Michael Burton
Associate Professor - Director VR Sandbox - Director Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery- Fellow in the Center for Digital Research in the Humanities
Department of Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Contact
- Address
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GNHS 220A
Lincoln NE 68583-0802 - Phone
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5085244078
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mburton4@unl.edu
- Website
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Michael Burton Art and Design
- Social Media
Michael works at the intersection of digital design, VR, and maker culture—building spaces and projects where art, technology, and innovation converge. Whether he’s designing immersive environments, producing animated films, or developing maker-centered learning spaces, his focus is always on helping students build technical fluency and creative habits that spark new ideas.
He teaches 3D modeling, Virtual Reality development, digital design, and project-based courses that integrate both digital and analog fabrication. As director of the VR Sandbox, he helps shape the college’s technology strategy—expanding facilities, training student managers, and partnering with faculty across disciplines to bring XR into classrooms and studios.
Students in his courses regularly work at Nebraska Innovation Studio to fabricate designs using 3D printers and laser cutters, with many continuing into internships or graduate projects utilizing the facilities. Michael has also facilitated workshops at NIS, bringing in guest instructors for long-arm quilt and animation sessions, connecting students with diverse creative practices.
Through these efforts, Michael empowers students to turn ideas into tangible experiences, bridging innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning.
Education
2000 - BFA - Green Mountaion College
2007 - MFA - Fine Art - University of Nebraska Lincoln
Areas of Expertise
- Virtual Reality
- Art and Technology
- Digital Fashion
- Animation
- 3D modeling
- Screen printing
Current Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
- Virtual Threads - A Virtual Reality study exploring how CLO3D, a 3D garment design and simulation software, fosters student creativity and learning in the recreation of historical master study garments. Upper-level undergraduates selected historical images, conducted research, and digitally recreated the garments depicted in the image, culminating in a VR exhibition.
Current Leadership
- Director of CEHS VR Sandbox, overseeing technology strategy, facility growth, student-manager training, and cross-disciplinary faculty partnerships to integrate XR into teaching, research, and creative practice.
- Director of the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, overseeing exhibitions, gallery operations, student management, donor and public engagement, and long-range planning.
Selected Solo & Group Art Exhibitions
- 2025 Storytellers (group) - Durham Museum, Omaha, NE
- 2022 Art Struct (group) – Vero Beach Museum of Art, Vero Beach, FL
- 2021 Floor of the Sky (solo) - Kiechel Fine Art, Lincoln, NE
- 2020 Nebraska Now; Anna (solo) - Museum of Nebraska Art Kearney, NE
- 2015 Art Seen (group) - Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
- 2011 Blink! Light, Sound and the Moving Image (group) -Denver Art Museum Denver, CO
- 2010 The Moving Image (group) - RISD Art Museum, Providence, RI
Selected Film Festivals
- 2024 Phoenix Film Festival, Phoenix, AZ
- 2024 Omaha Film Festival, Omaha, NE
- 2022 Prince George’s Film Festival, Bowie, MD
- 2019 Hip Hop Film Festival (juried) Harlem, NY.
- 2018 Virginia Film Festival (juried) Charlottesville, VA
- 2018 New Media Film Festival (juried) Los Angeles, CA.
Honors and Recognition
- Best Animation (Best in Category)- Prince George's Film Festival
- Best in Animation Category - New Media Film Festival
- CEHS Distinguished Research and Creative Activity Award
- Dudziak Prize for Legal History - Anna film
- NUtech Creative Works of the Year Award
- Distinguished Filmmaker Nebraska Arts Council
- Best in Show (2008)- Sioux City Art Center