The Fine Arts Campus’s Restoration

The Cleveland Museum of Art is embarking on a major restoration of the historical Fine Arts Campus, enhancing the beauty, accessibility, and care of these treasured public spaces. Two institutions recently supported this vital project, reflecting a shared belief in the power of art, nature, and public space to strengthen our community.

Louise H. And David S. Ingalls Foundation
For more than 70 years, the Louise H. and David S. Ingalls Foundation has advanced the educational, cultural, and civic life of Cleveland, especially through the family’s deep relationship with the CMA. In 1984, the foundation provided principal support for the museum’s new wing, and home to the Ingalls Library, one of the largest art research libraries in the country. Since then, the foundation has continued to ensure that this vital resource thrives, with grants supporting updates to lighting in the library, as well as a postgraduate fellowship in reference librarianship. The foundation has also endowed the Paul J. and Edith Ingalls Vignos Jr. Curator of Modern European Art, strengthening the museum’s curatorial expertise for generations to come.

Recently, the foundation made an investment in the museum, Cleveland, and University Circle, with a major commitment to the revitalization of the Fine Arts Campus. “We look forward to watching the museum’s plans for the Fine Arts Campus progress,” says Bobbie Brown, president of the Louise H. and David S. Ingalls Foundation. “The revitalization of the landscape and tree canopy are critical to the environmental health of the park, and we are excited to see outdoor arts programming in the garden once the renovations are complete.” Together, the CMA and the Louise H. and David S. Ingalls Foundation continue a shared legacy of stewardship and vision—honoring the past while investing in a vibrant and inspiring future.

Holden Parks Trust
For nearly four decades, the Holden Parks Trust has improved and beautified parks in and around University Circle. A creation of the City of Cleveland, the trust makes grants to projects such as the restoration of the historical Wade Park Avenue Bridge and the dedication of Jesse Owens Olympic Oak Plaza, adjacent to Rockefeller Lagoon. The trust has also supported past CMA Fine Arts Garden projects, including the recently completed “extension” project, south of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. 

A recently approved major grant to the CMA supports critical infrastructure improvements and expands accessibility needs across the Fine Arts Campus. These upgrades allow more people of all ages and abilities to enjoy Wade Lagoon and the outdoor artworks. “We commend the museum for its ongoing efforts to maintain and enhance this important public space,” Kate Borders, chair of Holden Parks Trust and president of University Circle Inc., notes. “The renewal of this beloved park allows everyone to fully enjoy our public green spaces for years to come.”

As the gateway to University Circle, world-class museums and performance venues, leading research and healthcare institutions, historical neighborhoods, and public parks, the Fine Arts Campus—alongside Wade Oval, Rockefeller Park, and the Nord Family Greenway—forms a unique collection of green spaces that shape Cleveland’s civic identity. Through this investment, the Holden Parks Trust is helping to ensure that our outdoor spaces remain welcoming and vibrant for the entire community.