1939

In 1939, Betty Pollak Rauh, Peggy Frank Crawford and Rita Rentschler Cushman founded the Modern Art Society. None of the women had professional museum experience, and the group first met in their homes. Through their work, Cincinnati became the third city in the nation to promote modern art. In 1940, Crawford became the Society’s first director and the Society hosted MOMA’s Picasso exhibit. The Modern Art Society later became the Contemporary Arts Center.