The Collection
While most of the GVSU collection is on public view, and can be found throughout university buildings on all seven GVSU campuses or in one of five dedicated exhibition locations, much of the collection is stored behind the scenes.
Our online database, powered by Collective Access, allows GVSU faculty, staff, students, and researchers from around the world to access information about all the artwork and artists in our collection.
Want to learn more? Access the art collection using any of the methods linked below.
How to Access the Art Collection
Art in Public Spaces
Almost half of the GVSU Art Collection is on public view in and around campus buildings. Artwork inside buildings is typically selected in collaboration with department and program faculty and staff, and supports learning in those spaces.
Exhibitions
Temporary exhibitions often include artwork from the permanent collection. Exhibition spaces range from traditional and untraditional gallery spaces across the Allendale and Robert C. Pew Grand Rapids campuses.
Art at GVSU App
On the move? Take the collection with you using our Art at GVSU mobile app for Apple and Android devices.
Catalogues Raisonnés
In addition to our online collection, which features over 20,000 works of art, we are also the stewards of the two comprehensive artist holdings, those of Mathias Alten and Armand Merizon. These two collections not only consists of the largest public collections of physical artwork known but also artist life timelines, scholarship, video interviews, and the official catalogue raisonnés; a comprehensive, annotated listing of all the known artworks by an artist either in a particular medium or all media.
Print and Drawing Cabinet
Did you know the collection is made up of many smaller collections? For instance, the GVSU Print and Drawing Cabinet contains more than 4,000 works on paper.
Request a Visit or Collaboration
GVSU Art Museum staff visit classrooms with original works of art, host groups of students in our art storage facility, provide customized tours of exhibitions, and collaborate on a variety of visual art and learning initiatives. Use this form to start a conversation about a visit, tour, or collaboration. An Art Museum staff person will follow-up to make arrangements or continue the dialogue.
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Collective Access
GVSU utilizes the open source collection management system Collective Access to manage the visual art collection. Collective Access is free open-source software for managing and publishing museum and archival collections. The GVSU Art Museum is an active leader and contributor to the global Collective Access community and has created Collective Access Local Consortium for area users.
Collection Maintenance and Care Policy
Faculty and staff members, contractors, students, and other people with duties/responsibilities requiring them to come into contact with the University art collection are subject to the following policies and procedures to ensure that the University’s legal, ethical, and fiduciary responsibilities for the safekeeping of these assets are maintained.
Contact Us
For questions or assistance with the GVSU art collection, please contact Collections Manager, Nicole Webb; [email protected].