The South Bend Museum of Art features a full spectrum of historical and contemporary art featured in five galleries. A wide range of artistic traditions are taught in our world-class art studios. Located inside the Century Center in downtown South Bend, Indiana, the SBMA is an architectural delight. Designed by Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the museum occupies three levels in the northern wing of the building.
Mission
The South Bend Museum of Art affirms the enduring power of the visual arts to reflect and create community, engage minds, and nurture growth through exhibitions, collections and educational programs.
History
Since its founding in 1947, the SBMA has provided insight into the art, history and culture of the region and nation. Since 1987, SBMA has been recognized as achieving the highest level of professional standards in the field, awarded accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums. Accreditation status must be renewed every 10 years and, in March of 2011, SBMA was awarded ongoing accreditation. Accreditation inspires museums to achieve a higher standard. It strengthens the field as a whole, as well as the museums that receive accreditation. The rigorous process leads to sustained organizational improvement and a clearer sense of purpose. Of the estimated 17,500 museums in the U.S., only 750 are accredited.
CALL FOR ENTRIES: AROUND THE BEND 2026
DEADLINE: Friday March 27 at 11:59 pm EST. EXHIBITION DATES: May 23–August 23, 2026
ENTRY FEE: $10.00 (to support administrative and programming costs; reduced fee option available)
We invite artists to participate in Around the Bend 2026, the South Bend Museum of Art's celebration of the diverse and vibrant visual arts community in our region. The exhibition is open to artists of all levels, 18 years of age or older, residing in the following Indiana counties: Berrien, Cass, Elkhart, LaPorte, Marshall, Portage, Starke, and St. Joseph. Our goal is to include as many of our region’s artists as possible!
Each artist can submit up to three (3) artworks for consideration. Members of museum staff will select up to one (1) artwork by each artist. Artworks will be displayed salon style (floor to ceiling) in the Warner Gallery at SBMA. Selected artworks will be eligible for Community Choice Awards.
ELIGIBILITY
- Artists of all levels, 18 years of age or older, residing in the following Indiana counties: Berrien, Cass, Elkhart, LaPorte, Marshall, Portage, Starke, and St. Joseph.
- Artwork must have been completed in the past 2 years (2024‒present)
- Artwork cannot have been previously exhibited at the South Bend Museum of Art.
- Medium: Works in all media are eligible. Two-dimensional artworks (paintings, drawings, prints) can measure up to 16 square feet (4 ft x 4 ft) and weigh up to 100 pounds. Three-dimensional artworks (sculptures, installations) can measure up to 54 cubic feet (up to length of 3 ft. x width of 3 ft. x height of 6 ft.) and weigh up to 100 pounds. Time-based media and video artworks should be in the form of .mp4 files in H.264 format.
- Originality: Submissions must be original artworks of your own creation. Please do not submit the following: 1) Reproductions of your own art in another medium (e.g., an offset lithograph of your painting, or a "giclée" print of your watercolor). 2) Copies of works by other artists (e.g. a “master study” of a work, or part of a work, by another artist). 3) Artwork generated by AI. If you use AI as an important tool or as part of your work's conceptual framework, please explain in the "Additional Information" field on the submission form.
- See Conditions below for information about preparing your work for display and other logistics.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
All applications must be submitted via Submittable (you will be prompted to set up an account if you don't have one). The entry fee goes towards administrative and programming costs.
For each of your three (3) artworks, please submit:
- 1 to 2 high quality images (jpegs). Show the work in its entirety, in focus, and with good lighting. Images should be at least 1920 pixels on the longest side. Cellphone images are fine if they meet the above criteria. Time-based media/video artists may submit a still along with a Vimeo or YouTube link (and a password if needed).
- Complete information about each artwork: Title, year, media, and size (H x D x W inches)
- Insurance value for each artwork: This is equivalent to the artwork's fair market value–i.e. what you would expect to sell it for if it was for sale. Please note that the museum does not participate in or facilitate sales.
CONDITIONS
- Selected artwork should arrive at the museum prepared for display. Two-dimensional artwork should be framed or otherwise prepared for hanging, with appropriate hardware included (e.g. d-rings, wires, etc.) Three-dimensional artwork should include installation instructions and any needed hardware; SBMA will provide pedestals. Time-based media/video will be shown as looped, single-channel videos; SBMA will provide monitors and headphones. Any unusual or complex installation requirements must be arranged in writing between the artist and SBMA prior to the opening of the exhibition.
