When the Eugene Coltrane Art Building (1971) was renovated in 1989 to become the Coltrane Commons, the Sims Student Union became the Sims Art Center.  The building was named in honor of Allen H. Sims, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at that time, and in memory of his two sons, Albert Harold Sims and Rufus David Sims.

The Sims Art Center has:

• Art studios
• Exhibition galleries (Holds exhibitions of student, faculty, and guest artists) 
• A sculpture garden links Sims Art Center with the Porter Center for Performing Arts.