Cleveland Museum of Art
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
THE MISSION OF THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART (CMA) IS TO FULFILL ITS DUAL ROLES AS ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST DISTINGUISHED COMPREHENSIVE ART MUSEUMS AND AS ONE OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO'S PRINCIPAL CIVIC AND CULTURAL INSTITUTIONS. THE MUSEUM, ESTABLISHED IN 1913 "FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL THE PEOPLE FOREVER," * SEEKS TO BRING THE PLEASURE AND MEANING OF ART TO THE BROADEST POSSIBLE AUDIENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE HIGHEST AESTHETIC, INTELLECTUAL AND PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS. TOWARD THIS END THE MUSEUM AUGMENTS, PRESERVES, EXHIBITS AND FOSTERS UNDERSTANDING OF THE OUTSTANDING COLLECTIONS OF WORLD ART IT HOLDS IN TRUST FOR THE PUBLIC AND PRESENTS COMPLEMENTARY EXHIBITIONS AND PROGRAMS. THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART EMBRACES ITS LEADERSHIP ROLE IN COLLECTING, SCHOLARSHIP, EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICE. (* J.H. WADE II, ACT OF CONVEYANCE OF LAND TO BE USED FOR THE CMA.)
- Income
- $84.4 million
- Spending
- $106.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 83%
- Reserves
- 6.1 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 58%
- Employees
- 634
- Volunteers
- 437
- Highest pay
- $1.7 million, dir & president
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Fair: 63 out of 100. Higher than 33% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 6.1 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 9% of what it owns.
Living within its means
0 of 15Spending exceeded income by 27% of income.
Income trend
0 of 15Income fell 35% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1583% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 12 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 34% of charities in its peer group (arts and culture, $10m to $100m).
Independent board
25 of 2538 of 40 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (5)
- $38.3 million spent. THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART PRESENTS MAGNIFICENT ART FROM AROUND THE WORLD. CENTRAL TO THE MISSION OF THE MUSEUM IS THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF ITS ART COLLECTION. THE MUSEUM'S HOLDINGS OF WORLD ART ARE INTERNATIONALLY CELEBRATED AND A GREAT SOURCE OF PRIDE FOR THE CLEVELAND COMMUNITY AND MUSEUM FIELD, EACH YEAR DRAWING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VISITORS FROM THE REGION AND BEYOND. THE GROWTH OF THE COLLECTIONS IS GUIDED BY A PHILOSOPHY THAT FAVORS QUALITY OVER QUANTITY AND PRIVILEGES THE SINGULAR OBJECT OVER BROAD COVERAGE IN ANY GIVEN FIELD. THE MUSEUM'S ENDOWMENT HOLDS ONE OF THE LARGEST ACQUISITION FUNDS OF ANY ART MUSEUM IN THE COUNTRY. EACH YEAR, THIS FUND PRODUCES INCOME UPON WHICH OUR CURATORS, DIRECTOR, AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES DRAW TO ACQUIRE NEW WORKS OF ART, THUS ENSURING THAT OUR COLLECTIONS REMAIN A DYNAMIC AND CONSTANTLY EVOLVING RESOURCE FOR OUR VISITORS. APPROXIMATELY 300 WORKS OF ART ARE ACQUIRED PER YEAR.
