[6] The museum opened in the fall of 1980, consolidating the adjacent O'Shaughnessy Hall Galleries and the studio of sculptor Ivan Meštrović with the new structure.

[citation needed] With the donation in 2018 of funds from lead benefactors Ernestine Raclin and her daughter and son-in-law Carmen and Chris Murphy, enabled the construction of the new Museum complex built in two phases on the south edge of campus.

A private donation by Charles S. Hayes made possible the creation of a public space for reflection, contemplation, and enjoyment of nature and art.

Reopened in 2017, the Charles B. Hayes Family Sculpture Park was designed by American landscape architect Michael Van Valkenburgh on an eight-acre site at the south edge of the Notre Dame campus.

A part of the Museum's permanent collection, the twelve sculptures in the park are by national and international artists, including Wing Generator by Richard Hunt.