SOUTH BEND, Ind. (WSBT) — The countdown for the South Bend Museum of Art to find a new home has officially begun.
On Thursday, the Civic Center Board of Managers approved a resolution that the museum’s lease at the Century Center will expire in 3 years.
The museum will soon start the search to leave the space they’ve been in for nearly 50 years.
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The museum’s executive director said that while it’s bittersweet. Discussions about the future of the museum have been ongoing before Thursday’s vote and now they can explore every opportunity for the future.
“Where do we see ourselves? How does 50 years from now look,” asked Lisa Shaffer, SBMOA Exec Director.
Those questions are being asked by leadership at the South Bend Museum of Art as they begin searching for a new home.
The search will be a collaborative effort by the museum, the City of South Bend and Century Center officials.
On Thursday, the Civic Center Board of Managers approved a resolution that the museum’s lease at the Century Center will expire in 3 years. (WSBT photo)
While executive director Lisa Shaffer says leaving the Century Center is a new challenge. Their new home could provide big opportunities to upgrade what they offer.
“Having a larger ceramic studio, upping the game in the professionalism of our current 2D studios, and we have a metal studio and a photography studio. So, anything that we can do to bring those into the 21st century would be of great value five decades from now,” said Shaffer.
Century Center leaders say, while it is not an easy decision, it allows them to explore every iteration of the space and how best to grow with downtown South Bend.
On Thursday, the Civic Center Board of Managers approved a resolution that the museum’s lease at the Century Center will expire in 3 years. (WSBT photo)
“We had presented to both the Civic Center Board of Managers, to the City of South Bend, and to the Hotel Motel Tax Board of St. Joseph County options that included going from demolition all the way up to $100 million infusion of capital into this space, and so really there are endless options before us,” said Jeff Jarnecke, Visit South Bend Mishawaka Exec Director.
With around half a billion dollars being invested in downtown South Bend with new housing and businesses officials say it’s the perfect time to make sure the two entities are as successful as possible.
“We’re at a point, I think, a juncture where all of our civic entities are financially struggling a bit, and right now is a good time to kind of re-envision and reimagine what the future may look like, both for the Century Center and the Art Museum,” said Troy Warner.
Officials emphasize that Thursday’s vote does not set any new location or plan for the museum or Century Center right now and discussions between all parties will be ongoing to find the best path forward.
The museum and its programming will stay at its current location for the next three years.