Cleveland Museum of Art Musical Arts Department program planning files

From the museum's founding the art of music has been fundamental to its mission as an institution that represents all areas of artistic endeavor and as an educational institution. In 1918 a regular program of musical activities that included live and recorded concerts, children and adult singing, and lectures was inaugurated. The curatorship in musical arts was established in 1921 and was held by noted educator and author Thomas Surrette. A pipe organ was also installed that year, donated by Mrs. P.J. McMyler and her daughters in memory of their husband and father.

Musical programming continued under curators Douglas Moore and Arthur Quimby but blossomed under the curatorship of Walter Blodgett (1942-1974) who switched the department's focus from museum education to performance. Blodgett experimented with a wide range of programming during his tenure, featuring well known musicians as well as young artists. Contemporary music was featured in the May Festival of Contemporary Music each year that coincided with the museum's May Show exhibition. Blodgett was succeeded by Karel Paukert (1974-2004) who served as artistic director for a varied program of nearly 40 chamber music concerts in addition to playing 30 organ recitals each season. Paukert also began the Gala Music Series and Aki Festival of New Music that featured world class performers and a wide range of contemporary music.

The Department of Performing Arts was established in 1997. Massoud Saidpour was named artistic director of an ever expanding program of world music, dance, and contemporary performance. Two subscription series - VIVA! and Carnevale, were initiated and over the years featured performers from more than 90 countries. The departments of musical arts and performing arts merged into the department of Performing Arts, Music, and Film in 2004.