Having outgrown space, art museum to look at options

Lisa Benson

Daily News Editor

 

The Cincinnati Art Museum has hired the New York planning firm redesigning downtown's Fountain Square to create a plan for its future. Museum officials said growing attendance and use of its educational programs are putting the squeeze on space at its Eden Park facility.

 

 

 

http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2005/05/09/daily53.html?jst=b_ln_hl

The art museum, in my opinion, is one of the better run institutions in Cincinnati. Whoever came up with the idea of One World Wednesdays should get a raise. That single event has surely brought them dozens of new memberships from young Cincinnatians in the past year alone. 

 

http://www.cincinnatiartmuseum.com/oneworld/index.shtml

 

I'm sure that whatever they come up with for an expansion will be wonderful.

I have mixed feelings about this.  I would like to see the museum expand.  Certainly it needs to make use of the Art Academy space though I would rather see it remodelled than torn down and built over.  The lament that the museum is only able to display 3% of its collection is a bit bogus.  That is partly the result of decisions made by the director and staff.  They are constantly closing galleries for reinstallation.  I have never seen such a game of musical chairs with the collections there.  I like the new Cincinnati "wing", but in fact it is not a new "wing" but a reuse of existing gallery space which had been devoted largely to the museum's decorative arts collections.  Whole rooms of furniture and panelling etc. from England and France are now in storage I guess.  I had hoped they would use the old space previously used by the Cincinnati Historical Society in the ground floor of the Adams-Emery (1965) wing (which I assume the museum now uses for something, though I have no idea what--they have removed the exterior door that had once been used for the Historical Society) for that Cincinnati wing when I first heard about it, but instead they subtracted those galleries in order to add the Cincinnati wing.  I like the new cafe, but what happened to the space which was the old cafe in the lower level?  Again they deleted gallery space to provide room for the cafe.  They have done so many renovations and changes there over the almost 40 years I have known the museum it is mind boggling.  It seems to me that they have wasted huge amounts of money on all this moving and changing with little improvement to show for it.  The last major renovation opened the oldest, original part of the museum back up, but most of it is just wasted space in a sense.  It is nice, but they lost a lot of gallery space in creating it.  In many ways I liked the museum better about 20 years ago.  It was laid out in a much more easily understood straight-forward chronological way.  I am also not a fan of the "popularization" of museums in general.  The idea that museums should be playgrounds for squealing brats and night clubs and wedding chapels and everything else but places where people mature enough to appreciate it can quietly contemplate art works really annoys me and it is a trend in art museums the world over.  Call me an elitist if you like, but I just don't like the current trend and I wouldn't contribute a dime towards furthering it.  I have to disagree with kendall to a degree.  I don't think the museum is  well managed.  The gift shops for instance are very disorganized.  The volunteer staff never know what they are doing.  Every time I make a purchase there I swear I will never put myself through the hassle again.  I also worry about the security aspects of the museum.  I've noticed a lot of defacing of the labels for instance.  Where were the guards when that was going on?  I've also seen people touching works of art which shouldn't happen. 

"I am also not a fan of the "popularization" of museums in general.The idea that museums should be playgrounds for squealing brats and night clubs and wedding chapels and everything else but places where people mature enough to appreciate it can quietly contemplate art works really annoys me and it is a trend in art museums the world over."

 

"Call me an elitist if you like"

 

Elitist.

 

Stupid behavior by patrons (or their offspring) should never be tolerated (people touching artwork should be reported immediately and their hands amputated), but do you hear yourself? How on god's green earth are people ever going to develop a further appreciation and respect for the arts if people like you want to ensure a stifling tomb-like ambience? And if you care so deeply about the museum, you'd know that across the board, art museums have seen a substantial drop in donations (because of  the economy) - non-profit or not, the bills have to be paid. Museums can no longer afford to be "islands".

 

Anyways, does it really intrude upon your life to see a wedding party having their photos taken at the museum? Does it really intrude upon your happiness if a couple gets married in the museum (during off-hours - I've *never* heard of a museum that allows such events during open gallery hours). Does it really irk you that museums try to boost their membership ranks, particularly those who are going to be around longer than you? The museums have to keep going after we've passed on - and if we shun away people because they haven't reached some lofty notion of 'maturity', they won't be around for the next generations. Squealing brats? I've always resolved that with a scowl at the parents - works every time. People touching work? A simple but stern "excuse me, please don't touch the art" - although I'm surprised it ever happens with modern technology. 

