Akron Art Museum

When it comes to buying art, it can be difficult to know where to begin and seem like it's only for people with great wealth. The Akron Art Museum wants to make the process simpler and point out affordable options for collecting art in Northeast Ohio. “We of course want people to come to the museum and enjoy and be inspired by the artwork there, but we want to encourage people to experience what it is like to live with art in their homes,” said Ellen Rudolph, chief curator at the museum.

The Akron Art museum has had quite a couple of months when it comes to financial gifts and memberships. The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation awarded the museum $8 million, its largest gift to date, in September. That inspired the museum to offer free memberships to the community, according to CEO Mark Masuoka. “It really was a way that we were trying to respond, not only equally as generous, but in a way that would really open up the museum even further than what it was,” he said.

The Akron Art Museum is getting an $8 million gift from the Knight Foundation to add new works and better engage with visitors.