- $13.1 million spent. THE ORGANIZATION, SECURITY, PRESERVATION, RESEARCH, AND PRESENTATION OF OUR COLLECTIONS ARE SUPPORTED BY THE WORK OF THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTIONS MANAGEMENT, CONSERVATION, CURATORIAL, EDUCATION, LIBRARY, DESIGN, AND EXHIBITIONS STAFF. OUR COLLECTIONS ARE ON VIEW IN STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES AND WITH GALLERY SPACE THAT ALLOWS FOR THE DISPLAY OF MORE WORKS FROM OUR COLLECTIONS THAN EVER BEFORE. NEW EXHIBITION SPACES FURTHER AUGMENT OUR ABILITY TO CONNECT AUDIENCES WITH WORKS OF ART. IN ADDITION TO COMPLEMENTING THE COLLECTIONS, THE SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS PRESENTED AT THE MUSEUM EXTEND INTO THOSE HISTORIC PERIODS, GEOGRAPHIC AREAS, OR MEDIA THAT ARE ABSENT FROM OR NOT WELL REPRESENTED IN OUR COLLECTIONS. COLLECTING CENTRAL TO THE MISSION OF THE MUSEUM IS THE CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF ITS ART COLLECTION. THE COLLECTION IS CONSIDERED A SELECTIVE SURVEY OF THE HISTORY OF ART PRESENTED WITH WORKS OF THE HIGHEST AESTHETIC QUALITY AND HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE. PARTICULARLY NOTABLE IS THE MUSEUM'S COMPREHENSIVE, DISTINGUISHED ASIAN ART COLLECTION AS WELL AS ITS ANCIENT ART, MEDIEVAL EUROPEAN ART AND PRE-COLUMBIAN HOLDINGS. CONSERVING IN THE MUSEUM'S CONSERVATION LABS, YOU WILL FIND CONSERVATORS WITH SPECIALIZATIONS RANGING FROM PAINTINGS TO SCULPTURE, ANTIQUITIES TO CONTEMPORARY ART, AND MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPTS TO TAPESTRIES TO ASIAN FOLDING SCREENS. THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE ACADEMIC BACKGROUNDS THAT INCLUDE ART HISTORY, STUDIO ART, AND CHEMISTRY AS WELL AS ADVANCED EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN THE CONSERVATION OF ART AND HISTORIC COLLECTIONS. THEIR MISSION IS TO STUDY, PRESERVE, AND CONSERVE THE WORKS OF ART IN CLEVELAND'S COLLECTION AND THE WORKS OF ART TRAVELING HERE FROM OTHER MUSEUMS AND COLLECTORS AROUND THE WORLD. USING SIMPLE HAND TOOLS AND MICROSCOPES AS WELL AS HIGH-TECH TOOLS SUCH AS X-RADIOGRAPHY AND INFRARED REFLECTOGRAPHY, THESE CONSERVATORS WORK WITH PATIENCE AND PRECISION TO EXAMINE ARTWORK AND PERFORM A WIDE RANGE OF CONSERVATION TREATMENTS. WALKING THROUGH THE CONSERVATION SUITE ON ANY GIVEN DAY, YOU MAY FIND A CONSERVATOR CLOSELY EXAMINING A UNIQUE 15TH-CENTURY ENGRAVING, CAREFULLY MOUNTING A 6TH-CENTURY EGYPTIAN COPTIC TEXTILE FOR DISPLAY, WORKING ON AN IMPRESSIONIST'S MASTERPIECE TO BRING IT AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE TO ITS ORIGINAL STATE AND ARTIST'S INTENT, OR PREPARING A FRAGILE PORCELAIN VASE TO TRAVEL WITHIN THE BUILDING OR ACROSS THE WORLD WITHOUT HARM FROM MOVEMENT OR ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES. TODAY, AS PART OF THE MUSEUM'S RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECT, THE CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT WORKS IN A RECENTLY OPENED 18,000-SQUARE-FOOT SUITE OF STATE-OF-THE-ART LABORATORIES. IT IS ONE OF THE FINEST SPACES IN THE COUNTRY FOR ANALYSIS, STUDY, AND CONSERVATION OF MUSEUM COLLECTIONS. LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES THE MISSION OF THE MUSEUM'S LIBRARY, INGALLS