This episode of Nonprofit Report brings together leaders from three prominent Cincinnati institutions—Cincinnati Art Museum, Taft Museum of Art, and Cincinnati Museum Center—to discuss the city’s unique museum ecosystem, its collaborative culture, and how these organizations are building inclusive, accessible, and educational spaces for all.
Guests:
Rebekah Beaulieu, President & CEO, Taft Museum of Art
Cameron Kitchin, Director, Cincinnati Art Museum
Elizabeth Pierce, President & CEO, CincinnatiMuseum Center
Interview by: Mark Oppenheim
Key Points:
- Cincinnati museums work in collaboration, not competition, to serve broad and diverse audiences in Ohio.
- Intergenerational learning is a guiding principle across institutions, from baby tours to senior programs.
- Accessibility goes beyond compliance, including sensory-friendly programming and 3D object models.
- Museums serve as economic drivers, community conveners, and civic storytellers.
- Each museum’s mission reflects its architecture, collections, and community role.
- Local partnerships and cross-institutional exhibitions enhance engagement and sustainability.
- Equity and inclusion efforts include multilingual content, neurodivergent support, and representative hiring.
- Ongoing investments include infrastructure upgrades, new exhibitions, and expanded educational outreach.
Other Points on Cincinnati Museums:
Cincinnati’s museum ecosystem is shaped by shared values of access, education, and community leadership. From the Taft Museum’s historic home to the expansive Cincinnati Museum Center and the global reach of the Cincinnati Art Museum, each institution builds on its unique strengths while collaborating on shared goals.
Leaders are expanding accessibility with intention. Quiet hours, sensory rooms, and front-door physical access ensure dignity for every visitor. Touch models and Braille are used not just for compliance—but as tools of engagement for all.
Economic impact is also central. Museums contribute nearly $500 million to the local economy annually and play key roles in regional workforce development, especially by nurturing curiosity and creativity from a young age.
From food science labs to rotating fine art exhibits, Cincinnati’s museums are redefining how cities can integrate education, culture, and inclusion.