- Artists are responsible for arranging the delivery and pickup of artwork by the dates below, including all associated costs. Artworks cannot be removed from view during the duration of the exhibition.
- SBMA will insure the objects on loan while in custody of SBMA. Artists are responsible for insuring their artwork while in transit to and from the SBMA.
- SBMA curatorial staff is responsible for the selection of works and for the design and layout of the exhibition. SBMA reserves the right to reject artworks during onsite inspection by museum staff if the artwork contains materials that might pose a risk to the museum, its collections, its staff, and/or the public.
- Images of selected works may be used for marketing the exhibition.
IMPORTANT DATES
- Friday, March 27 by 11:59 pm EST: Deadline for entries.
- Wednesday, April 8 (no later than): E-mailed notification of acceptances sent to the email address associated with your Submittable account. If you still haven't received an email by the notification deadline, you can log in to your Submittable account and look for the "Messages" tab.
- Wednesday, April 29–Sunday, May 3: Delivery of your selected artwork to SBMA (11 am–4:30 pm weekdays, 12pm–4:30pm weekends).
- Saturday, May 23: Exhibition opens.
- Friday, June 5, 5–8 p.m. EST: First Friday Public Reception.
- Sunday, August 23: Exhibition closes
- Tuesday August 25–Monday August 31: Pickup of your selected artwork from SBMA (11 am–4:30 pm weekdays, 12pm–4:30pm weekends).
NOTIFICATIONS: The notification emails will come from Submittable and their messages can sometimes be identified as junk mail. Information on how to "safelist" the email address and add it to your contact list can be found here.
https://submittable.help/en/articles/3221476-how-can-i-safelist-notification-emails-from-submittable
FOR HELP WITH SUBMITTABLE, PLEASE SEE: https://submittable.help/en/collections/185534-help-for-applicants
FOR ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL: info@southbendart.org
Festival of Banners 2026
Our Ecosystem
The South Bend Museum of Art is proud to announce this year’s Festival of Banners Community Exhibition. The 2026 theme, Our Ecosystem, invites artists of all ages to explore and reflect on the rich natural environment of Northern Indiana.
From plants and animals to rivers, landforms, and landscapes, artists are encouraged to consider how the local ecosystem shapes daily life and how we, in turn, interact with and influence it. Participants are invited to ask: What is an ecosystem? How are we connected to our ecosystem? What elements of nature inspire and inform my work?
Through this exhibition, the Museum celebrates creative responses that highlight our shared relationship with the environment and the interconnected systems that sustain our community.
What Is Festival of Banners?
Festival of Banners is a community-based program and exhibition that invites local artists and creatives to design original banner artwork inspired by an annual theme. Selected designs are reproduced as large-scale banners and displayed throughout Downtown South Bend, bringing art into public spaces and celebrating local creativity.
The call for designs is open to the public and welcomes artists of all ages. Submissions are categorized as Youth, Teen, or Adult for judging purposes. Participation in the program is free
Submission Information
Artists must use the provided banner template when designing their work. Entries must adhere to the specified template dimensions in order to be considered. All submissions must be made digitally.
Submission Link: southbendart.submittable.com/submit Submissions Open: February 6, 2026 Submissions Close: May 15, 2026 Selected Entries Announced: June 8, 2026
Juror: Shirley Heinz Land Trust
Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has been dedicated to the preservation and restoration of significant natural areas throughout northwestern Indiana. Today, approximately 4,000 acres across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall, and Starke counties are permanently protected, and most of our nature preserves are open to the public to explore and enjoy. Through connecting individuals and communities to nature and building understanding and support for conservation, we are committed to preserving nature for the benefit of future generations.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
FORMAT:
digital image, photograph of a drawing
dimensions: 4.25 in wide x 10 in high
vertical designs only
The design must be 4.25 inches wide by 10 inches high. Please make design vertical. This format is necessary to project the drawing onto the banner. Your design should be considered finished artwork and colored in the manner you intend the larger design to be colored. Simple designs using bold, solid colors are the most effective. Remember, the finished accepted designs will be printed on a banner and hung on a street light in DTSB, you want viewers to be able to see the details from 9 -14 feet away.