LIBRARY, IS TO SUPPORT THE MUSEUM'S CURRENT AND FUTURE COLLECTIONS, RESEARCH, EXHIBITIONS, PUBLICATIONS, LECTURES, PROGRAMS, AND ACTIVITIES. THE ARCHIVES' MISSION IS TO PRESERVE RECORDS THAT DOCUMENT THE ORIGINS, DEVELOPMENT, ACHIEVEMENTS, AND ACTIVITIES OF THE MUSEUM, AND TO ADMINISTER THE MUSEUM'S RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. ALL LIBRARY MATERIALS, EXCEPT THOSE IN THE REFERENCE COLLECTION, ARE HOUSED IN CLOSED STACKS. WHEN THE MUSEUM OPENED IN 1916 THE LIBRARY CONSISTED OF JUST 600 VOLUMES, MOSTLY ACQUIRED THROUGH DONATION. THE COLLECTION GREW SLOWLY AT FIRST, WITH AN EMPHASIS ON ESSENTIAL REFERENCE TEXTS. AS FUNDING AND INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT INCREASED, THE LIBRARY DEVELOPED INTO THE CENTER OF MUSEUM RESEARCH. SINCE REACHING 100,000 ITEMS IN 1979, COLLECTION GROWTH HAS INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY. FURTHER MILESTONES FOLLOWED QUICKLY, AS THE VOLUME COUNT TOPPED 200,000 IN 1995, THEN 300,000 IN 2000 AND 400,000 IN 2005. THERE ARE NOW MORE THAN 500,000 VOLUMES. TODAY, THE LIBRARY IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE MUSEUM'S IDENTITY. COLLECTIONS REMAIN A DYNAMIC AND CONSTANTLY EVOLVING RESOURCE FOR OUR VISITORS. Established in 1989, the primary mission of the Museum Archives is to collect, preserve, and make available records that document the role of the Cleveland Museum of Art in the social and cultural history of the local community and in the world of art. Institutional records include administrative records of museum offices; audio and visual recordings of museum programs and events; oral histories; and ephemera, including preparatory sketches and works of art. The archives also acquires personal papers and manuscript collections that document the interaction of the museum with significant figures and organizations in the art world. These collections include those of affiliated organizations with a significant historical relationship with the museum; studios and arts businesses and industries with significant contributions to the local and broader artistic communities; manuscripts of artists, collectors, and scholars that relate to museum history; and papers of museum benefactors. Collections that are not restricted are available to museum staff, scholarly researchers, and the public. A robust digitization program ensures the availability of collections to a worldwide audience. Archives staff also create and maintains indexes, finding aids, and databases to assist patrons in locating information in archives collections.
- $5.9 million spent. SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS THE MUSEUM IS A SIGNIFICANT INTERNATIONAL FORUM FOR EXHIBITS. THE IMPROVED AND EXPANDED SPECIAL EXHIBITION SPACES MAKES CLEVELAND A DESIRABLE DESTINATION FOR PREEMINENT LOAN EXHIBITIONS, BRINGING THE BEST ART FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO THE PEOPLE OF THE REGION. HISTORICALLY, THE MUSEUM HAS SHOWCASED BETWEEN 13 AND 17 SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS PER YEAR, STAGING TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS THAT DRAW FROM ITS PERMANENT COLLECTION AS WELL AS SHOWCASING INTERNATIONAL LOAN SHOWS.
