Marsha MacDowell

Marsha MacDowell is a Professor in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design at Michigan State University (MSU) and serves as Curator at the MSU Museum. She holds a B.F.A, M.F.A., and Ph.D. from MSU. Her roles include coordinating the Michigan Traditional Arts Program, founding the Great Lakes Folk Festival, and co-founding the MSU Museum Studies program. She has curated over 30 exhibitions globally, including at the Smithsonian Institution and the Nelson Mandela Museum.

Her research focuses on quilting traditions, folk art, and cultural heritage preservation. Notable projects include the Quilt Index, a digital repository, and international collaborations like the Ubuntutu quilt tributes to Desmond and Leah Tutu. She has led educational initiatives such as the Folkpatterns youth program and served on boards including the American Folklore Society and the American Quilt Study Group.

Her work bridges art, education, and community engagement, emphasizing inclusive practices and global cultural exchange. Recent research explores quilts’ roles in health, aging, and social justice. She has advised numerous museum partnerships and contributed to exhibitions highlighting marginalized communities’ artistic contributions.