The museum will be closed from December 22 through January 1. We will reopen on January 2 at 10 a.m.
Winter Shutdown
The museum will be closed from December 22 through January 1. We will reopen on January 2 at 10 a.m.
The Allen presents changing exhibitions along with engaging guest speakers and public programs.
Learn MoreThe Allen's collection is particularly strong in 17th century Dutch and Flemish painting, Japanese prints, early modern art, African art, and more.
Learn MoreExplore the full range of museum programs through free events, guided and self-guided tours, and resources for professors and PreK-12 teachers.
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Learn MoreSeptember 2, 2021
September 2, 2021
The Allen reopened to the public on June 2, and we are thrilled to have museum friends and regional visitors in the galleries again. We were fortunate that, as the museum has been open to those with an Oberlin College id card since August 2020, we had less of a “heavy lift” to prepare to greet the general public than did museums that had closed entirely.
Throughout the past academic year—spread over three semesters to de-densify the campus—college students and faculty made excellent use of the museum’s diverse collections, while staff took time to reimagine our public offerings, developing a new website and augmented reality tour as well as a new cell phone audio guide and scores of virtual programs. We also added to the collection: many new acquisitions are presently on view, and curators have reinvigorated our galleries with timely, thoughtful, exhibitions.
In addition to focusing on new endeavors, we recently completed important grant initiatives that have deeply impacted the museum’s work over the past several years, and will set the stage for future projects. The Freeman Foundation in 2018 provided $203,238 for programs highlighting Asian arts and culture. The Allen’s Education Department used the funds for a wide variety of programs accessible to k-12 students and community members of all ages—pivoting to virtual offerings, of course, during the height of the pandemic. Through a “touch collection” of objects that can be used in teaching and on tours, and with the robust relationships created between staff and local educators, we expect this work to bear fruit for years to come.
Similarly, the amam and the Oberlin College Libraries recently completed initiatives to advance museum and library collaboration through a $150,000 grant awarded in 2016 from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. The activities undertaken, including a national summit of academic museum and library leaders and numerous outreach activities among Oberlin staff and colleagues at other academic institutions, have laid the groundwork for greater communication and future museum-library collaboration at Oberlin, for the benefit of students and the general public.
During these months of focus on our collections, programs, and audiences, our buildings have not been neglected. This summer, the college’s facilities department partnered with us to install a new roof on the Cass Gilbert
building and adjacent areas, and to repair exterior woodwork at the Frank Lloyd Wright house.
Staff members also began a rigorous process of strategic planning, work that will inform the next five or more years of the Allen’s engagement with our communities. We look forward to keeping you abreast of this endeavor, and to its positive impacts.
As we hope you know, we enjoy hearing from community members about their experiences and wishes for the Allen—now and in the future—so please reach out if you would like to engage. We are grateful for your support, and, as always, aim to keep you, and positive experiences with the art entrusted to our care, at the forefront of all that we do.
—Andria Derstine, John G.W. Cowles Director
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