The Cleveland Museum of Art is an iconic and beloved part of the city’s cultural landscape, but who funds it? It takes a combination of public, private, and philanthropic dollars to keep the museum running and providing educational experiences to the community.
Public Funding
The Cleveland Museum of Art receives operational support from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture (CAC), a public agency that distributes funds from Cuyahoga County’s alcohol tax. Since 2006, CAC has provided over $54 million in grants to the museum. This funding helps support many of the museum’s day-to-day activities and operations, including exhibitions, educational programs for adults and children, conservation projects for works of art and other important initiatives.
Private Funding
The Cleveland Museum of Art also relies on donations from private individuals and corporations. These gifts are essential for maintaining the museum’s collections as well as providing funding for special exhibitions and educational programs. The museum has received generous donations from families like the Gunds, the Pews, and more recently from The George Gund Foundation.
Philanthropic Funding
The museum also receives significant philanthropic support from foundations like The Cleveland Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation among others. These foundations provide grants for specific projects such as exhibitions or educational initiatives.
Conclusion
The Cleveland Museum of Art is supported by a combination of public funds from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture; private donations from individuals and corporations; and philanthropic contributions from foundations such as The Cleveland Foundation and The Kresge Foundation. Together these sources provide essential support to keep the museum running and providing educational experiences to the community.