The Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series at the University of Michigan

The Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series brings respected leaders and innovators from a broad spectrum of creative fields to the historic Michigan Theater in Ann Arbor. Events take place Thursdays at 5:30 PM unless otherwise noted, and are free, non-ticketed, and open to the public.

In partnership with Detroit Public Television and PBS Books, each week’s events will be released online the following Friday at 8pm on this page, and on the Penny Stamps Series Facebook page for on-demand viewing. Some programs may not be available online, depending on artist requests.

Watch Past Penny Stamps Episodes


Fall 2024 Season

Ty Jeffries | Miss Hope Springs

Nayland Blake | Tear Down Our Walls

Fernando Laposse | Design for Rural Reality

Guadalupe Maravilla | Sound As Medicine

Emil Ferris | If Your Favorite Thing is Monsters

Irma Boom | Boom Books

John Collins & Scott Shepherd with Tom Sellar | Elevator Repair Service

Pablo Helguera, Jenna Bednar, Philippa Hughes, Lexa Walsh | Radical Conversations

Fred Wilson | The Silent Message of the Museum

Kelly Church | Sustaining Traditions

Phranc | PhrancTalk

Spring 2024 Season

Kelli Anderson | The Hidden Talents of Everyday Things

Artemio Rodríguez | Skeletons’ Riot

CW&T | House of Make

Lynn Hershman Leeson | BIO-DOT-BOT: Lynn Hershman Leeson Shorts

Fall 2023 Season


About the Penny Stamps Distinguished Speaker Series

Established with the generous support of alumna Penny W. Stamps (1944−2018), the Penny Stamps Speaker Series brings respected leaders and innovators from a broad spectrum of creative fields to Ann Arbor to conduct weekly public lectures and engagements.

Design professional, arts advocate, philanthropist, and friend Penny W. Stamps dedicated herself to elevating opportunities for the culture-makers of tomorrow. In 2012, the U‑M Board of Regents named the School of Art & Design in her honor, creating the Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design at the University of Michigan. The Stamps Gallery and Stamps Creative Work Awards are also named in her honor.

Learn more about the Penny Stamps Series