- $31.7 million spent. USING ITS COLLECTION AND OTHER RESOURCES, THE MUSEUM HAS A COMMITMENT TO SERVE A VARIETY OF AUDIENCES, ALWAYS SEEKING A DYNAMIC INTERACTION BETWEEN THE VISITORS AND THE WORKS OF ART. MUSEUM STAFF ENDEAVOR TO CREATE A RANGE OF PROGRAMS THAT ENLIGHTEN AND DELIGHT BOTH A BROAD AUDIENCE AND VISITORS WITH MORE SPECIFIC INTERESTS. INFORMATION ON THE COLLECTION AND THE CONTINUING RESEARCH THEREON BY THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF IS DISSEMINATED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS. THE MUSEUM PRESENTS PROGRAMS IN RELATED AREAS SUCH AS MUSIC AND FILM SINCE THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ARTS. EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART'S EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS TEAM CREATES DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING, THOUGHTFUL CONTENT, AND MEANINGFUL COLLABORATIONS THAT TEACH, INSPIRE, AND SUPPORT VISITORS AND THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION, FEEL A CONNECTION TO IT AND, ULTIMATELY, ENHANCE THEIR LIVES THROUGH ART. IN THE GALLERIES THE MUSEUM OFFERS A NUMBER OF WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ART AND EACH OTHER. THE ARTLENS APP ALLOWS VISITORS TO LEARN ABOUT THE ARTWORK ON THEIR OWN, OR VISITORS CAN TAKE A FREE TOUR LED BY TRAINED DOCENTS. VISITORS CAN ALSO HANDLE GENUINE WORKS OF ART FROM THE EDUCATION ART COLLECTION IN OUR ART CARTS, AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES LIKE SCAVENGER HUNTS ON OUR FAMILY DAYS. IN THE STUDIO OUR ARTISTS TEACH CLASSES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. WE OFFER CLASSES FOR OUR 'LITTLEST LEARNERS' BEGINNING AT 18 MONTHS, FOR ADULTS, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. IN THE CLASSROOM, THE MUSEUM'S CONNIE TOWSON FORD TEACHER RESOURCE CENTER SERVES EDUCATORS WORKING WITH VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS, DISCIPLINES AND AUDIENCES. THE CENTER OFFERS A VARIETY OF WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR EDUCATORS. IN THE COMMUNITY VISITORS CAN EXPLORE THE MUSEUM PROGRAMS AT LOCATIONS AROUND NORTHEAST OHIO AND ONSITE AT THE MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM IS COMMITTED TO PUBLIC ARTS EDUCATION AND HOSTS MANY EDUCATIONAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING FAMILY DAYS, SCHOOL TOURS, INTERGENERATIONAL STUDIO ARTS CLASSES AND THE DISTANCE LEARNING AND ART TO GO PROGRAMS. ANNUAL COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVALS INCLUDE: SPRINGTIME'S PARADE THE CIRCLE, THE AUTUMN CHALK FESTIVAL AND A WINTER LIGHTS LANTERN FESTIVAL. A NEW OFFSITE LOCAL COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021 HOUSING THE MUSEUM'S COMMUNITY ARTS STAFF AND EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM. THE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER FEATURES A RANGE OF ARTS PROGRAMS WHILE COLLABORATING WITH NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERS TO ENRICH THE TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES OFFERED TO ALL AUDIENCES. BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, TRANSFORMER STATION SERVES AS A VIBRANT SATELLITE CENTER FOR THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, WHERE THE MUSEUM PRESENTS THE WORK OF EMERGING ARTISTS, TIME-BASED MEDIA, LIVE MUSIC, AND DYNAMIC SOCIAL EXPERIENCES IN OHIO CITY'S HINGETOWN NEIGHBORHOOD. MUSIC, PERFORMING ARTS AND FILM MUSIC AT THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART