CINCINNATI—The Cincinnati Art Museum is embarking on exciting new public enhancements and programs for visitors and members in 2016/2017. An exceptional set of special exhibitions this year, along with changes to enhance member benefits and to provide greater accessibility for all Cincinnatians, are key components of the museum’s 2016-2020 strategic plan. In its 136th year of artistic and civic engagement, the Cincinnati Art Museum seeks to activate the power of art towards inspiring today’s Cincinnati and connecting our communities.

This fall, the museum opens two highly anticipated original exhibitions that elevate our city and offer new insights with Van Gogh: Into the Undergrowth and Kentucky Renaissance: The Lexington Camera Club and Its Community, 1954–1974. Both exhibitions represent groundbreaking new curatorial scholarship and are accompanied by full-color catalogues. Van Gogh and Kentucky Renaissance are ticketed exhibitions ($10 joint ticket for adults; $5 for children ages 6–17 and college students with ID, free admission for museum members). Van Gogh and Kentucky Renaissance are free on Thursday evenings and at the museum’s popular monthly Art After Dark events, October 28 and November 23.

Thursday evenings are a new addition to the museum’s calendar, starting November 3. The entire museum will be open from 5–8 p.m. to better accommodate the needs of today’s students, families and working professionals. By broadening access, the museum seeks to serve more Cincinnatians and visitors with its exhibitions and renowned collection of 67,000 art works across cultures and history.

Also new, as of September 27, general parking at the museum is free so that all can visit the Cincinnati Art Museum and experience 6,000 years of art history. Museum members will have the benefit of preferred parking. These spots will be marked as “member parking” spots and they will be nearest to the building in the museum’s front parking lot.

General admission is always free to the Cincinnati Art Museum’s 73 permanent collection galleries and the REC family interactive center of the museum, thanks to the Richard and Lois Rosenthal Foundation, the Thomas J. Emery Endowment and an endowment established by the Cincinnati Financial Corporation/The Cincinnati Insurance Companies.

Also in 2016/2017, new programs have been added to the museum’s already extensive program list. Programs have been designed to provide visitors of all ages with opportunities to explore world cultures, engage with artworks and contemplate big ideas.

The new, immersive programs include “Ancient Meets Contemporary,” an Antiquities-centered program in partnership with the University of Cincinnati Classics Department; “Autism Family Exploration,” designed for families with children with autism to explore the museum in a comfortable environment; “In Conversation,” a lecture series exploring what happens when two experts from different fields present their own distinct views on the same artworks; “Gallery Games,” a collaboration with 21C Museum Hotel that combines happy hour and in-gallery competition; and more.

Additional programs, dates and detailed information can be found on the calendar at cincinnatiartmuseum.org.

“By providing aspirational scholarly exhibitions, cultivating international partnerships, extending operating hours, facilitating access for all, and expanding programs and membership benefits, we are embracing our community service role. These enhancements align with the needs of our creative city and position us to lead and innovate for today’s Cincinnati,” said Cameron Kitchin, Cincinnati Art Museum’s Louis and Louise Dieterle Nippert Director.