History of the Musart Society
Free music programs at the Cleveland Museum of Art began in 1918, when Frederic Allen Whiting, the Museum's first director, received approval from the Board of Trustees to include music programs among Museum activities. Interest in the expansion of music programs at the Museum grew quickly, and in the early 1920s a large gift led to the installation of the P. J. McMyler Memorial Organ, making the Cleveland Museum of Art the first in the country to have a large pipe organ installed in its galleries.
The Musart Society has been supporting the musical activities of the museum's Department of Musical Arts for fifty years. Founded in 1946 by curator of musical arts (from 1941 to 1974) Walter Blodgett and a circle of his friends, the Musart Society was incorporated with the state of Ohio ten years later "to further and promote the musical events and programs offered at, and/or sponsored by, the Cleveland Museum of Art, and to receive, solely for and on behalf of [the museum] donations, gifts, bequests...or anything of value for said purpose." It operates as a tax-exempt organization under section 509(a)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code.
During the Depression, the return on the McMyler Endowment dropped sufficiently to require additional funds for the continuation of free recitals. After World War II, when it appeared that these programs were in jeopardy, the Musart Society was organized in an effort to express gratitude for and pleasure with the free music programs at the Museum and to help support the continuation of these programs. Musart Society founding members solicited annual contributions which were invested to supplement the existing departmental funds. The return on these investments provided the additional funding needed for the continuation of free concerts and recitals.
The Musart Society is administered by an appointed Board of Trustees, led by president Carolyn Wipper, which is responsible for supervising investments and developing membership. Curator of Musical Arts Karel Paukert is responsible for series programming.
Musart Society members are entitled to reduced prices on individual-event and subscription tickets for the Gala Music Series of Wednesday evening concerts and vouchers for free tickets to the Musart Mondial Series of concerts. They receive monthly and individual concert fliers by mail as well as occasional information and comments about forthcoming performances and broadcasts. The Annual membership contribution is thirty dollars; other membership categories are Sustaining ($50); Patron ($100); Benefactor ($250+); and Corporate ($1000).
Joining the Musart Society is the best way to support performances at the Cleveland Museum of Art. To join, call 216-707-2284, or email
Michael McKay.