HAS A HISTORY NEARLY AS LONG AS THE INSTITUTION ITSELF, AND THE INITIAL PROGRAM HAS GROWN INTO AN EXTENSIVE PERFORMING ARTS SEASON THAT INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL MUSIC, DANCE AND THEATRE ARTISTS. THE MUSEUM'S ANNUAL SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL IS A CELEBRATION OF ART AND MUSIC. GUESTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY DYNAMIC AND CUTTING-EDGE MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD, AND EXPLORE MUSEUM GALLERIES LATE INTO THE NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTION PLAYS HOST TO A YEAR-ROUND FILM PROGRAM THAT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST OF ANY MUSEUM IN THE UNITED STATES. THE ART AND FICTION BOOK CLUB IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A MUSEUM BASED EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION FOR ART AND LITERATURE ENTHUSIASTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN DOWNLOAD MATERIALS CREATED BY OUR EDUCATORS, SUCH AS FAMILY GUIDES AND ART PROJECTS FOR HOME OR SCHOOL USE, INTERPRETATIVE RESOURCES THAT ADD PERSPECTIVE TO OBJECTS IN THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION, AND A HOST OF TEACHER ONLINE RESOURCES. CMA-CWRU JOINT PROGRAM THE JOINT PROGRAM IN ART HISTORY AND MUSEUM STUDIES OFFERED BY CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART PROVIDES STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY THE HISTORY OF ART AND PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR CAREERS IN THE MUSEUM FIELD USING THE RESOURCES OF A MAJOR RESEARCH UNIVERSITY, ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S FINEST GENERAL ART MUSEUMS, AND THE INGALLS LIBRARY, THE THIRD LARGEST ART MUSEUM LIBRARY IN THE COUNTRY. THE INGALLS LIBRARY PROVIDES RESEARCH CONSULTATION AND USE OF THE LIBRARY SEMINAR ROOM FOR THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY IN THE JOINT PROGRAM. IN 2002, THE MUSEUM EMBARKED ON A $350 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO DRAMATICALLY MODIFY THE INSTITUTION'S BLUEPRINT WHILE REORGANIZING AND RENEWING THE PRESENTATION OF ITS UNRIVALED COLLECTION. THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECT REAFFIRMED THE VISION OF THE INSTITUTION'S FOUNDERS, WHO BELIEVED THAT A GREAT CITY LIKE CLEVELAND SHOULD BE ENDOWED WITH THE FINEST OF CULTURAL ASSETS, INCLUDING AN ART MUSEUM THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. THE PROJECT TRANSFORMED OUTDATED MUSEUM SPACES AND PREPARED THE INSTITUTION TO MEET THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC. THE INTEGRITY OF THE ORIGINAL 1916 BUILDING WAS RESTORED INCLUDING UPGRADED MECHANICAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS WITH THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS THROUGHOUT. AN EXPANSION TO THE EAST AND WEST WITH TWO NEW WINGS RESTORED SYMMETRY AND PROVIDED SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF ROCKEFELLER PARK. THE NEW 39,000 SQUARE-FEET ENCLOSED ATRIUM IS CLEVELAND'S LARGEST FREE PUBLIC SPACE. THE MUSEUM INCREASED 33 PERCENT IN GALLERY SPACE, WITH ENHANCED INTERPRETATION OF THE COLLECTION THROUGH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY AS WELL AS INSTALLATIONS THAT ENGAGE THE FIRST-TIME VISITOR AND THE LONG-TIME DEVOTEE. ARTLENS EXHIBITION IS THE PRIMARY AND MOST RECENTLY RENOVATED ARTLENS GALLERY SPACE. ARTLENS GALLERY IS A 12,000-SQUARE-FOOT INTERACTIVE LEARNING CENTER. THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART'S MUSEUM-WIDE APP INCLUDES EVERY OBJECT ON VIEW AND CONNECTS TO THE ARTLENS GALLERY EXPERIENCE. ARTLENS APP ENHANCES THE VISITOR'S MUSEUM EXPERIENCE
