With the renovations complete, a world-class museum just got better. And it's still free!!
The CMA has one of the top collections in the nation and it's a reason to visit Cleveland if you love art--CMA is on par with the Met and The Art Institute of Chicago. The CMA is smaller (well, it's huge now that the renovations are done), but the collection and atmosphere is equally impressive. My out-of-town friends are always shocked that the arts/culture scene in Cleveland is so well regarded and a sight to behold (be sure to check out the orchestra if you visit Cleveland to see the museum).
The new architecture of the re-designed building is amazing. Everything from the new atrium to the redesigned ceilings that offer non-destructive natural light really up the ambiance of this museum. The collection is, of course, still impressive and rich with art of all forms and eras. The change in architecture completely improves the staging of the rooms now that sections are no longer closed off. The collections flow organically as your travel through the museum to see the different periods and styles of art. The completed renovations alone provide reason enough to visit this museum if you haven't been in a while (or if you've never been). Be sure to pause a moment and take in the atrium design from within one of the adjoining rooms. The lines of the atrium are stunning to see framed by the doorways of the different wings.