Levine Museum is leaving its uptown Charlotte home and pondering its next move
As one arts venue reopens in uptown, another is set to depart. Temporarily.
The Levine Museum of the New South will be leaving Three Wells Fargo on May 4, according to a recent news release.
A new location will be announced later in the year. It’s unclear whether the “museum without walls” will remain in uptown. It’s a shift in the uptown arts scene, which recently welcomed back the historic Carolina Theatre.
Since 2022, the Levine has operated its 6,000-square-foot space at 401 S. Tryon St. with free admission for patrons. It also occupied the space free of charge from Wells Fargo, stemming from a three-year rental agreement.
“Our time at 401 South Tryon has allowed us to engage with visitors in the heart of uptown Charlotte, introduce new traveling exhibits and continue telling the untold and unique stories of our community,” museum CEO Richard Cooper said in a statement.
New digs, new leadership, new goals
In the past three years, Levine has experienced a shift in location, leadership and programming.
The museum moved to Three Wells Fargo in 2022 after selling its longtime location at 200 E. Seventh St. to a New York-based development firm for $10.75 million.
The following year, Cooper became president and CEO of the museum, replacing Kathryn Hill who announced her retirement after leading the institute for six years.
At the same time, the museum said it wanted to shift back to its roots in terms of programming. Levine was created in 1991, hosting pop-ups in bank lobbies and mini exhibitions, earning the moniker a “museum without walls.” In 1996, it moved to Seventh Street and became more of a traditional museum.
But once the institution moved to Three Wells Fargo, it prioritized digital exhibits and walking tours, shifting back to making its exhibits accessible even if a patron didn’t visit the space.
Condé Nast Traveler, a luxury and lifestyle travel magazine, recently listed the museum as one of the best in North Carolina.
What’s next for the Levine Museum
The museum’s current exhibition, “Charlotte: Moving Forward, Looking Back,” will continue to run until May 4. The exhibit guides patrons through the city’s history from its Native American roots, through the European settlement and to the city we know today. And it’s still free.
The museum’s Brooklyn walking tour, which explores the historically Black neighborhood, will continue along with other digital programs.
The Levine encourages visitors to follow its social media accounts for updates.
“This move is an opportunity to engage with our community in new and meaningful ways, ensuring history remains accessible, relevant and impactful,” Cooper said.
This story was originally published April 1, 2025 at 11:02 AM.
