A student makes her selection.

Founded in 1940 by Ellen Johnson, the Art Rental
Program allows Oberlin students and members of
the community to rent two original works of art each semester. Students line up in the museum courtyard –and in some cases, camp overnight – to take home works by artists such as Toulouse-Lautrec, Picasso, and Red Grooms. With more than 400 prints, paintings, photographs and sculptures, the rental collection has something for everyone.

New this semester are two oil paintings by Reverend Albert Wagner, a Cleveland "outsider" artist who was transformed by a religious experience and felt called to change his life through art. His search for self-redemption - and his sometimes controversial message - were recently the subject of a book and an award-winning documentary film.

View an online collection of images from Fall 2009 Art Rental!

Watch a video from the Fall 2008 Art Rental!

The Art Rental collection may be previewed on Wednesday, September 9 from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Student rental takes place on Thursday, September 10, from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Open Rental is Friday, September 11 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Rented works must be returned to the museum during the week of December 7, 2009, and not later than Thursday, December 10.

Art Rental continues to follow the guidelines as they were first established by Professor Ellen Johnson in 1940: the first to arrive are the first served. These guidelines are in place to insure maximum fairness for Art Rental participants.

The start point for the line will be designated with a sign. Museum doors will open at 9 AM on Thursday morning.

Line policies include (but are not limited to):
Cutting, jumping, or saving spots in line is NOT permitted. If you leave the rental line for any extended period of time, for any reason, you will forfeit your place in line.