In Notre Dame's earlier years priests and brothers would patrol
sections of downtown South Bend and drag students back to campus
from areas deemed detrimental to their development.
Now the University has its own facility in the heart of the
city.
Notre Dame Downtown opened in late October at 217 S. Michigan
St. in a storefront that was once part of Robertson's department
store. It's located across the street from the State Theatre and
a few doors north of the landmark Dainty Maid Bake Shop.
The leased space houses Notre Dame's Office of Community Relations,
an art gallery and a studio for Notre Dame architecture students.
Also, Downtown South Bend Inc., a nonprofit economic development
group, has offices in the space.
Roberto Gutierrez, vice president for public affairs and communication,
called the space an ideal location to "enhance and develop collaborative
programs that will strengthen our ties to the South Bend community."
That was already happening with the architecture school's Urban
Studio, established in 1999. The studio allows students to interact
with design professionals and community leaders and to contribute
to the urban evolution of South Bend.
The facility's Crossroads Gallery, operated by the Snite Museum
of Art, Institute for Latino Studies and Department of Art, Art
History and Design, aims to showcase art as a community outreach
tool.
Director of Community Relations Jackie Rucker '83 works from
the facility, serving as a liaison to local and regional groups
and coordinating the University's involvement in the development
of neighborhoods that surround campus.
Earlier last year the Latino Studies institute opened a separate
outpost three blocks south of campus on Notre Dame Avenue. The
space serves as an art studio and provides office and classroom
space in support of community outreach initiatives.
One of those is the Young Artists Workshop, which gives talented
middle- and secondary-school art students an opportunity to interact
with staff and graduate students from the Snite Museum, art department
and Latino Studies institute as well as learn about career opportunities
in the visual arts.
(January 2004)
