— The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) today announced the beginning of the first phase of a multiyear restoration of its historical Fine Arts Garden, one of Cleveland’s most celebrated public landscapes. On August 24, the museum begins implementation of an important phase of the CMA Landscape Master Plan, an ambitious initiative to preserve, restore, and renew the museum’s iconic Fine Arts Garden, enhancing accessibility, ecological sustainability, and the visitor experience.
The work marks the first major investment in the museum’s historical landscape in nearly a century and represents an important milestone in the CMA’s long-term commitment to preserving one of Northeast Ohio’s most treasured outdoor civic spaces.
The campus was designed by renowned architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. and opened in 1928. The gardens, promenades, terraces, and Wade Lagoon have long welcomed visitors while serving as one of Cleveland’s most photographed landmarks. Each spring, thousands gather beneath the cherry blossoms surrounding Wade Lagoon, a seasonal tradition that has become woven into the cultural life of the region.
“For nearly a century, the CMA’s Fine Arts Garden has been a place where people experience art, nature, architecture, and community together,” said William M. Griswold, the CMA’s Sarah S. and Alexander M. Cutler Director. “This work ensures that one of Cleveland’s most beloved public landscapes remains beautiful, welcoming, and accessible for generations to come, while honoring the vision that first inspired its creation.”
|  | Rendering courtesy of STIMSON |
“The Fine Arts Garden has long been woven into the fabric of Cleveland,” said Virginia Barbato, chair of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s Board of Trustees. “For nearly a century, it has been a place where people have celebrated milestones, admired the changing seasons, and found moments of beauty and connection. Restoring this remarkable landscape is an investment in our community and one of its most treasured public spaces.”
The first phase of the Landscape Master Plan is planned to be completed in two sequential scopes of work. Scope A begins August 24, following project planning, permitting, and initial fundraising, and is expected to conclude in Summer 2027. Scope B begins following completion of the first scope.
Phase I of the Landscape Master Plan represents an investment of approximately $24 million. Thanks to significant early philanthropic contributions—including the chair’s challenge initiated by Ellen Stirn Mavec, and transformational gifts from the Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund, Gertrude Kalnow Chisholm and Homer D. W. Chisholm, the Horace Kelley Art Foundation, the State of Ohio, and other generous supporters—the museum has secured more than $21 million toward Phase I of the construction project.
In addition, early donor support established multiple endowment funds that provide for the long-term care and maintenance of the Fine Arts Garden. This early momentum has allowed construction to begin sooner than anticipated while ensuring the landscape can be thoughtfully maintained for generations to come. The museum continues to seek philanthropic support to complete Phase I and advance future phases of the Landscape Master Plan.
The support of the Horace Kelley Art Foundation is especially meaningful, reflecting the enduring legacy of one of the CMA’s founders, Horace Kelley, whose visionary bequest helped to establish the CMA and began a tradition of civic philanthropy that continues to shape the museum and its future.
Restoring the Historical Landscape The Landscape Master Plan was developed in collaboration with nationally recognized landscape architecture firm Sasaki and serves as the museum’s long-term framework for renewing the Fine Arts Garden. The CMA partnered with STIMSON, another nationally recognized landscape architecture firm, to develop detailed rehabilitation plans and technical drawings for construction. Rather than simply reimagining the landscape, the plan seeks to restore its historical elements while introducing improvements that make the grounds more welcoming, environmentally resilient, and accessible to all visitors.
The work beginning this summer encompasses the first two of five planned scopes.
|  | Rendering courtesy of STIMSON |
Scope A: Zodiac Garden, Mall, and East and West Ovals The first scope focuses on the rehabilitation of the museum’s historical Zodiac Garden along with the Mall and new east and west Ovals, flanking the mall area on the museum’s south campus.
