OMA Award Spotlight - Cleveland Museum of Natural History
Recognizing excellence in Ohio museums during Arts and Humanities Month
To help celebrate October as Arts and Humanities Month, and to kick-off the call for nominations for this year's OMA awards, we'll be highlighting our 2024 OMA Award of Achievement winners throughout the month with our OMA Award Spotlight. We are featuring these Award Winner Spotlights during Arts and Humanities Month to help champion the amazing projects, programs and professionals that make Ohio's museum community strong.
The Awards of Achievement are presented to reflect the outstanding quality and caliber of work by Ohio museums and their professionals in two categories: Institutional Achievement Awards and Individual Achievement Awards.
Nominations for these awards are incredibly detailed. This in-depth process helps to illustrate how these institutions and individuals have gone “above and beyond” the normal call of duty to support their institution, serve their public and advance the cause of the museum community.
Each year, the review panel is overwhelmed by the outstanding projects, innovative programming and dedication to our field as exhibited in each of the institutional and individual nominations. Congratulations again to each of our 2024 award winners!
Today, we'll be finishing up the celebration of this year's award winners by featuring the recipient of the 2024 award for Institution of the Year.
Cleveland Museum of Natural History
In December 2024, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History unveiled its $150 million transformation, completely reimagining its exhibits and architecture to deepen connections between visitors, science, and nature. The expanded 375,000-square-foot space features immersive galleries, interactive displays, outdoor spaces, and dynamic research integration.
Recognizing the need to transcend static exhibits and chronological narratives, the Museum’s vision centered on placing visitors at the center of the story of life on Earth. The objective was to forge a cohesive narrative that connects human health, planetary health, and the greater story of life on our planet, fostering curiosity and inspiring a lifelong passion for learning.
The Museum collaborated with architectural partner DLR Group and exhibit design firm G&A to integrate Northeast Ohio’s unique geological and ecological history into its architecture and exhibits. Drawing inspiration from the glaciers that shaped the Great Lakes region, the building’s design features flowing, organic forms that echo Ohio’s natural heritage. The overarching mission is to promote healthy humans, a healthy planet, and a better future for all by emphasizing science education, sustainability, and meaningful connections with nature.
The transformation was supported through a diverse funding model including philanthropic donations from individuals, foundations, and corporations, grant support, in-kind contributions, and significant staff dedication, with all efforts managed within the Museum’s $23 million annual operating budget.
Thanks to strategic design choices that put accessibility, relevance, and environmental stewardship at the forefront of every decision, the Museum became the first in the U.S. to achieve LEEDv4 BD+C NC Platinum certification.
The reimagined spaces and exhibits include the Larry Sears and Sally Zlotnick Sears Dynamic Earth Wing, the Evolving Life Wing, the Ames Family Curiosity Center, and the Visitor Hall. Active scientific research is now embedded into museum exhibits, offering visitors a chance to interact directly with scientists and ensuring exhibits remain aligned with the latest discoveries while encouraging guests to ask questions, explore hypotheses, and deepen their connection to science.
This groundbreaking redesign offers inquiry-based learning and a unified story of life on Earth, solidifying the Museum’s role as a leader in education, accessibility, inclusivity, and community engagement.
As our reviewers noted, “the Cleveland Museum of Natural History has set a new standard around the possibilities for next generation museum development.”
Do you know an institution that embodies the best of what Ohio museums can be? Be sure to nominate them for the 2025 award for Institution of the Year! Learn more here.