About Us
The Museum and Art Collections (MAC) is the official museum of North Dakota State University. Unlike a typical museum, MAC is not limited to a particular time period or theme but curates and displays a variety of objects. Our collections are vast and can be found on campus. The concept for this museum can be summarized through the word “portals.” The portal concept refers to the way that this museum and the website has been designed so that everything is dynamic rather than static.
The collections showcased travel through both time—past, present, and future—and through space—being found all across NDSU’s campus and beyond. The purpose of these portals is to eliminate the physical boundaries of the museum and allow for “museum experiences” to happen anywhere and at any time.
Museum History
Removing Physical Boundaries
The NDSU Museum and Collections (MAC) officially began production in 2024 with the founding principle that NDSU’s museum would represent the unique and varied collections that existed across campus. The founding team thought it was important that there were places on campus where the diversity of research, history, exploration, and wonder could be properly showcased, thus giving rise to MAC.
As one travels through the website and through NDSU’s museum, they will move through both space and time to experience a multitude of collections in way that few museums offer. This museum has removed the physical boundaries of an enclosed building where a singular museum experience can be found and instead has brought the museum experience to various places. As the collections showcase objects from all parts of time—past, present, and future—so too do the portals spread across space on NDSU’s campus and surrounding areas.
Inclusion
A key part of our mission is inclusion. MAC proudly partners with student fellows who play a vital role in curating and maintaining the museum's collections. Their involvement ensures that the museum remains vibrant and connected to the student body, contributing fresh perspectives and ongoing research to our ever-growing collection.
The founding principles and values of MAC continue to shape its vision, with a commitment to accessibility, inclusion, and a deep respect for the histories and cultures represented within its collections.