 

Don't get me wrong - I know for some people, the experience is more enjoyable with a quiet atmosphere. Here's an idea - and I really think you should approach the museum with this. Suggest that they offer a special "quiet time" with a slightly higher admission fee and an age restriction - maybe a few hours a month on an off-night. Think of it as a VIP night without all the hassle of a membership. It would be a way to generate a little more revenue on slow nights, and who knows - maybe there are more people out there who want the same? I'm serious, I think you may have an opportunity here!

 

Failing that - if you've had such miserable experiences - have you ever contacted the museum? I don't mean the front desk, I mean the people who could make effective changes. If they don't hear you complaining to the right people - they'll never know what's wrong. That's especially true with museum volunteers - I volunteered at the Butler Institute in Youngstown for several hundred hours in the early 90s. So, if I have a truly awful experience - just like I would with any store, I contact the manager. If they aren't available on-site, I contact them at a later time. I don't care if the volunteers are blue-haired old biddies or collegiate-slackers - they're responsible for generating revenue, and being part of the public face of the museum. Every museum has a volunteer director and if they do their job right, they'll run a tight ship.

 

Some people have church in their life, I have art museums - but the last thing I would want is for them to be exclusively for those who can't tolerate others who haven't reached their level of 'maturity'.

 

 

 

 

I'm glad my school dragged my "brat" ass to museums when I was younger.  It gave me the required appreciation of art and of museums that came in handy as an adult.

I think I edge a bit more towards Cincinnatus on this one.  Due to the amazing generousity of the Rosenthals, admission to the art museum is now free - and that's a beautiful thing.  But the art museum is a different space than the Twin Lakes are.  Taking the brats to the art museum is a wonderful thing, and I'm with grasscat - I'm very glad I was dragged to them when I was a brat.  But when I got dragged there, I got to behave as an adult.  Inviting folks to develop an appreciation of fine art doesn't mean you have to install a swingset and cash bar - you can have a required level of decorum and be open to everyone.  In fact, I would definitely argue that the kid who's running around with his brother is getting very little exposure to art - if he's not paying attention, then he might as well not be there.

 

I hope the choice isn't truly between screaming brats and baudy gangs on one hand, and old blue-hairs and clove-smoking art students on the other - I think we're all talking about the extremes.  But some places should err on the side of the baudy - the guy at the ballpark keeping score who gets annoyed when someone buys a beer down the row from him because he has to pass it - screw you, buddy, it's place to drink and have fun.  But the art museum - please, let everyone in, but make them behave when they're there.

MayDay, you have considerably misinterpreted what I was trying to say and you know little or nothing about my background which includes service on the board of a museum (not the Cincinnati Art Museum, but an art museum).  I have indeed discussed these issues at great length with administrators and am familiar with the counterarguments.  I mentioned nothing about tomb-like silence--that is your exaggeration.  I have indeed intervened in an effort to protect art works in museums in the U.S. and Europe on more than one occasion, but I don't think art museum visitors or members are charged with the responsibility of doing that.  That is what guards are paid to do.  As for economics, that varies from museum to museum.  I haven't heard that the Cincinnati Art Museum is hurting.  My point is that they don't make good use of the resources they have.  I haven't heard (and as a member I get quite a lot of information about what is going on) that Cincinnati Art Museum needs more income and will do anything to bring in a few extra bucks.  Even if that were true, I doubt that weddings etc. bring in much once costs in opening the building, cleaning, providing security and allowing for wear and tear on the facilities are taken into account.  Of course that sort of thing does not occur during hours the museum is open.  Those uses are not the ones for which the museum was built however (whenever they occur).  Admission, as has been noted before, is free thanks to a private contribution which made free admission a full-time thing rather than one day a week as in the past.  I could refute or explain each point, but am not going to bother to do so since your comments are so asinine.  Think whatever you like, say whatever you like.  It was especially noble of you to mention ("particularly those who are going to be around longer than you") that I am closer to death than you and your brilliant generation who will doubtless save the world.  I'd like to know what generation didn't think that.  I know some deluded souls in my generation thought it.  You might just be wrong.  Who knows?  That is the sort of comment I would have expected from some other forum members, but I know now that you too are the sort of person who would write such a thing.

 

grasscat, I didn't say that no one under say age 12 should be admitted or that school groups should be discouraged from coming to the museum.  I was only commenting upon the sort of misbehavior which is now tolerated (and thus, indirectly, encouraged) not only in museums, but in libraries and all sorts of other public places.  I don't find scowls at parents (if the parents are anywhere around) to be of the slightest usefulness in trying to stop that sort of thing by the way and I have not gotten any useful help from people in charge--they just shrug their shoulders and look the other way.  I know a museum staff member (again not in Cincinnati) who felt as I do and she was told that she was not to intervene and had her job threatened by the museum director if she did not comply and yes I did take that case up with the director's superior to no avail.     

