The Taft Museum of Art Preserves History While Embracing the Future

Nearly 100 years ago, a historic downtown house became much more than the home of Charles and Anna Sinton Taft. The Taft family decided to leave the house, along with their extensive art collection, to the people of Cincinnati. With that gift, the Taft Museum of Art was founded. Today, the museum is a cultural cornerstone that bridges past and present.

A House with History

Built around 1820 for businessman Martin Baum and later purchased by Nicholas Longworth in 1830, the historic house carries nearly two centuries of Cincy’s story within its walls — sometimes literally. Longworth commissioned Robert S. Duncanson, the first Black American artist to earn international acclaim, to paint eight landscape murals that are now recognized as the most significant pre-Civil War domestic murals in the United States.

Believe it or not, those iconic murals were covered with wallpaper, likely due to shifting trends in interior decoration. They were restored in 1932, with additional conservation work between 1994 and 2000. In 1986, the museum recommitted to celebrating Duncanson’s legacy with the Duncanson Artist-in-Residence program.

“Each year, throughout the last 40 years, we’ve had a Black artist come to Cincinnati through the Artist-in-Residence program,” explains Kareem A. Simpson, Duncanson Program Director. The program has welcomed renowned artists, including visual and performance artist Vanessa German, choreographer Stafford Berry, and esteemed poet Nikki Giovanni, who served as the inaugural resident.

Embracing Future Audiences

While honoring its rich history, the Taft Museum continuously evolves to engage new generations. With crucial support from ArtsWave, the museum has revitalized its Young Professionals program, creating concrete events that connect with what Simpson calls “our audience of the future.”

The museum also expands traditional definitions of art, with the Duncanson program recently welcoming Tunde Wey as its first culinary Artist-in-Residence. This willingness to innovate while respecting tradition ensures the Taft remains relevant to contemporary audiences.

As a Season Funder of the Taft Museum of Art, ArtsWave’s support enables the continued growth and success of programs like the Duncanson residency. This partnership exemplifies how community investment in the arts preserves cultural heritage while fostering innovation. Today, the Taft Museum of Art stands as a testament to how historical institutions can honor their past while creating a cultural legacy that will inspire generations to come.

This blog post is based on content from “Better Know Cincy’s Arts,” featuring the Contemporary Arts Center.