Fine Arts Garden Restoration
The Cleveland Museum of Art announces the beginning of the first phase of a multiyear restoration of its historical Fine Arts Garden, one of Cleveland’s most celebrated public landscapes.
The Cleveland Museum of Art Begins Comprehensive Restoration of Historical Fine Arts Garden
Multiyear initiative launches the first phase of the CMA Landscape Master Plan, preserving one of Cleveland’s most iconic public spaces while improving accessibility, sustainability, and visitor experience for generations to come.
Rendering courtesy of STIMSON
Fine Arts Garden Restoration FAQ
The Cleveland Museum of Art begins the first phases of a multiyear restoration and rehabilitation of the historical Fine Arts Garden. The work is part of the CMA Landscape Master Plan to preserve and renew one of Cleveland’s most iconic public landscapes while improving accessibility, sustainability, and visitor experience.
The Fine Arts Garden opened in 1928 and has welcomed generations of visitors for nearly a century. Over time, the gardens, pathways, stonework, drainage systems, lighting, and other infrastructure have naturally aged. This project restores historical features while improving accessibility, ecological sustainability, and long-term stewardship of the landscape.
Restoration will begin on August 24, 2026
Restoration is expected to be completed in Summer 2027.
Yes. All galleries, spaces and amenities in the Cleveland Museum of Art remains open throughout construction. No galleries are affected, and all exhibitions and public programming continue as scheduled, with one exception: the CMA’s annual Chalk Festival goes on hiatus in fall 2026 while the Fine Arts Garden is being restored. 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 CMA’s Community Arts Center, on Cleveland’s west side.
Yes. The museum parking garage will remain open throughout the project, with normal rates applying.
The museum remains accessible throughout construction. Additional details regarding any temporary entrance changes or alternate routes is shared on this page before work begins.
Yes. Wade Lagoon will remain open and accessible during the first phases of the restoration.
Yes. The museum does not anticipate any disruption to the annual spring cherry blossom season surrounding Wade Lagoon.
Yes. Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker and the museum’s south steps remains accessible during the initial phases of construction.
As part of the project, Chester Beach’s Fountain of the Waters is carefully removed from the Zodiac Garden for professional conservation and restoration. During this time, the museum also conserves the 12 zodiac sculptures and restores the surrounding paving, stonework, lighting, and landscape.
Installed in 1928, Fountain of the Waters experienced nearly a century of exposure to Cleveland’s weather. The sculpture has developed cracking, discoloration, and water infiltration that now require comprehensive conservation to preserve its artistic and structural integrity.
The fountain returns following completion of its conservation treatment and the rehabilitation of the Zodiac Garden, which is expected to conclude in Summer 2027.
The Landscape Master Plan is the Cleveland Museum of Art’s long-term vision for restoring and renewing the historical Fine Arts Garden and surrounding campus. Developed with nationally recognized landscape architecture firm SASAKI, the plan preserves the original design intent while improving accessibility, environmental resilience, infrastructure, and visitor experience. Detailed rehabilitation plans for the first phases were developed with landscape architecture firm STIMSON.
The Landscape Master Plan continues through additional phases over several years. Future work includes restoration of the historical promenades and sandstone staircases surrounding Wade Lagoon, reconstruction of Wade Lagoon’s retaining walls, improvements to Harrison Dillard Trail, expanded accessible pathways, other amenities, and additional landscape restoration and plantings.
The Fine Arts Garden was designed by the renowned Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm and opened in 1928. The Landscape Master Plan seeks to honor and preserve their original vision while ensuring the landscape continues to serve future generations.
Phase I of the Landscape Master Plan is expected to cost approximately $24 million, of which the museum has secured approximately $21 million through generous philanthropic and public support. The complete Landscape Master Plan is expected to cost more than $40 million and is implemented in phases as fundraising continues.
The restoration of the Fine Arts Garden is part of the CMA’s historic $600 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, For the Benefit of All the People. Initial support has made the first phases possible, and additional contributions help realize the full vision of the Landscape Master Plan.
Funding for the Cleveland Museum of Art's Fine Arts Campus Restoration Project is being secured through a combination of philanthropic and public support. The approximately $40 million initiative relies on generous investments from individuals, families, foundations, trustees, corporations, and government partners who share a commitment to preserving and enhancing one of Northeast Ohio's most significant cultural landscapes. 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.
Philanthropic support plays an important role in completing the Landscape Master Plan Individuals interested in supporting the restoration of the Fine Arts Garden are encouraged to contact the CMA’s development office or visit the museum’s website to learn more about giving opportunities.
Yes. Photography will still be possible during the renovation period. While some views near construction areas may be obscured by protective fencing, the museum’s broader exterior campus offers a variety of locations featuring art, architecture, and nature. Those planning wedding, homecoming, prom or other photography are encouraged to scout the campus in advance to find locations and angles that best suit their needs.
Construction noise and disruption is kept to a minimum. Safety and visitor experience are of utmost importance to the CMA. We do everything possible to ensure a wonderful experience for visitors during this transition, as we work to preserve the experience for future generations.
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 conserves the 12 zodiac sculptures surrounding the fountain while restoring the surrounding stonework, paving, and landscape, improving lighting, and replanting gardens. 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 requires access to the museum’s historical mall and surrounding areas, which is under construction during the first phases of the Fine Arts Garden restoration. Rather than relocate the event, the museum has chosen to place Chalk Festival on hiatus. The festival is expected to return to its traditional location in September 2027, following the completion of the first phases of the restoration. 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 CMA’s Community Arts Center, on Cleveland’s west side.
The Fine Arts Garden is considered a key feature of the Wade Park Historic District, which was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
- Landscape architect: STIMSON (Boston)
- Architecture consultant: Meld Architects (Cleveland)
- Engineering consultant: GPD Group (Cleveland)
- Lighting consultant: Borealis Lighting Studio (New York)
- Irrigation consultant: Aqueous Consultants (Boston)
- Conservation consultant EverGreene Architectural Arts (New York)
- General contractor WR Restoration (Twinsburg, OH)