Er...before this gets utterly out of hand, can we all agree that we all like seeing lots of people in museums, we'd all like those people to behave respectfully, some of us have a higher standard of decorum than others, and go back to talking about their use of exhibit space?

Regarding their use of exhibit space, I enjoyed the Cincinnati Wing, but it seemed to me like it used way more space than necessary.  That's probably anathema, but my taste runs less towards furniture and more towards non-functional art - sculpture and paintings and photos and such.  Given how little of their permanent collection gets displayed, I'd have preferred if they'd have maybe concentrated the best Cincinnati stuff into the space to the northwest of the main corridor, and left the rooms to the southeast for other exhibits.  I think there's a place for 2nd tier art, since it's part of the local history - but when I go to the Art Museum, I'm more interested in seeing the greatest art available than I am in seeing local art.  When the two combine, like in Rookwood pieces, that's wonderful - but I'd rather see a display of Arabic Calligraphy than another desk or local interest painting.

Cincinnatus, I think you've also misinterpreted quite a few of my remarks as well and as someone who has an enormous amount of respect for you I hope we can at least see where we are coming from, and agree to disagree. Obviously this is something we are both passionate about but I come from the school of thought that art is for everyone, and people shouldn't be reluctant to visit a museum because they're afraid of a monastery-like atmosphere, or they haven't been blessed to have studied art extensively, or that they may be too young to truly appreciate what they're seeing. As RiverViewer said and it should go without saying - I'd like "those people to behave respectfully, some of us have a higher standard of decorum than others."

 

First and foremost, in no way, shape or form was my comment about future generations meant as a slam at your (or anyones') age or somehow comparing your age to mine. Some of my dearest friends are significantly older than you and they would vouch for me on that. Perhaps a better way to phrase it would have been "those who would be around longer than US", because I was not including myself nor my brilliant generation when I referred to 'future generations'. I see why you might have been offended by that, but that was not at all the intent. Not knowing your exposure and experience to art museums - well, I guess I stand corrected but I still stand by some of my remarks.

 

Second, "elitist" - no offense but you did say "call me an elitist if you like"? Well, I read and re-read your comments about the popularization of museums and quite honestly (and this is just going from what you posted) I felt that yep, they genuinely read as elitist to me. Again, no offense but when you say "call me a ____ if you like" and I read comments that seem _____, well...?

 

This quote above all was what brought me to that conclusion:"playgrounds for squealing brats and night clubs and wedding chapels and everything else but places where people mature enough to appreciate it can quietly contemplate art works really annoys me" It really reads like something a curmudgeon would say, as opposed to someone with a deep appreciation for art. I share the sentiment that obnoxious behavior has no place in an art musuem - but I refer to what I said about art being for everyone.

 

I've rarely seen any issues with unruly kids at the museums I patronize, nor have I seen the 'extra-curricular' activities have a detrimental effect on the museum or the overall atmosphere therein. What I do know is that many museums are seeing declining memberships - how else will they be able to stay afloat unless they embrace new blood? It's those extra-curricular events that generate interest - after all, the museum wasn't necessarily built to hold gala fundraisers for blockbuster exhibitons but would you suggest that they are inappropriate? Along that line of thought, I don't have thousands to donate and become a high-tier donor - but I do have some disposable income that I enjoy spending at things like "Cool Fridays" (aka jazz in the courtyard).  I have no children, I most likely never will have children, but I know how my life has been enhanced by my countless visits to art museums since I remember - the first being at age 5. I want others to have those experiences, I want the museums to be able to offer them. If they don't recruit new younger patrons now, they won't be able to.

 

In my experience, security has been the least concern, as most I've seen have either laser "screens" that set off alarms or extensive surveillance systems with extremely alert staff. Does Cincy's museum lack in that department? The museums I hold nearest and dearest have always had free admission (except for special exhibits) - then again, they have had that for decades so maybe it's a perception issue now that Cincy's has just started such a program?

Cincinnatus,

 

When you put it that way, I agree with you.  But I, like MayDay, have never really seen that type of behavior in the Art Museum.  Libraries and other public spaces--absolutely.  It's gotten to the point where children can do no wrong.

