Beginning on Thursday, October 3 gallery admission is free EVERY Thursday.
“As we re-vision the museum’s role in the community, we acknowledged that everyone deserves an exciting and enriching art experience,” said museum Executive Director and CEO Mark Masuoka, “This generous gift from Smucker’s provides the museum staff valuable resources to enhance visitors’ engagement and their connection to the creative process. Free Thursday programs will make art relevant to audiences of all ages.”
http://akronartmuseum.org/newsroom/details.php?unid=4248
VIEW More: Akron Art Museum's Blog 
It seems that many art museums across the country are concerned about how to better engage the public. I see many ideas and strategies for doing this other than offering the lesser known artists in the community a venue for their work. Isn’t it possible to do both; exhibit the greats in the same building as the poor slobs who are still struggling? Many locals might actually pay to see local talent given a chance for the bigs.