MSU exhibit curated by survivors receives honor

TUESDAY, Oct. 8 — Michigan State University Museum’s “Finding Our Voice: Sister Survivors Speak” exhibit was awarded the 2019 Peninsulas Prize last week for its community impact by the Michigan Museums Association.

The exhibit originally opened Apr. 16 and was co-curated by survivors involved in the university’s Title IX fumble, resulting in the indictment of former MSU doctor Lawrence Nassar in 2017 and the resignation of former president Lou Anna K Simon in 2018.  

“Our entire campus community is very proud of the effort put into this unique and meaningful exhibit,” said MSU President Samuel L. Stanley, Jr. in a press release yesterday. “The significance of both the exhibit and the collaboration of those who put it together is not overlooked by the university. I’m proud to see others are recognizing the specialness and significance as well.”

In the press release, Museum Director Mark Auslander said the exhibit emerged out of collaboration “between the museum staff and the many sister survivors who generously placed their trust in us, at a time when they had little reason to trust anyone at the university.”

Co-curator and sister survivor Amanda Smith believes the exhibit was successful in raising awareness "on such a taboo topic."

”The more people are willing to have an open dialogue around sexual abuse the more aware each generation becomes on how to prevent it,” she said.

The exhibit will be on display through March 2020.

“Finding Our Voice: Sister Survivors Speak”

MSU Museum

409 W. Circle Drive

Monday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Tuesday, 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Wednesday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday, 10a.m. -5 p.m.

Sunday, closed

(517) 355-2370

museum.msu.edu/