From the 5/24/05 Enquirer:

 

PHOTO: Andy Igel of Over-the-Rhine and Kelly Armstrong of Edgewood examine a scale model of the Tyler Davidson Fountain at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Only 3 percent of the 60,000 pieces in the museum’s permanent collection are on display.  The Enquirer/Meggan Booker

 

PHOTO: Joseph Schuermeyer of Yellow Springs views Hiram Powers' "Eve Disconsolate" at the Cincinnati Art Museum. The exterior of the museum was originally designed in the Richardson Romanesque style (inset).  The Enquirer/Meggan Booker

 

 

Cincinnati Art Museum plans major renovation

By Sara Pearce

Enquirer staff writer

 

Today, the oldest art museum west of the Allegheny Mountains embarks on possibly the biggest renovation in its 119 years.

 

The Cincinnati Art Museum envisions more galleries to show off rare collections. More gathering spaces for more than 270,000 visitors a year. High-tech, multimedia educational facilities. A modern library open to the public. And a virtual museum that is as accessible as the real thing.

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050524/ENT07/505240314/-1/rss

 

The complex fails to take advantage of its beautiful view and lush location atop one of Cincinnati's seven hills.

 

Boy, is that the truth.  They have an incredible view from the sidewalk on the Gilbert side of the museum - you can see right across the basin to Price Hill, with OTR and Mt. Auburn and everything, but the only place I've ever seen it is from the sidewalk.  There may be such views from inside the museum somewhere, but I've never seen them.

From the 5/25/05 Enquirer:

 

 

Cincinnati Art Museum outlines ideas

By Sara Pearce

Enquirer staff writer

 

The Cincinnati Art Museum unveiled new artworks, redesigned galleries and an expanded community education program during its first Report to the Community meeting Tuesday..

 

Director Timothy Rub officially announced the museum has hired Cooper, Robertson & Partners - a New York-based architecture and planning firm - to help it create a 20-year facilities plan.

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050525/NEWS01/505250350/1056/rss02

 

From the Cincinnati Post Opinion Section.....

 

 

Growing like Topsy

 

The Cincinnati Art Museum has been expanded, renovated and rebuilt so many times over the last century that the original structure is nearly impossible to discern.

 

That, no doubt, is part of the reason the museum's trustees are being cautious about broaching yet another construction project. No decisions have been made yet. But they have hired a New York architectural planning firm with national experience in museum design to take a look at the Eden Park campus and make some recommendations. And they've put in place a process for inviting public comment as well.

 

 

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050621/EDIT/506210337/1003

From the 9/27/05 Enquirer:

 

 

Art museum anticipates major building makeover

Public invited to review plans, add own suggestions

By Sara Pearce

Enquirer staff writer

 

An underground parking lot.

 

A sculpture garden.

 

An education wing.

 

Each of those could be a possibility for the Cincinnati Art Museum, says Director Timothy Rub.

 

Rub and his staff have been meeting with architects, designers and planners from consultant Cooper, Robertson & Partners since April to develop a long-range facilities plan.

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050927/ENT07/509270338/1025/rss05

 

I thought the former Art Academy was being turned into condos. Is this plan cancelled?

^ I know.  I thought they were already there working on it.  Either we know something the Enquirer doesn't, or something's happened that we don't know about.

The Art Academy was housed in two buildings, one in Eden Park attached to the Art Museum, and one in Mt. Adams on St.Gregory Street.  The Mt. Adams building is being converted to condos.

From the 10/19/05 CityBeat:

 

 

PHOTO: It might look nice, but it's not always easy to find the main entrance to the Cincinnati Art Museum. The public is invited to be part of the process of planning how CAM's facilities will address the needs of future generations.  Photo By Matt Borgerding

 

The Museum of the Future 

CAM wants the public to tell them what will work for them

By Rick Pender

 

Did you know the Cincinnati Art Museum (CAM) has more than 60,000 objects in its permanent collection? That's a big number for any museum. An even more startling fact: Only 3 percent of that collection is on view at any given moment. Where are they keeping the other 97 percent? Most of it is tucked away in storage within the crowded building in Eden Park and only occasionally exhibited to the public. Bringing those objects forth, not to mention having adequate space to show them, is just one dimension of the complex planning CAM must pursue to ensure it's carrying out its mission and serving the public.

 

 

E-mail Rick Pender [/i]

 

http://www.citybeat.com/current/art.shtml

 

Art Museum expansion: Old vs. new

How does it keep grandeur and become more usable?

 

By Sara Pearce

Enquirer staff writer

 

A new entrance with unobstructed views of downtown.

