Lincoln Center on the Lake

This summer Northwestern University will begin transforming the area around the Block Museum. Upon project completion in 2015, our neighborhood will feature a Music and Arts Green, University Visitors Center, and spectacular new building for the Henry and Leigh Bienen School of Music with additional space for the School of Communication.

Lisa Corrin, the Block’s Ellen Philips Katz Director, envisions the project creating a “Lincoln Center on the lake,” as “prospective students and campus guests will enter the University by first passing through a precinct devoted to music, theater, film, and visual arts," she says. “This inspiring plan serves as a reminder of the significance of the arts to the Northwestern experience.”

As a result of the construction, the Block will temporarily store some objects from the Outdoor Sculpture Garden. In late May we will remove all of the sculptures to the east of the Museum, including the iconic Resting Leaf by Hans Arp and Interior Form by Henry Moore. In addition, on the west side of the Museum, we will place a protective covering over Arnaldo Pomodoro’s Constructed Cylinder and extracting Virginio Ferrari’s Prism in Two Elements.

The Block Museum apologizes for any difficulties you may encounter getting to our doors as a result of this construction project. Arts Circle Drive and the open air parking lot will be closed beginning June 18. Parking will still be available in the garage south of the Museum. Enter the garage on the right immediately after driving onto campus. Handicapped accessible parking is available in the lot northwest of the garage. After parking, proceed to one of the two pedestrian routes located at the northeast and northwest sides of the garage. Visitors parking in the handicapped-accessible spots will want to take the northwest route, which leads to a handicapped-accessible ramp that will bring you to the Museum entrance.

Remember that parking is free after 4 p.m. on weekdays and all day on weekends. For all other times, you will need to purchase a parking pass at the Museum in advance of your next visit or buy one at the University Parking Office, located at 1819 Hinman Avenue, before using the garage.

Click on our Visit section for a map.