Museum Interim Director Steven Bridges said a main focus of the anniversary celebration is an exhibition of Zaha Hadid's work – the architect of the building.

“This whole year has really been focused on a number of special initiatives for us," Bridges said. "We opened the year with a major commission by artist Beverly Fishman, who did a major exhibition about our collection. And then currently, we have the largest retrospective of Zaha Hadid's design work that's ever been mounted and certainly ever been mounted within her own architecture. So it's an incredible exhibition that we’re very proud of and really leaning into our relationship with Zaha Hadid and her legacy as a part of this anniversary celebration.”

On Nov. 16 from 6 to 8 p.m., the museum is hosting ‘An Evening with Craig Kiner of Zaha Hadid Architects Stanley and Selma Hollander Distinguished Lecture Series.' The lecture series will discuss the process and inspiration behind the architecture and design of the building. Keynote speaker Craig Kiner will be joined by Assistant Curator Rachel Winter. 

“This is a really special opportunity to hear from someone who has intimate knowledge of the whole process in which the building came to fruition,” Bridges said.

On Nov. 20 from 1 to 2 p.m., Winter will be hosting a walkthrough of the exhibit ‘Zaha Hadid Design: Untold,’ a deep dive into the building’s architect’s life and work.'

Bridges said that these events pose an opportunity to learn from Hadid’s life story.

“They're incredible lessons for all of us, truly," Bridges said. "But certainly, here at Michigan State University, there's important lessons to be offered and provided for students, faculty, researchers, across campus in many different ways.”