A new project that will connect the Cincinnati Art Museum with surrounding communities is underway.
Dubbed Art Climb, a staircase will be constructed near the intersection of Eden Park Drive and Gilbert Avenue, leading all the way from the street to the CAM's front entrance. According to a release, construction will start in June and wrap up in late 2019.
In opening the grounds up, the museum will literally connect with nearby neighborhoods, most notably Walnut Hills. It will also provide space to introduce more outdoor artworks.
Similar to other famous museums, the staircase will act as a gateway between the community and the museum, allowing visitors to have easier access to the space.
"Multiple flights of steps and landings will span the hill at the northern corner of the museums grounds, around 450 feet from the street to the parking lot," explains the release. Lights guiding visitors toward the museum will also be added. At the top of the staircase, a pavilion will offer a scenic view of the city.
Recently, the museum also began construction on an entry ramp near the front entrance for visitors with strollers or those with disabilities with the goal of greater accessibility.
While developing their 2016-2021 strategic plan, the CAM identified connecting with the community as one of their priorities. And since January 2016, the museum has worked with the Mayor's office, the Cincinnati Park Board and representatives of Walnut Hills and Mount Adams on the plan and fundraising strategies.
“The Cincinnati Art Museum’s strategic plan seeks to answer not only what we must be, given our public charter, but what it hopes to be in context of the best, most forward-looking and transformative arts institutions in the nation,” says museum director Cameron Kitchin.
According to the release, the CAM received $5 million in New Markets Tax Credits in October 2018 to go toward Art Climb, which made the project possible. They're collaborating with emersion DESIGN and Human Nature to flesh out the design and last month Turner Construction was chosen as the construction firm.
A Cincinnati Metro stop is located near the bottom of the stairway; the museum will remain open during construction. During the process, the team will retain as many trees as possible, but invasive honeysuckle and diseased ash trees will be removed.
For more info, visit cincinnatiartmuseum.org.
*A previous version of this article had incorrectly identified emersion DESIGN
