Supporter Story

Howard Freedman and Rita Montlack’s earliest memories of the Cleveland Museum of Art date back to their school days, when each visited on a field trip. Though they attended different schools, their recollections are strikingly similar: Both were awestruck by the museum’s many wonders, especially the stunning armor court, which remains a favorite among school groups and is one of the CMA’s most iconic galleries. They also remember eagerly wandering from gallery to gallery, determined to take in as much as possible. Over time, as they have pursued their own artistic careers, their appreciation of the museum has only grown.

Howard, a Cleveland arts savant and honorary trustee of the museum, views the CMA as a vital cultural asset for the region. He especially values its permanent collection and applauds the museum’s ability to bring internationally acclaimed exhibitions to Cleveland, such as Picasso and Paper and Renaissance Splendor: Catherine de’ Medici’s Valois Tapestries. Like many in his field, he considers the CMA among the finest museums in the world. He also credits its outstanding staff for much of its success, having worked closely with them to help secure the significant loan of the Valois Tapestries for the Renaissance Splendor exhibition.
For Rita, the museum offers a rare combination of hope and cultural enrichment. Its acclaimed performing arts series, engaging lectures, hands-on art classes, and school tours inspire and elevate Cleveland’s arts scene, something Rita values as an artist. The CMA’s world-class exhibitions and educational programs also provide her with ongoing opportunities to learn, grow, and remain inspired. The CMA’s recent exhibition Takashi Murakami: Stepping on the Tail of a Rainbow is a notable example of this. Its vast patterned expanses and overarching theme of hope were deeply moving to Rita and mirrored artistic elements she incorporates into her own work, most recently in her Hopeful installation at Summa Health Hospital in Akron.

To Howard and Rita, great art sparks wonder and hope, inviting viewers to reflect on the ineffable aspects of life that give it meaning. Committed to ensuring that the CMA remains a vibrant part of the Greater Cleveland community, they have made an extraordinary contribution to the museum’s endowment. This deeply meaningful gift from two of the museum’s closest friends helps secure its future, ensuring that its cultural treasures remain accessible to all.