 

Underground parking with a grassy sculpture park above.

 

An additional 105,000 square feet of space.

 

Those are among the proposals for expansion that the Cincinnati Art Museum is rolling out this week, first to its members and board, then to the public at community forums Friday and Sunday.

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051026/ENT07/510260399

Oh, yes...they had me at "A new entrance with unobstructed views of downtown."  I can't believe they haven't made use of their amazing view of the entire basin before.  This alone is worth the project - the fact that they'd also be displaying more of their permanent collection is just bonus points!

^^ Did anyone go to this?  If so what are your thoughts?

From the 2/18/06 Cincinnati Post:

 

 

PHOTO: A visitor looks at Benjamin West's oil painting of "Ophelia and Laertes" during a stroll at the Cincinnati Art Museum.  JASON D. GEIL/The Post

 

Reimagining the art museum

A Cincinnati institution is in line for a makeover

By Jerry Stein

Post staff reporter

 

The Cincinnati Art Museum is about to choose between two concepts that will affect the fate of the historic Art Academy of Cincinnati building.

 

One option calls for the academy building, one of the oldest in the original Mount Adams art complex, to be torn down. Another calls for it to be integrated into the museum's 20-year master plan. The museum's board may decide at its meeting Feb. 28.

 

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060218/NEWS01/602180366

 

Anyone know which building this is, or what exhibits are housed in it?  I couldn't pick up from the article which structure this actually is?

^ The building they're talking about is physically connected to the Art Museum, though I couldn't honestly tell you which part.

 

I realized that I forgot to post the other part of the story from yesterday's Post:

 

 

Raze or renovate? A closer look

By Jerry Stein

Post staff reporter

 

Here's a look at the two final concepts the urban planning firm of Cooper, Robertson & Partners generated as a master development plan for the Cincinnati Art Museum.

 

 

http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060218/LIFE/602180343/1036/RSS06

 

From the 3/1/06 Enquirer:

 

 

PHOTO: Art Academy senior Brad Schwass of Green Township demonstrates Tuesday against the proposed razing of the old academy building.  The Enquirer/Carrie Cochran

 

PHOTO: The former Art Academy of Cincinnati building in Eden Park is slated to be torn down as part of the Art Museum's expansion plans.  The Enquirer/Enest Coleman

 

Art Museum plans upgrade

Gain: Sculpture park. Loss: Art Academy building

BY SARA PEARCE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER

 

MOUNT ADAMS - The Cincinnati Art Museum Board of Trustees unanimously approved the biggest overhaul and expansion in the museum's 125-year history Tuesday.

 

It will cost at least $125 million and add 110,000 square feet, underground parking, new and renovated galleries and an outdoor sculpture park.

 

And it will eclipse the city's most recent art museum projects: construction of the $35 million Contemporary Arts Center in 2002-03 and the $22.8 million renovation and expansion of the Taft Museum of Art in 2003-04.

 

 

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060301/LIFE05/603010335/1025/rss05

 

I'm not sure how to feel about this....the museum is expanding, but it seems as though we are losing a historic gem.  I tend to agree with this fella:

 

I agree, I hope they can figure out a perfect solution that supplies their needs and preserves the building...but I've gotta say, the thought of them taking advantage of their view is WONDERFUL!  FINALLY!  WOO HOO!  And sorry about the Academy...but THE VIEW!  WOO HOO!

A post on Cincinnati Blog indicated that this expansion would only expand the exhibits by 10% and for $125 million a whole new museum could be built. I don't know how accurate those comments are but it caught my attention.

well im assuming the 125 million includes all renovation tasks as well

 

Wasn't the great hall renovated not all that long ago?

I'm not sure how to feel about this....the museum is expanding, but it seems as though we are losing a historic gem.  I tend to agree with this fella:

 

 

The museum's job is to preserve and display art, not necessarily buildings.

^This is true but it is sort of an ironic twist of events.  Should a bldg. with history to it...that is used to preserve and display history...then it would be ironic and unfortunate for that structure to be torn down.

Sweet, looking forward to seeing the initial drawings. Dutch design = ultra, ultra, modern. I'm sure it will be greeted with open arms in Cincy. :wink:

Art museum selects architect

BY SARA PEARCE | [email protected]

 

After a six-month search, the Cincinnati Art Museum has selected an architecture firm for its renovation and expansion. It is Neutelings Riedijk Architects, a Dutch firm based in Rotterdam. It will be the first building in the United States for them and partner Michiel Riedijk says they were so excited by the news that they broke out the champagne. They are not known for a specific style of architecture, preferring instead to tailor their work to each client. But they have worked on projects incorporating historic spaces and that’s one of the things that appealed to the selection committee, says museum director Aaron Betsky.