- (Expenses $ 31,683,362 including grants of $ 35,620)(Revenue $ 3,372,838) USING ITS COLLECTION AND OTHER RESOURCES, THE MUSEUM HAS A COMMITMENT TO SERVE A VARIETY OF AUDIENCES, ALWAYS SEEKING A DYNAMIC INTERACTION BETWEEN THE VISITORS AND THE WORKS OF ART. MUSEUM STAFF ENDEAVOR TO CREATE A RANGE OF PROGRAMS THAT ENLIGHTEN AND DELIGHT BOTH A BROAD AUDIENCE AND VISITORS WITH MORE SPECIFIC INTERESTS. INFORMATION ON THE COLLECTION AND THE CONTINUING RESEARCH THEREON BY THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF IS DISSEMINATED THROUGH EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES AND PUBLICATIONS. THE MUSEUM PRESENTS PROGRAMS IN RELATED AREAS SUCH AS MUSIC AND FILM SINCE THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO A BROADER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ARTS. EDUCATION & COMMUNITY PROGRAMS CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART'S EDUCATION AND ACADEMIC AFFAIRS TEAM CREATES DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING, THOUGHTFUL CONTENT, AND MEANINGFUL COLLABORATIONS THAT TEACH, INSPIRE, AND SUPPORT VISITORS AND THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION, FEEL A CONNECTION TO IT AND, ULTIMATELY, ENHANCE THEIR LIVES THROUGH ART. IN THE GALLERIES THE MUSEUM OFFERS A NUMBER OF WAYS TO CONNECT WITH ART AND EACH OTHER. THE ARTLENS APP ALLOWS VISITORS TO LEARN ABOUT THE ARTWORK ON THEIR OWN, OR VISITORS CAN TAKE A FREE TOUR LED BY TRAINED DOCENTS. VISITORS CAN ALSO HANDLE GENUINE WORKS OF ART FROM THE EDUCATION ART COLLECTION IN OUR ART CARTS, AND PARTICIPATE IN ACTIVITIES LIKE SCAVENGER HUNTS ON OUR FAMILY DAYS. IN THE STUDIO OUR ARTISTS TEACH CLASSES FOR PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. WE OFFER CLASSES FOR OUR 'LITTLEST LEARNERS' BEGINNING AT 18 MONTHS, FOR ADULTS, AND EVERYONE IN BETWEEN. IN THE CLASSROOM, THE MUSEUM'S CONNIE TOWSON FORD TEACHER RESOURCE CENTER SERVES EDUCATORS WORKING WITH VARIOUS GRADE LEVELS, DISCIPLINES AND AUDIENCES. THE CENTER OFFERS A VARIETY OF WORKSHOPS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR FOR EDUCATORS. IN THE COMMUNITY VISITORS CAN EXPLORE THE MUSEUM PROGRAMS AT LOCATIONS AROUND NORTHEAST OHIO AND ONSITE AT THE MUSEUM. THE MUSEUM IS COMMITTED TO PUBLIC ARTS EDUCATION AND HOSTS MANY EDUCATIONAL EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, INCLUDING FAMILY DAYS, SCHOOL TOURS, INTERGENERATIONAL STUDIO ARTS CLASSES AND THE DISTANCE LEARNING AND ART TO GO PROGRAMS. ANNUAL COMMUNITY ARTS FESTIVALS INCLUDE: SPRINGTIME'S PARADE THE CIRCLE, THE AUTUMN CHALK FESTIVAL AND A WINTER LIGHTS LANTERN FESTIVAL. A NEW OFFSITE LOCAL COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER WAS ESTABLISHED DURING FISCAL YEAR 2021 HOUSING THE MUSEUM'S COMMUNITY ARTS STAFF AND EDUCATION OUTREACH PROGRAM. THE COMMUNITY ARTS CENTER FEATURES A RANGE OF ARTS PROGRAMS WHILE COLLABORATING WITH NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERS TO ENRICH THE TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCES OFFERED TO ALL AUDIENCES. BEGINNING IN FISCAL YEAR 2024, TRANSFORMER STATION SERVES AS A VIBRANT SATELLITE CENTER FOR THE VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, WHERE THE MUSEUM PRESENTS THE WORK OF EMERGING ARTISTS, TIME-BASED MEDIA, LIVE MUSIC, AND DYNAMIC SOCIAL EXPERIENCES IN OHIO CITY'S HINGETOWN