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CINCINNATI— From January 3–12, the Cincinnati Art Museum will pause operations while employees and volunteers focus on healing and community service. Museum indoor galleries, Terrace Café, Museum Shop, and public programs will be suspended during this ten-day break. Art Climb and museum digital spaces will remain open and free to the public throughout. The museum building and administrative offices will reopen to the public on Thursday, January 13, 2022.

While the pandemic continues to impact all organizations, it was only an indirect factor in this pause. The goal of this time is to allow the museum’s 235 employees and hundreds of volunteers to focus on their personal healing and community service. Staff is creating intentional goals around ways to focus on personal wellbeing and are encouraged to volunteer with agencies that support the community during this time. The museum’s architecture and ample spacing, along with hospital-grade filtration and visitor safety protocols allow the Cincinnati Art Museum to continue to be one of the safest and healthiest places in our region.

“For the past two years, our museum has protected and cared for our community, our staff and a broad network of educational services. Cincinnati Art Museum was the first museum to re-open across a three-state region in 2020. Now, our staff and volunteers need an intermission to focus on our health and wellness. Whether employees choose to reconnect with family or work in a food bank, this pause allows us to grow individually while we all grow collectively,” said Cameron Kitchin, Cincinnati Art Museum’s Louis and Louise Dieterle Nippert Director. “I’m confident that healing and service is a path to long-term strength.”

All staff will continue full employment and receive regular compensation and benefits. Except for a few critical daily and weekly functions, museum offices will be closed to staff and public. Construction projects on the site will benefit from continuing during this time.

The Art Climb, the civic and art space on the grounds of Cincinnati Art Museum, will remain open and available to the public all day, every day. Thousands of works of art from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s permanent collection can be viewed online on CAM’s website and through Google Arts & Culture.

The museum will reopen for the final weekend of Kara Walker: Cut to the Quick from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation.

About the Cincinnati Art Museum
The Cincinnati Art Museum is supported by the generosity of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave. The Ohio Arts Council helps fund the Cincinnati Art Museum with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. The Cincinnati Art Museum gratefully acknowledges operating support from the City of Cincinnati, as well as our members. Free general admission to the Cincinnati Art Museum is made possible by a gift from The Rosenthal Family Foundation. Special exhibition pricing may vary. Parking at the Cincinnati Art Museum is free. Visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org for more information.

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