No Entry Fee Required
All designs & entry forms must be submitted to the museum digitally no later than 11:00 pm, May 15, 2026.
*Please note: not all entries will be accepted. Children should be at least 5 years of age.
*Additionally, designs submitted in the wrong format and/or not responding to the theme will not be accepted.
Entries chosen by the jurors will reflect the wide diversity of community participants.
All banners will become the property of SBMA. However, participants can pick up their banners in mid October 2026. Banners will be stored on museum property for only 3 months, after which they will be discarded.
If you have any questions, please contact Curator of Education and Public Programming, Kolt Sizer at sizerk@southbendart.org
Festival of Banners 2026
Our Ecosystem
The South Bend Museum of Art is proud to announce this year’s Festival of Banners Community Exhibition. The 2026 theme, Our Ecosystem, invites artists of all ages to explore and reflect on the rich natural environment of Northern Indiana.
From plants and animals to rivers, landforms, and landscapes, artists are encouraged to consider how the local ecosystem shapes daily life and how we, in turn, interact with and influence it. Participants are invited to ask: What is an ecosystem? How are we connected to our ecosystem? What elements of nature inspire and inform my work?
Through this exhibition, the Museum celebrates creative responses that highlight our shared relationship with the environment and the interconnected systems that sustain our community.
What Is Festival of Banners?
Festival of Banners is a community-based program and exhibition that invites local artists and creatives to design original banner artwork inspired by an annual theme. Selected designs are reproduced as large-scale banners and displayed throughout Downtown South Bend, bringing art into public spaces and celebrating local creativity.
The call for designs is open to the public and welcomes artists of all ages. Submissions are categorized as Youth, Teen, or Adult for judging purposes. Participation in the program is free
Submission Information
Artists must use the provided banner template when designing their work. Entries must adhere to the specified template dimensions in order to be considered. All submissions must be made digitally.
Submission Link: southbendart.submittable.com/submit Submissions Open: February 6, 2026 Submissions Close: May 15, 2026 Selected Entries Announced: June 8, 2026
Juror: Shirley Heinz Land Trust
Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has been dedicated to the preservation and restoration of significant natural areas throughout northwestern Indiana. Today, approximately 4,000 acres across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall, and Starke counties are permanently protected, and most of our nature preserves are open to the public to explore and enjoy. Through connecting individuals and communities to nature and building understanding and support for conservation, we are committed to preserving nature for the benefit of future generations.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
FORMAT:
digital image, photograph of a drawing
dimensions: 4.25 in wide x 10 in high
vertical designs only
The design must be 4.25 inches wide by 10 inches high. Please make design vertical. This format is necessary to project the drawing onto the banner. Your design should be considered finished artwork and colored in the manner you intend the larger design to be colored. Simple designs using bold, solid colors are the most effective. Remember, the finished accepted designs will be printed on a banner and hung on a street light in DTSB, you want viewers to be able to see the details from 9 -14 feet away.
No Entry Fee Required
All designs & entry forms must be submitted to the museum digitally no later than 11:00 pm, May 15, 2026.
*Please note: not all entries will be accepted. Children should be at least 5 years of age.
*Additionally, designs submitted in the wrong format and/or not responding to the theme will not be accepted.
Entries chosen by the jurors will reflect the wide diversity of community participants.
All banners will become the property of SBMA. However, participants can pick up their banners in mid October 2026. Banners will be stored on museum property for only 3 months, after which they will be discarded.
If you have any questions, please contact Curator of Education and Public Programming, Kolt Sizer at sizerk@southbendart.org
Festival of Banners 2026
Our Ecosystem
The South Bend Museum of Art is proud to announce this year’s Festival of Banners Community Exhibition. The 2026 theme, Our Ecosystem, invites artists of all ages to explore and reflect on the rich natural environment of Northern Indiana.
From plants and animals to rivers, landforms, and landscapes, artists are encouraged to consider how the local ecosystem shapes daily life and how we, in turn, interact with and influence it. Participants are invited to ask: What is an ecosystem? How are we connected to our ecosystem? What elements of nature inspire and inform my work?
Through this exhibition, the Museum celebrates creative responses that highlight our shared relationship with the environment and the interconnected systems that sustain our community.
