Neighborhood Attractions
The State Street Area is blessed with the University of Michigan as a neighbor. The close proximity of the University to State Street has made this neighborhood the cultural center of our community. There are three Museums, the only two downtown cinema locations, and four performing arts venues within a five minute walk of State Street. And all of these are nestled within a seven block area of historic buildings and the central campus of the University.
The University of Michigan Museum of Art 525 S. State St.
Considered one of the finest university art museums in the country, UMMA boasts some 18,000 objects from the Western, Asian, and African traditions, including works by most of the great masters and representing the key schools and movements in these cultures; its collections of works by Whistler and Picasso, East Asian paintings and ceramics, and Congolese sculpture are among the finest in North America. The Museum’s historic home in Alumni Memorial Hall (1907-10) was erected as a tribute to University of Michigan graduates who died or were wounded in the Civil War, the Mexican-American War, and the Spanish-American War.
In 2006, the Museum of Art’s facility closed to the public in order to prepare for a landmark $35.4 million restoration and expansion. Through 2008 the Museum will operate a temporary exhibition space called UMMA Off/Site. Located immediately adjacent to the University’s central campus at the corner of South University and South Forest, this lovely loft gallery presents exhibitions and hosts a small gift shop. The new UMMA will open in the spring of 2009.
The Kelsey Museum of Archeology 434 S. State St.
The Kelsey Museum houses a collection of 100,000 objects from civilizations of the Mediterranean-including some stunning Egyptian mummies. It is closed to the public until Spring 2009, when it will be housed in a new extention to the main building- the Upjohn Wing.
The University of Michigan Exhibit Museum of Natural History 1109 Geddes Ave
The U-M Exhibit Museum of Natural History is located on the University of Michigan central campus, just steps from State Street. The Museum features exhibits on prehistoric life, Michigan wildlife, geology, and anthropology. The Hall of Evolution floor features Michigan’s largest display of dinosaur fossils; “Back to the Sea,” a comprehensive exhibit on whale evolution; and casts of male and female mastodon skeletons, unearthed near Owasso, Michigan, and Ft. Wayne, Indiana. The Michigan Wildlife floor includes over 200 taxidermy mounts of birds and over 40 replicas of Great Lakes fish, as well as displays on environmental topics, Michigan wildflowers, amphibians, and insectivores. Temporary exhibit galleries in the lobby and on the 4th floor explore other features of our natural world. The Museum’s new digital planetarium has weekend shows that change with the seasons. The Museum has a gift shop, and is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from noon until 5 p.m. Admission is free, although a donation of $6 per person is suggested. For information on special events, birthday parties, summer camps, and discovery days visit their website above.
The Michigan Theater 603 E. Liberty
Recently named the Outstanding Historic Theater in North America by the League of Historic American Theater and affiliated with the Sundance Institute, the sponsors of the Sundance Film Festival, the Michigan Theater is nationally renowned restored historic theater that is Ann Arbor’s center for fine film and performing arts. Constructed during the silent-era when films were shown with live musical accompaniment, the theater’s acoustics qualities are perfect for the Ann Arbor Symphony, who has made it their home since 1984. The Michigan is also home to the world-renown Ann Arbor Film Festival. Besides fine natural acoustics, the Historic Theater is equipped with a state-of-the-art movie sound system and high quality digital cinema projectors – as is the attached 200 seat Screening Room. You can see the finest in world cinema 365 days a year and before most events in the Historic Theater you can hear the Barton Organ, part of the original equipment in the silent-era days, played by one of the theater’s talented organists. The Michigan Theater is a State Street area jewel that is a must see Ann Arbor attraction. The State Theater is operated under a contract with the Michigan. This provides four screening opportunities every day.
Rackham Auditorium 915 E. Washington
Located in the historic Rackham Building, which is the center of graduate studies at the University of Michigan, the auditorium was one of the first performing arts spaces at the University. Beginning in 1939 various University organizations, like the Little Symphony, used the auditorium as a base for their public performances. The University Musical Society began sponsoring events there in 1941 when it presented its first chamber music festival. In the last seventy years UMS has used Rackham for recitals, folk and ballet dance presentations, and various ensemble events and festivals.
Hill Auditorium 825 N. University
Seating 3,500 people, Hill is the largest performing arts venue in Ann Arbor. Built in 1913 and renovated in 2004, this auditorium is known for its unique hemispherical seating. For over 90 years Hill Auditorium has been host to world-famous symphonies and solo artists; a wide range of University presentations, including the Men’s Chorale; and it is a popular place for lectures and meetings because of the intimate acoustics of its stage.
Power Center for the Performing Arts 121 Fletcher St.
Opening in 1971, the Power Center for the Performing Arts is a technically sophisticated theater built in the “modern classical” style of concrete and glass. Seating 1,900, Power has a seating area modeled after the Greek theater at Epidarus, and a stage area that is a combination of proscenium arch and thrust. This gives Power a most intimate feeling with no seat more then 80 feet from the stage. The soaring lobby features tapestries by Roy Lichtenstein and Pablo Picasso. Power is home to all of the University and community presenters from the School of Music to the University Musical Society to the Ann Arbor Summer Festival.
Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre 911 N. University, located in the Michigan League
Located within the Michigan League building on the central campus of the University of Michigan, the Mendelssohn is an intimate shoe-box theater which seats 640. Opening in 1929 the theatre is one of the few in the country to have a “cyclorama” or curved back wall. This design dramatically improves the acoustics of the theatre and makes it the perfect home for solo recitals and plays.