South Bend Museum of Art to leave Century Center after nearly 50 years

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The South Bend Museum of Art will leave the Century Center after nearly five decades in the downtown convention center following a unanimous vote Thursday by the Civic Center Board of Managers.

The board approved a resolution giving the museum 36 months’ notice to vacate its space at the Century Center on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

The move comes as city and civic leaders consider what the future of Century Center could look like. The building has not undergone major renovations since it opened, and officials have discussed whether the current facility is capable of meeting South Bend’s needs for future conventions and events.

Jeff Jarneckle, executive director of Visit South Bend Mishawaka, said the upcoming 50th year anniversary provides an opportunity to pause consider the building’s long-term future.

“It doesn’t mean that there’s a bulldozer coming tomorrow or the next day or anytime soon,” he said.

For the near future, the Century Center will remain South Bend’s primary convention space. But the departure of the museum will eventually open about 40,000 square feet.

“That’ll be an opportunity for the Century Center to recognize about the 40,000 square feet that’s being used by the museum today that we’ll be able to use for meetings, conventions and events in the future as well,” Jarnecke said.

The museum does not charge admission and currently does not pay rent for its Century Center space, with the arrangement supported by the city.

Lisa Shaffer, executive director of the South Bend Museum of Art, said conversations about the future of the Century Center have been taking place for years.

“I didn’t quite expect how soon it would happen, but the conversations around the Century Center have been going on before COVID,” Shaffer said.

While the museum has three years to vacate, Shaffer said the organization is already looking ahead to what comes next, carrying on a legacy of almost 80 years of supporting local art in South Bend.

“I think the hardest thing probably will be deciding on what the answer is because there’ll be so many great ideas,” she said.

Shaffer said the museum hopes to remain in South Bend and continue its relationship with the city.