In what may prove to be a trend and a sign of the times, The Cincinnati Art Museum has announced that it will no longer charge for admission to its special exhibitions: "We believe it's important to make the Art Museum accessible to everyone, especially when so many people are facing economic challenges," said Cincinnati Art Museum director Aaron Betsky. "We're committed to bringing great art free to our visitors, from world-class special exhibitions to outstanding works by artists from the Cincinnati region."

This is good news, especially considering the next big show slated to appear at the museum: Surrealism and Beyond, In the Israel Museum, Jerusalem (February 15 through May 17, 2009).

Surrealism and Beyond is an in-depth survey of the Dada and Surrealism movements, selected from the Vera and Arturo Schwarz Collection of Dada and Surrealist Art from the Israel Museum, Jerusalem. Surrealism and Beyond will bring the major highlights of this renowned collection to the Cincinnati Art Museum for its exclusive showing in the United States. Over 200 works in a variety of media are featured, including works by Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, Max Ernst, René Magritte, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, and Man Ray.

Image note: Le Chateau de Pyrenees (The Castle of the Pyrenees) by René Magritte