This work includes: Construction of new ADA-accessible walkways Creation of new east and west Ovals Rehabilitation of the historical marble and sandstone paving throughout the Zodiac Garden, Mall, and east and west Ovals Restoration of Chester Beach’s Fountain of the Waters Installation of new lawns, trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and irrigation Improvements to stormwater management and drainage New site lighting New security and information technology infrastructure
|  | Rendering courtesy of STIMSON |
Scope B: Museum Terraces and Historical South Facade The second scope focuses on restoring the museum’s south terraces and rehabilitating the exterior of the museum’s original 1916 building, which includes:
Construction of a fully accessible east terrace
Conservation and rehabilitation of the 1916 marble facade
Restoration of the marble steps and sandstone paving on the south terraces
New landscape plantings and irrigation
Stormwater improvements
Architectural lighting that highlights the museum’s historical facade
New security and IT infrastructure
Together, these projects represent the first step toward the comprehensive renewal of the museum’s historical landscape while preserving its defining architectural and horticultural character.
|  | Fountain of the Waters 1928. Chester A. Beach (American, 1881–1956). Marble. |
Conserving the Fountain of the Waters A centerpiece of the work beginning this fall is the conservation and rehabilitation of Chester Beach’s Fountain of the Waters, the beloved 1928 sculpture located at the center of the Zodiac Garden.
Installed in 1928, the fountain features two seated allegorical figures representing the rivers that feed the Great Lakes, accompanied by two children symbolizing the flowers of the riverbanks. Decades of exposure to Cleveland’s weather have resulted in cracking, discoloration, and water infiltration that now require comprehensive conservation.
Beginning August 24, the Zodiac Garden is temporarily closed to allow conservators to carefully remove the fountain for treatment. During this period, the museum also will conserve the 12 zodiac sculptures surrounding the fountain while restoring the surrounding stonework, paving, and landscape, improving lighting, and replanting gardens.
Following conservation, Fountain of the Waters will return to its historical setting with improved structural stability and preserved artistic and historical integrity. Looking Ahead The Landscape Master Plan continues over several years through additional phases that will include restoration of the historical promenades and sandstone staircases surrounding Wade Lagoon, rehabilitation of Harrison Dillard Trail, reconstruction of Wade Lagoon’s sandstone retaining walls, expanded accessible pathways throughout the campus, new outdoor dining amenities, and significant new landscape planting designed to improve ecological health while reinforcing the original design intent of the Olmsted Brothers firm.
The complete Landscape Master Plan is expected to represent an investment of more than $40 million that is implemented over several years as funding is secured. While Phase I is well underway, the Cleveland Museum of Art continues fundraising to support future phases.
Visitor Access During Construction Throughout construction, the museum’s galleries, Ingalls Library and Museum Archives, Gartner Auditorium, dining facilities, public spaces, and parking garage will continue normal operations, and exhibitions and public programs will proceed as scheduled.
Beginning August 24, protective fencing surrounds the Zodiac Garden, Mall, and east and west Ovals, while Wade Lagoon, the Nord Family Greenway, the museum’s south steps, and Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker remain accessible.
Chalk Festival, typically held each September in the Fine Arts Garden, is not taking place during the first phase of restoration and is expected to return in September 2027. Families looking for a chalk-inspired experience are invited to attend the Chalk Party (Fiesta de Tiza) on Sunday, September 6, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Community Arts Center, on Cleveland’s near west side. The museum does not anticipate any disruptions to the region's annual spring cherry blossom season surrounding Wade Lagoon.
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About the Cleveland Museum of Art The Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA) is renowned for the quality and breadth of its collection, which includes more than 68,000 artworks and spans 6,000 years of achievement in the arts. The museum is a significant international forum for exhibitions, scholarship, and performing arts, and is a leader in digital innovation. One of the leading encyclopedic art museums in the United States, the CMA is recognized for its award-winning open access program—which provides free digital access to images and information about works in the museum’s collection—and free of charge to all. The museum is located in the University Circle neighborhood with two satellite locations on Cleveland’s west side: the Community Arts Center and Transformer Station. The museum is supported in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture and made possible in part by the Ohio Arts Council (OAC), which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts. The OAC is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally, and economically. For more information about the museum and its holdings, programs, and events, call 888-CMA-0033 or visit cma.org.
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