Cleveland Museum of Art Announces Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan

CLEVELAND (August 12, 2018) – The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) today released its first diversity, equity and inclusion plan. The plan outlines a comprehensive and concrete series of initiatives that will advance the CMA’s recently adopted strategic plan, Making Art Matter, as the museum activates and strengthens its commitment to all audiences. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan will ensure that the institution better reflects the demographics of the region that it serves and is positioned to connect with a larger, more diverse local, national and international community. 

“The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion plan is the result of a year and a half of thoughtful work and collaboration between our board of trustees and a working group of staff and volunteers,” said William M. Griswold, CMA director and president. “The teams have come together to develop a clear, actionable plan that will work to deliver on the promise of our strategic plan and institutional mission—to create transformative experiences through art, for the benefit of all the people forever.”  

“The Cleveland Museum of Art is committed to removing barriers and creating opportunities, using the collection as a means for bringing people together to learn, discuss and draw inspiration from great works of art,” said CMA board chair Peter E. Raskind.

“As a museum dedicated to the art of every culture, place and period, diversity is a core value. With this plan, we are poised to set an example and better represent the many audiences of our community and world,” said CMA trustee Helen Forbes Fields. 

The CMA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Plan positions the CMA as a leader in efforts to address diversity and inclusion in the museum industry. While many strategies will be employed, the CMA has already received national recognition through a grant from the Ford and Walton Family Foundations’ Diversifying Art Museum Leadership Initiative (DAMLI), which will support the development of a pipeline of emerging art museum professionals from high school through graduate school. The Cleveland Foundation has also taken a leadership role in supporting these efforts at the CMA. In combination with the strategic plan and DEI plan, the grants strengthen the CMA’s commitment to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at every level of the institution including its leadership, staff, volunteers, members and visitors. 

“The DEI plan is integral to achieving our vision and mission, fulfilling our promise and upholding our leadership values. We invite the community to read the full plan at clevelandart.org/dei, and to send us comments and ideas at deiplan@clevelandart.org,” said Griswold.