Speak up, Charlotte: The Levine Museum wants your opinion on its new South End home
The Levine Museum of the New South wants you to help design its new home in South End.
On Thursday, March 19, the museum is hosting an interactive event where participants can see and offer their opinions on proposed designs for the museum’s new digs at 1800 South Blvd., the former Grace Covenant Church.
In January, the Levine announced its purchase of two buildings from the church for $7.5 million, signaling that the 35-year-old museum had found its new permanent location.
In 2022, the museum sold its first home at 200 E. Seventh St. to a New York-based development firm for $10.75 million. It then entered a three-year rental agreement with Wells Fargo, free of charge, at 401 S. Tryon St.
It left that space last May.
Now, the museum is heading to South End. But first it needs a design.
Help design the Levine Museum
Starting at 6:30 p.m., the Levine will welcome participants to an interactive space at VAPA Center on N. Tryon Street.
There will be eight stations with design options for exhibitions, education and community spaces. Along the way, participants can interact with staff on the proposed designs.
There will also be a youth activity station for children. The event will go on until 8:30 p.m.
About The Levine Museum of the New South
It’s unclear when the space in South End will be completed.
But the permanent move to South End will be a moment of stability for the museum, which in the last four years has seen a shift in location, leadership and programming.
The Levine was created in 1991 as a “museum without walls.” It hosted pop-ups in bank lobbies and mini exhibitions. But when it moved to Seventh Street it became more of a traditional museum.
In 2023, Richard Cooper became president and CEO of the museum, replacing Kathryn Hill, who announced her retirement after leading the institute for six years. Once the museum moved to Three Wells Fargo, it went back to its roots prioritizing digital exhibits and walking tours.
As visitors wait for the new space digs to open, the Levine’s pop-ups and walking tours are still ongoing.
Check out the Levine’s calendar for future events.
