The Womens Council
Founded in 1941, the Womens Council plays an active support role for the Cleveland Museum of Art. Individually and collectively, our members volunteer, provide financial support, and demonstrate interest in the museum’s art collections, exhibitions, and programs. We welcome new members each year.
The Womens Council Mission
To attract and nurture a community of engaged members who support the mission of the Cleveland Museum of Art to create transformative experiences through art.
The Womens Council Commitment
To foster meaningful relationships with each other, the community, and the museum through educational programming, volunteering, and fundraising.
During the last fiscal year, July 1, 2024–June 30, 2025, the Womens Council achieved the following:
- Presented educational programs each month from October through May
- Volunteered 5,686 hours for the museum and the Womens Council
- Gave the museum $122,085 and $8,720 in-kind gifts of flower arrangements, for a total gift of $130,805
More Information
Some of the benefits of membership in the Womens Council are the following:
- Membership Programs: Hear from members of the curatorial staff and learn insider details about current exhibitions.
- Book Gallery: Discuss related books with other members following the monthly Membership Program.
- Third Tuesdays: Enjoy a docent-led tour that relates to the monthly Membership Program (reservation required).
- Cinema Club: Join an online discussion of a film that relates to the monthly Membership Program.
- Art Dialogues: Tour an art-related location in Northeast Ohio (reservation required).
- Art Excursions: Participate in an annual trip to visit museums and private collections in another city.
- Orientation: New members enjoy this program that includes gallery talks with curators and behind-the-scenes tours of the museum’s departments.
- CMA Special Events: Participate in key events, such as Parade the Circle.
- Volunteer Opportunities: Offer your time and talent on an ongoing basis or for one-time projects.
- Newsletter: Keep up with Womens Council activities with our Jottings newsletter, emailed on the first of each month from September through May, and once in midsummer.
- Website: Refer to our website, www.wccma.net, for information and our online membership directory.
- Roster: Peruse our printed roster that is mailed to members in the fall.
Be an active part of the Womens Council to meet new people and form friendships with others who are interested in supporting our world-renowned Cleveland Museum of Art.
In 1951, the Womens Council began the tradition of giving an annual gift to the museum. Earlier gifts were primarily pieces of artwork to add to the museum’s collection, pictured below. Later, the museum requested the Womens Council support the work of the museum financially, and the Womens Council responded. From supporting the CMA’s capital campaigns, to hosting large-scale benefits, to helping sponsor museum events like Parade the Circle and projects like audio tours for museum guests, to supporting exhibitions, education, conservation, and the library, the Womens Council has had an impact.
The Womens Council even established two endowment funds: the Flower Fund Endowment to support the weekly creation of striking floral arrangements in the north lobby and the Conservation Endowment to support the crucial work of the museum’s conservation department. In 2010, the Womens Council started an annual Philanthropic Fund campaign to raise money to add to the annual gift to the museum, and the annual gifts to the museum have grown each year.
Contact Us
For more information on joining the Womens Council, please email womenscouncil@clevelandart.org. Active members of the Womens Council may access the Womens Council website by logging in and using their password at www.wccma.net (opens in a new tab).