 

To read more: http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070926/ENT07/70926017

^ WOW.  That thing is just hideous.  I suppose it reflects the use of the building, being an "Institute for Sound and Vision", but I can't say that I find the design appealing. 

 

I am glad to hear that they are planning to restore the Art Academy, though.  That's good news.  Hopefully their overall design will be a little less busy and flamboyant than their previous work in the screenshot above.

The Architects have a website, http://www.neutelings-riedijk.com/. A lot of funky buildings. It will be interesting to see how they combined the old with the new.

 

I just noticed they have design a prison. Maybe the city can get a two for one deal with them when the sales tax increase passes.

 

Here's a few of their other designs.

 

 

 

I believe this building, which is underwater, got profiled in Wired. It's a tax office.

 

 

Oh god no, why would you do that?  for a contemporary art center, sure, but not the art museum.

This could end up being something spectacular, but this architect really seems to like the boxy look.  They are distinguishing their buidlings by the decorative skin I guess.

Did they do a mock-up of their plan for the Art Museum?  Or were they selected solely based on their prior works?  I'd love to see some drawings or models of what they plan for THIS project.  I'm not usually a big fan of this style of architecture (though I love the CAC's building) and I can't say that I like any of the structures shown in the pictures above, so I'd feel a lot better if I could see what they have in mind.

I thought the Academy building would be a goner. I hope the model is there longer than just this Friday.

 

Art Museum: Give us more space

By Sara Pearce • [email protected] • June 26, 2008

 

A tulip-shaped tower, an outdoor sculpture garden, renovation of the historic Art Academy of Cincinnati building, underground parking and more galleries are highlights of the latest plan for a renovation and expansion of the Cincinnati Art Museum.

 

This week, the museum’s board of trustees voted to go forward with raising money for the project. On Friday, the public gets a peek at the design concept when the exhibition Long Time No See opens.

 

To read more: http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080626/NEWS01/306260108/1055/NEWS

This could be sweet.  The art museum is currently very attractive.  I hope Cincinnati doesn't get screwed with something like the images posted above.

 

The "tulip-shaped tower" could be great.  I can't wait to see renderings.

Quick aside, Betsky is actually cited as one of Brueggeman's experts in his book, Sprawl: A compact history.

The exterior walls of the old academy building are stabilized and ready to be infilled for additional office, gallery, and library space for the museum.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://downtown-mtauburn.fox19.com/news/arts-culture/88981-million-dollar-gift-supports-renovations-cincinnati-art-museum

If they left it alone as it is now, it would look like any abandoned European castle. They could claim it was built to protect the Adams manor from the evil Lord Covington.

I took many classes in that building as a kid.  It was a great building and it's a shame that they did this to it.  They could have basically left it as-is and used it for exhibit space for contemporary art, like PS1 in Queens. 

Cincinnati Art Museum plans grand entrance in Eden Park

 

 

The Cincinnati Art Museum is working on a plan to create a new road in Eden Park that would provide a more grand entrance to its building, the Enquirer reports.

 

The Cincinnati Board of Park Commissioners approved an easement of Eden Park property on Thursday that would allow the museum to begin fundraising $8 million needed to create a new entrance and driveway.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/11/18/cincinnati-art-museum-plans-grand-entrance-in-eden.html

Cincinnati Art Museum receives largest-ever gift

 

The Cincinnati Art Museum has received the largest single monetary gift in its history.

 

An $11.75 million gift from the estate of Alice and Carl Bimel will create the Alice Bimel Endowment for Asian Art. The endowment will help the museum expand collections from South Asia, Greater Iran and Afghanistan.

 

More below:

http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2017/05/16/cincinnati-art-museum-receives-largest-ever-gift.html

Cincinnati Art Museum Offers Sneak Peek at Progress of Beautiful 'Art Climb' Staircase Project

 

https://www.citybeat.com/arts-culture/culture/blog/21129978/cincinnati-art-museum-offers-sneak-peek-at-progress-of-beautiful-art-climb-staircase-project?fbclid=IwAR0Pme0vCXrxU_cqCrEeQYNoOXQ1TvF2lHtnZtNWxvc3oDhj2d1bR2sQ4ac

Edited April 24, 20205 yr by preservationrestoration

I struggle with the Art Museum spending so much money on this ableist of a project.