Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks

New exhibition opens February 7, 2026 at the KIA

The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts (KIA) is thrilled to present the groundbreaking exhibition Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks from February 7 through June 7, 2026, for the very first time in West Michigan! This exhibition isn’t just a showcase of footwear design, it’s about creating a space where the community can interact and engage with forward thinking ideas centered around a medium we often think of as practical.

This innovative national exhibition features nearly 60 state-of-the-art designs pushing the boundaries of what footwear can be. Exhibiting an incredible mix of fashion, design, gaming, new media, architecture, and material arts as well as sustainable and collaborative practices, the exhibition showcases work by designers as diverse as Rem D. Koolhaas and Zaha Hadid, innovators Mr. Bailey and Salehe Bembury, as well as designs made in collaboration with fashion icons Rick Owens, Stella McCartney, and Yohji Yamamoto, and top gaming and innovation companies such as PlayStation, Gravity Sketch, and more.

“Future Now is a natural fit for Kalamazoo—a community that champions creativity, education, entrepreneurship, and making. We’re bringing sneakers into the museum because they are art: objects that tell our stories through design, engineering, and how we move through the world. Together with educators, makers, and design leaders, we’ll transform the KIA into a place where innovation, sustainability, and culture come together.”
Future Now features sections exploring Innovative, Sustainable, Transformative, and Virtual shoes. Exhibition highlights include the self-lacing Nike MAG (first conceived for the movie Back to the Future Part II), digitally designed and 3D-printed shoes, sneakers made from mushroom leather and reclaimed ocean plastics, virtual footwear, and more.

To learn more about Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks visit kiarts.org/futurenow
—
The exhibition is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.

Sponsorship Opportunities for Future Now
Sponsoring Future Now gives you an opportunity to bring this one-of-a-kind exhibition to West Michigan for the very first time. Sponsors receive both prominent recognition and special invitations to experience the exhibition. At the KIA we believe that Art is for Everyone, and in sponsoring Future Now you help make that a reality. Click here to view the sponsorship packet.

Programs and Events for Future Now
The KIA will offer learning opportunities for all ages through Museum Education Programming and the Kirk Newman Art School:
ArtBreaks: Lunchtime programming with exhibit and museum focused lectures and experiences.
Artful Evenings: A monthly gathering tied to the exhibition led by artists with interactive workshops.
Wonder Walks: A chance for young children to engage with art.
Book Discussions: Monthly free book discussion focused on art and exhibit related books.
Art Detectives: A monthly gathering where Arty the Art Detective guides young learners through reading, making, and looking!

There will also be special programming, including Family Nights, Community Days, Film Screenings, a Silent Disco, a Book Swap, and more! Click here to learn more about events and programming.

About the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts

Since 1924, the KIA has offered its visitors the opportunity to enjoy and create art. The KIA’s permanent collection holds more than 4,600 objects across a wide spectrum of media, and the museum  presents 10-15 exhibitions annually in its ten galleries. In addition to its exhibition spaces, the museum houses the KIA Gallery Shop, which sells pieces by international artisans and local and regional artists, a multi-media auditorium, a publicly accessible library, an interactive children’s gallery, and the Kirk Newman Art School (KNAS). KNAS has nurtured the creative passions of tens of thousands of students around the region, state, and beyond, annually welcoming more than 3,400 enrollments. Students of all ages engage with our talented and committed faculty as a part of an exciting fine arts curriculum that includes ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, drawing/painting, printmaking, fiber, photography, glass fusing and enrichment program.

Expanded offerings, collaborations, and outreach will celebrate 100 years of excellence in the arts and bring the KIA’s unparalleled resources to a wider audience than ever before. These special initiatives will give back to the community in appreciation for 100 years of growth, and deepen the ability of all Kalamazooans to find joy, learn from one another, and grow. Through close listening and renewed creativity, the anniversary will illuminate the pathway for the Institute’s next 100 years. For more information, visit www.kiarts.org.