cultural programs.

"Our students learn in one of the most dynamic cultural districts in the country," said College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean Stephanie Hartwell. "This hub makes those opportunities more visible and accessible, connecting students directly to museums through teaching, research and cultural experiences that shape their education and their future careers."

A gateway to campus culture

The new hub reflects Wayne State's role as both a major research university and a cultural anchor in Detroit. Whether visitors are on campus, in Midtown or exploring virtually from anywhere in the world, the site offers a single starting point for discovering Wayne State's attractions.

Featured are the university's museums and cultural spaces, including the Lowrie Geology Mineral Museum, WSU Planetarium, the Walter P. Reuther Library and Wayne State University Art Collection and galleries, overseen by the College of Fine, Performing and Communication Arts (CFPCA).

Curated self-guided experiences highlight the campus ArtWalk, statues and monuments, murals, historic display cases and Minoru Yamasaki's famous McGregor Reflecting Pool and Sculpture Garden.

Digital experiences from anywhere

Digital access is a main component of the hub, expanding engagement beyond campus. Visitors can explore online exhibitions and digital collections as well as watch the Wayne State Peregrine Falcons through a 24-hour live stream, one of the university's most popular public-facing research initiatives.

Museum exhibitions and campus collections

The launch of the cultural hub coincides with several exhibitions currently on view across campus, including Fort Archaeology in Michigan at the Gordon L. Grosscup Museum of Anthropology. The exhibition presents artifacts excavated by Wayne State researchers and students at historic fort sites across Michigan, offering insight into the military, cultural and everyday lives of soldiers, settlers and Indigenous communities.

The hub also connects visitors to current exhibitions in CFPCA's art galleries, including Borders of Figuration: Painting and Drawing from the University Art Collection at Wayne State on view at the Elaine L. Jacob Gallery through March 7. Curated by Christopher Stackhouse, the exhibition brings together works by Detroit and international artists that explore evolving approaches to form and content in modern and contemporary painting and drawing.

Living research and campus icons

This spring marks the seventh nesting season for Lillie and Herman, Wayne State's resident peregrine falcons, who nest atop Old Main's iconic clock tower. The live camera supports biological research while inviting the public to observe the birds throughout the season. The launch of the hub coincides with an upcoming falcon-focused exhibit at the Lenore and Vollrad Von Berg Museum of Natural History, recently renamed in recognition of philanthropic support. The exhibition is slated to open in spring 2026.

What's next

The launch of the hub marks the first phase of a broader effort to connect Wayne State's cultural spaces. Future phases will include enhanced signage at cultural hotspots across campus, creating clearer pathways and a more cohesive experience for visitors.

Visit museums.wayne.edu to explore.