The Walters Art Museum is known the world over for its collection of art, which was amassed substantially by two men, William and Henry Walters, and eventually bequeathed to the City of Baltimore "for the benefit of the public". The collection presents an overview of world art from pre-dynastic Egypt to 20th-century Europe, and counts among its many treasures Greek sculpture and Roman sarcophagi; medieval ivories and Old Master paintings; Art Deco jewelry and 19th-century European and American masterpieces. Since its opening, the Walters has been a national leader in scholarship, conservation, and education.

On October 1, 2006, the Walters Art Museum eliminated its entrance fees. This important initiative will have a long-lasting impact on everyone in the greater Baltimore community. Nearly 25,000 school children visit the museum each year. Their eyes are opened to the wonders of world history, culture, and religion, through art. As the art curriculum is cut or eliminated, this sort of outreach is fundamental in fostering an interest in the arts for the next generation.

The museum provides the opportunity for everyone who enters its doors to come face to face with 5 millennia of creative achievement from a variety of world cultures. The museum boasts the largest museum collection of Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts in the US, the only Greco-Roman collection in the greater metropolitan DC area and one of the finest collections of Ethiopian Art outside of Ethiopia.

Many of these masterpieces welcome visitors not only in person but also on the Walters' newly redesigned website (www.thewalters.org). Making images from the permanent collection, a tremendous resource for all art enthusiasts, available on the website through the digitization process will further disseminate Henry Walters' vision of bringing art to the people. Everyone the world over will be able to sample what the Walters has to offer the Baltimore community.

Your donations help:
A museum today must consider its wider audience and welcome people from all racial, ethnic, social, economic and educational backgrounds. This requires time, resources and a close assessment of the mission. Most of all, it requires commitment. The Walters is committed to developing ways to engage and enrich everyone - from the 25,000 school children who visit annually to new visitors to longstanding members of the museum's family. Although this new chapter has been made possible in part by the kind assistance of local and state governments, the Walters will depend even more on the generosity of individuals and corporations to support the operating costs of this internationally-renowned museum and Baltimore treasure.

There are many ways you can get involved.

Click here to learn more:

http://www.thewalters.org