What Is Festival of Banners?
Festival of Banners is a community-based program and exhibition that invites local artists and creatives to design original banner artwork inspired by an annual theme. Selected designs are reproduced as large-scale banners and displayed throughout Downtown South Bend, bringing art into public spaces and celebrating local creativity.
The call for designs is open to the public and welcomes artists of all ages. Submissions are categorized as Youth, Teen, or Adult for judging purposes. Participation in the program is free
Submission Information
Artists must use the provided banner template when designing their work. Entries must adhere to the specified template dimensions in order to be considered. All submissions must be made digitally.
Submission Link: southbendart.submittable.com/submit Submissions Open: February 6, 2026 Submissions Close: May 15, 2026 Selected Entries Announced: June 8, 2026
Juror: Shirley Heinz Land Trust
Since 1981, Shirley Heinze Land Trust has been dedicated to the preservation and restoration of significant natural areas throughout northwestern Indiana. Today, approximately 4,000 acres across Lake, Porter, LaPorte, St. Joseph, Marshall, and Starke counties are permanently protected, and most of our nature preserves are open to the public to explore and enjoy. Through connecting individuals and communities to nature and building understanding and support for conservation, we are committed to preserving nature for the benefit of future generations.
SUBMISSION DETAILS
FORMAT:
digital image, photograph of a drawing
dimensions: 4.25 in wide x 10 in high
vertical designs only
The design must be 4.25 inches wide by 10 inches high. Please make design vertical. This format is necessary to project the drawing onto the banner. Your design should be considered finished artwork and colored in the manner you intend the larger design to be colored. Simple designs using bold, solid colors are the most effective. Remember, the finished accepted designs will be printed on a banner and hung on a street light in DTSB, you want viewers to be able to see the details from 9 -14 feet away.
No Entry Fee Required
All designs & entry forms must be submitted to the museum digitally no later than 11:00 pm, May 15, 2026.
*Please note: not all entries will be accepted. Children should be at least 5 years of age.
*Additionally, designs submitted in the wrong format and/or not responding to the theme will not be accepted.
Entries chosen by the jurors will reflect the wide diversity of community participants.
All banners will become the property of SBMA. However, participants can pick up their banners in mid October 2026. Banners will be stored on museum property for only 3 months, after which they will be discarded.
If you have any questions, please contact Curator of Education and Public Programming, Kolt Sizer at sizerk@southbendart.org
The South Bend Museum of Art accepts submission materials from artists, art organizations, community organizations, and curators. All submissions are reviewed by the museum’s Curatorial Staff quarterly in March, July, September, and January and are considered for all available opportunities.
All work must be framed, wired, and ready for display. Works on paper must be covered by glass or plexiglass. All hanging hardware must be appropriate to the size and weight of the work.
GALLERIES
There are 3 galleries at the SBMA available for changing exhibitions, each with its own focus. You will be asked which space is the most suitable for your work:
- Art League Gallery (approximately 1200 sq. ft.): Solo, two-person, and small group exhibitions.
- Project Room Gallery (approximately 110 sq. ft.) Solo or small group exhibitions of screen-based work. This small gallery space adjoins the Art League Gallery and is dedicated to new media, animations, video, etc., that can be played on a single screen. Equipment includes: Samsung 55″ 1080p flatscreen smart tv, Micca Spec G2 media player, Mac mini.
- Community Gallery (approximately 600 sq. ft.). For area community art organizations (see specific guidelines below)
Floorplans:
- The Art League Gallery (includes entrance into small rectilinear Project Room Space).
- Crowley Community Gallery
REQUIRED MATERIALS
- Up to 20 images and/or up to 3 video links;
- Artist Statement and Bio (no more than 500 words) -or- a Community Arts Organization mission statement and submitter bio (no more than 500 words);
- Artist CV (for Community Organizations, please submit a document outlining your organization's mission and relation to the arts, including recent exhibitions or art-related projects)
- A Mission Connection statement that describes how your exhibition idea relates to our mission, including any programming activities that might include our Collections, Exhibitions, and Education Departments at SBMA. You'll also be asked how your exhibition idea engages the diverse communities of South Bend and the surrounding region.
- For Community Organizations: see additional guidelines below.