NEIGHBORHOOD. MUSIC, PERFORMING ARTS AND FILM MUSIC AT THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART HAS A HISTORY NEARLY AS LONG AS THE INSTITUTION ITSELF, AND THE INITIAL PROGRAM HAS GROWN INTO AN EXTENSIVE PERFORMING ARTS SEASON THAT INCLUDES INTERNATIONAL MUSIC, DANCE AND THEATRE ARTISTS. THE MUSEUM'S ANNUAL SUMMER SOLSTICE FESTIVAL IS A CELEBRATION OF ART AND MUSIC. GUESTS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY DYNAMIC AND CUTTING-EDGE MUSIC FROM AROUND THE WORLD, AND EXPLORE MUSEUM GALLERIES LATE INTO THE NIGHT. IN ADDITION, THE INSTITUTION PLAYS HOST TO A YEAR-ROUND FILM PROGRAM THAT IS ONE OF THE OLDEST OF ANY MUSEUM IN THE UNITED STATES. THE ART AND FICTION BOOK CLUB IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A MUSEUM BASED EVENT ORGANIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND INTERPRETATION FOR ART AND LITERATURE ENTHUSIASTS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC CAN DOWNLOAD MATERIALS CREATED BY OUR EDUCATORS, SUCH AS FAMILY GUIDES AND ART PROJECTS FOR HOME OR SCHOOL USE, INTERPRETATIVE RESOURCES THAT ADD PERSPECTIVE TO OBJECTS IN THE MUSEUM'S COLLECTION, AND A HOST OF TEACHER ONLINE RESOURCES. CMA-CWRU JOINT PROGRAM THE JOINT PROGRAM IN ART HISTORY AND MUSEUM STUDIES OFFERED BY CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART PROVIDES STUDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO STUDY THE HISTORY OF ART AND PREPARE THEMSELVES FOR CAREERS IN THE MUSEUM FIELD USING THE RESOURCES OF A MAJOR RESEARCH UNIVERSITY, ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S FINEST GENERAL ART MUSEUMS, AND THE INGALLS LIBRARY, THE THIRD LARGEST ART MUSEUM LIBRARY IN THE COUNTRY. THE INGALLS LIBRARY PROVIDES RESEARCH CONSULTATION AND USE OF THE LIBRARY SEMINAR ROOM FOR THE STUDENTS AND FACULTY IN THE JOINT PROGRAM. IN 2002, THE MUSEUM EMBARKED ON A $350 MILLION CAPITAL CAMPAIGN TO DRAMATICALLY MODIFY THE INSTITUTION'S BLUEPRINT WHILE REORGANIZING AND RENEWING THE PRESENTATION OF ITS UNRIVALED COLLECTION. THE RENOVATION AND EXPANSION PROJECT REAFFIRMED THE VISION OF THE INSTITUTION'S FOUNDERS, WHO BELIEVED THAT A GREAT CITY LIKE CLEVELAND SHOULD BE ENDOWED WITH THE FINEST OF CULTURAL ASSETS, INCLUDING AN ART MUSEUM THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC FREE OF CHARGE. THE PROJECT TRANSFORMED OUTDATED MUSEUM SPACES AND PREPARED THE INSTITUTION TO MEET THE FUTURE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC. THE INTEGRITY OF THE ORIGINAL 1916 BUILDING WAS RESTORED INCLUDING UPGRADED MECHANICAL STRUCTURAL SYSTEMS WITH THE LATEST ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS THROUGHOUT. AN EXPANSION TO THE EAST AND WEST WITH TWO NEW WINGS RESTORED SYMMETRY AND PROVIDED SPECTACULAR VIEWS OF ROCKEFELLER PARK. THE NEW 39,000 SQUARE-FEET ENCLOSED ATRIUM IS CLEVELAND'S LARGEST FREE PUBLIC SPACE. THE MUSEUM INCREASED 33 PERCENT IN GALLERY SPACE, WITH ENHANCED INTERPRETATION OF THE COLLECTION THROUGH STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY AS WELL AS INSTALLATIONS THAT ENGAGE THE FIRST-TIME VISITOR AND THE LONG-TIME DEVOTEE. ARTLENS EXHIBITION IS THE PRIMARY AND MOST RECENTLY RENOVATED ARTLENS GALLERY SPACE. ARTLENS GALLERY IS A 12,000-SQUARE-FOOT INTERACTIVE LEARNING CENTER. THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART'S MUSEUM-WIDE APP INCLUDES EVERY OBJECT ON VIEW AND CONNECTS TO THE ARTLENS
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1959.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.