MEDIA ADVISORY

ANN ARBOR—The University of Michigan website “Montage” highlights the latest news and features about the arts, culture, creative endeavors, collaborative projects and upcoming events. This week’s top arts-and-culture features include:

• The future of art museums: The potential impact might not be so farfetched: In a matter of several years, Google Art Project could have the type of effect on the international art museum world and cultural literacy comparable to what “googling” has meant for Internet searchers—a greater access to information and broader understanding of the connection among cultures.

  On Friday, April 19, the U-M Museum of Art joins a list of many of the most renowned international art museums participating in the Google Art Project, an online virtual journey to a front-row seat to some of the most fascinating artworks in the world. The project, which was launched two years ago, has grown from about a dozen museums to more than 150 museums in 40 countries. More than 40,000 high-resolution objects are available for viewing.

• Conversation about race: On Thursday, April 18, NPR’s Michele Norris will host a town-hall discussion about race. The meeting will be held at Rackham Auditorium and features an exhibit of “race cards” circulated on campus during the past month. On the cards are six-word responses reflecting respondents’ views on race. U-M is the first university in the country to participate in Norris’ Race Card Project. Information: www.lsa.umich.edu/themesemester
• Hopeful amid despair: The U-M Department of Musical Theatre closes out the 2012-2013 season with a well-loved musical classic, “Crazy for You,” featuring the music and lyrics of George and Ira Gershwin. The musical plays April 18-21 at the Power Center for the Performing Arts in Ann Arbor.
• Histories: Personal & Universal: Retrospective of international artist El Anatsui at the U-M Museum of Art through May 5. The Ghanaian-born El Anatsui, who lives and works in Nigeria, is widely known for monumental wall sculptures made from discarded bottle tops, and is recognized as one of the most original and compelling artists of his generation.
• Innovative course on creative process: U-M’s Stephen Rush and faculty members from the College of Engineering, Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, and Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning are helping undergraduate students tap into their creativity through the highly popular and acclaimed Creative Process course.

For information, visit www.montage.umich.edu.