Off the Walls is a series of thematic traveling exhibitions. Depending on the topic, the exhibitions contain a combination of authentic objects and reproductions including paintings, sculpture, textiles, prints, ceramics and other media.
By bringing Off the Walls to a school or community site, students, teachers, parents and organizations can learn about the Cincinnati Art Museum’s collection in alternative environments. These traveling exhibitions remain at a location for approximately one month and are accompanied by pertinent information about the works of art. At no extra cost, a Docent will visit your location and make a presentation for 50 students, or fewer, on the objects. The exhibitions lend themselves to discussions and integration of curriculum, and the objects can be handled by the students.
Pricing and Details
Each exhibition comes to your site in large cases, specifically designed to transport the objects. The charge for an exhibition is $125, including delivery and pick up and a Docent presentation. You should be acquainted with the exhibition for one week prior to the docent presentation, and your students should also be familiar with the exhibition.
Delivery of Off the Walls is the first consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday of the month. Pick-up is the fourth consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday of the month.
LookSeeDo Special Offer! When you book an Off The Walls program you can receive a special LookSeeDo presentation and hands-on art activity for an additional $50.· That is half off the regular price of a LookSeeDo program!· The program will correlate with the Off The Walls set that you requested and be cross curricular to engage your students in art as well as in your other classroom subjects.· Cincinnati Art Museum staff will bring all art making supplies needed to lead your students as they create works of art all their own! Click here for more information on LookSeeDo.
Booking an Off the Walls Exhibition
Booking an Off the Walls exhibition is easy. Follow these simple steps:
- Decide which exhibition best suits your needs. Pick a second choice in the event that your first choice is not available.
- Pick the month that you would like the exhibition.
- Once you have all the necessary information to book an Off the Walls exhibition, please call the Tour Coordinator at 513.639.2975.
- You will receive a confirmation packet three weeks prior to the delivery date.
- The cases, which hold each exhibition, are quite large. You will need to determine how and where the objects will be displayed. If they will be used on a second floor, and there is no elevator available, special preparations will need to be made.
- Deliveries take place on the first consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday of the month and pick-ups take place on the fourth consecutive Tuesday and Wednesday of the month. Please make the necessary preparations for receiving the exhibitions and returning them.
- Upon receiving your Off the Walls exhibition, please use the checklist included in your confirmation packet to make sure all objects are included and in good condition. Please call the tour coordinator at (513)639 -2975 if anything is missing or broken. Please refer to the checklist when packing the objects for pick up to assure all items are returned.
- Unpacking, displaying, repacking the objects as well as completing the evaluation sheet are the responsibilities of the organization that books the exhibition.
- At pick-up, museum staff will complete a brief condition report on the premises. Please have someone from your staff available.
We are continually trying to improve our programs; therefore, your evaluation of Off the Walls is very important to us. Please complete the evaluation form, which is enclosed in your confirmation packet, and include it with the exhibition at pick-up time.
Off the Walls Exhibition Topics
Museum Masterpieces
This exhibition demonstrates the variety and importance of objects that have been collected by the CAM over the years and displays samples of the visual arts from around the world, from ancient times to the present day.
Art of River Cultures
This exhibition includes objects from a variety of cultures, both ancient and modern, that developed along the banks of a river. The cultures of Africa (both Egypt and Sub-Saharan areas), China and India are represented, as well as our own city of Cincinnati.
African American Art
African Americans have actively contributed to the history of American arts for over 100 years. This exhibition represents artists who sought distinctively different styles of visual arts expression to reflect their identities and experiences.
Native American Art
This exhibition of selected objects demonstrates the rich culture, talents and diversity of these creative people. Native American art reflects their beliefs and was created to enrich ceremonial and utilitarian functions in daily life.
Heroes and Heroines
Throughout the ages, we have admired and idolized heroes and heroines. A hero can be a person who takes great risks to save the life of someone in trouble or someone who works very hard to promote peace and goodwill to humankind.
Animal Symbols in Art
Animals have been portrayed in art for many centuries as symbols for gods and goddesses as well as visual representation of ideas or beliefs. Learning about the lost language of symbols gives us the keys needed to gain a fuller understanding of a work of art.
The Cincinnati Story
Discover the story of a city and its culture through the art in this exhibition. The shifting frontier and the development of Cincinnati as an urban center, the rise of industry, and identity are some of the themes reflected through the art and artists represented in this exhibition.
