Dayton Art Institute

One of the nation's finest mid-sized art museums. Founded in 1919 as the Dayton Museum of Fine Arts, the museum also operated a traditional art school. Since its beginning, the museum has built a tradition for organizing outstanding special exhibitions. The Collection, now comprised of more than 20,000 objects spanning 5,000 years of art history, is rated as "superb in quality" by the American Association of Museums.

Admission: permanent collection - free; some special exhibits carry an admission price.

Admission (EFFECTIVE FEB. 1, 2011): permanent collection - free, but carries a suggested donation of $8 adults and $5 seniors and students; members, kids 12 and younger and those purchasing tickets to special exhibitions will not be asked for a donation; special exhibition - admission varies.