COMMUNITY GALLERY GROUP PROPOSALS
All artwork coming into the South Bend Museum of Art will be chosen by a jury process or curatorial selection. Any exception to this must be approved by Curatorial Staff. In no case will any entrant to any exhibition be guaranteed acceptance of one or more pieces.
All juried shows will have a juror who is a non-member and non-affiliated of the exhibiting group. In the case that a local organization is part of a national affiliate, a national member may be a juror. The South Bend Museum of Art reserves the right to have final approval of the juror and must be informed of the juror before an agreement with the juror is formed.
The date for jurying should be set in accordance with installation timelines. The site of the jurying will be determined by SBMA staff and will take place within one or two days following the close of the previous show. Only the juror, a group representative assisting in the jurying process, and SBMA staff may be present during the jurying process. All handling of artwork will be the responsibility of the SBMA staff.
Entry Criteria and Prospectus
- Work previously shown in the South Bend Museum of Art is not eligible for exhibition.
- Work must have been completed within three (3) years prior to the date of the exhibition.
- All work must be framed, wired, and ready for display. Works on paper must be covered by glass or plexiglass. All hanging hardware must be appropriate to the size and weight of the work.
The SBMA reserves the right to refuse any work that does not meet the criteria.
The SBMA Offers partial and full scholarships for studio classes. Scholarship applications should be submitted no later than two weeks before the start of the class session. Any applications turned in after that time may be considered for the following session if funding is available. Scholarship Applicants will be notified via email no later than the week before the start of classes.
*Applicants will be asked to submit a 1040 Individual tax return form. Link to form: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f1040.pdf
All Youth class tuition includes tools and supplies. Adult class tuition does not include tools and supplies.
Limit one scholarship a year per applicant. Applying for a scholarship does not guarantee acceptance. Each application will be reviewed by the executive director, Lisa Shaffer.
South Bend Museum of Art, Art Instructor/Teaching Artist Application
Responsibilities
Provide in-person instruction to students (ages 6-adult) enrolled in art classes in a particular medium (ceramics, drawing, painting, mixed-media, sculpture, photography, or other artistic field of study.
Design and conduct art curriculum in collaboration/ approval with the Education Department at SBMA under the supervision of Curator of Education and Studio Programs, Katie Neece.
Prepare and maintain a successful and efficient classroom environment.
Prepare learning materials to promote and encourage interest and successful learning outcomes.
Explain and demonstrate artistic techniques.
Establish a safe, inclusive, and respectful learning environment for a diverse population of students. Minimum Qualifications Expertise in the media being presented, to include experience in teaching youth and/or adults; ability to communicate effectively and develop positive relationships with people from different cultural backgrounds; innovation/creativity in artistic area; energetic. dependable and flexible; collaborative work style; ability to think critically and solve problems; ability to work a varied schedule, including evenings and weekends as necessary; good communication skills. Preferred Qualifications Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (BFA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or equivalent experience teaching or instructing in the field in a studio setting. Applicants are welcome to apply. We value diverse perspectives and encourage individuals with a genuine interest in the role to submit their applications. Other Position Details:
- Does not supervise others
- Position will not drive CC vehicles
- Correspondence with students and Education Dept. via email
- Does not receive an SBMA email address
- Instructors will be subject to a background check upon hiring
Application Instructions:
- Continuous Recruitment - depending on availability apply by: open until filled
- This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
- Required: Please submit a PDF including artist bio, CV and 3 images of work or a link to your website to be considered, along with a proposal for the class you would like to teach (please include age group, media, and subject matter).
Instructor Pay:
- All instructors are paid $28 per contact hour (adult studio classes run 3 hours, youth + teen classes run typically for 2 hours).
- There are no full-time teaching positions available for teaching at SBMA.
- Teaching positions are on a part-time, contract basis per session.
- Instructors can teach up to 3 classes max per session, with approval from the Education Department.
What We Offer: Use of open studio space free of charge, discounts taking classes, opportunities to participate in community art shows: Student Faculty Show and Aloft Hotel art show, and workshops.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:
The South Bend Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. We believe in fostering a workplace that values diverse perspectives and experiences, which enriches our work and strengthens our community.
Questions? Please contact Katie Neece, Curator of Education and Studio Programs: neecek@southbendart.org