Donate
A Letter from the Director
Dear Friends,
Dear Friends,
For nearly 80 years, the South Bend Museum of Art has connected people with art—creating opportunities to experience exhibitions, learn and make in our studios, support artists, and discover new ways of seeing the world around us.
Today, SBMA is entering one of the most exciting and consequential chapters in our history. As we prepare to celebrate our 80th anniversary in 2027 and thoughtfully plan for our future, we have the opportunity to imagine what the South Bend Museum of Art can become for the next 50 years.
As a free museum, your support makes possible what happens here every day: compelling exhibitions, vibrant studios and classes, arts education, opportunities for artists, community partnerships, and free access to the visual arts.
Your gift today supports the SBMA you know and love while helping build the Museum our community deserves for generations to come.
Be part of what comes next. Invest in the power of art and the future of SBMA.
With gratitude,
Lisa M. Shaffer, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Ways To Give
Watercolor painting of Century Center – Schutz
Donations and Sponsorship
Your annual support assures that SBMA continues to offer quality programs, engaging exhibitions and strengthens our permanent collection. The arts are essential to a thriving community. Thank you for your support.
Donating to SBMA’s Permanent Collection
SBMA develops and cares for its permanent collection through generous donations from individuals and organizations. The museum primarily collects American art made in the 20th and 21st century, with a focus on artists who have played a significant role in the artistic culture of our region and the Midwest.
If you are an artist, collector, or dealer considering donating artwork to the museum, please submit an initial inquiry using the form below. Curatorial staff review initial inquiries every 60 days. If the artwork fits within the scope and mission of the collection, a curator will contact you to discuss next steps. For additional information about the process, please see FAQs below. If you have difficulty with the form or have further questions, please email info@southbendart.org.
Please do not send or bring original artworks to the museum; the museum cannot return artworks to senders.
Frequently Asked Questions
To begin reviewing a donation, we need images of the artwork(s), basic information about the work (artist’s name, title of work, date of work, medium, and dimensions), and information about how and when it was acquired. Any additional information is appreciated. If you are an artist submitting your own work for consideration, please also include a biography, CV, artist’s statement, website address, and selected copies of press materials.
Proposed acquisitions are carefully researched by curators and then reviewed by both the collections committee and the full board. This process can take from several months to one year.
Caring for works of art takes resources–staffing, storage, conservation, insurance, and long-term care. To be accepted, an artwork must fill a gap in the collection, align with the mission of SBMA, and/or be of historical significance.
Donations of artwork to SBMA’s collection are tax deductible. For more information, consult the IRS guide on Noncash Charitable Contributions and/or a tax professional.
SBMA staff cannot authenticate or appraise works of art. To find a certified appraiser, consult the Appraisers Association of America, International Society of Appraisers, or American Society of Appraisers.
Visit the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s website for helpful guidance about researching works of art and caring for your collection.