Cleveland real estate investor Ralph King was an important early supporter of the Cleveland Museum of Art. Although not involved in the museum's construction, he served on the advisory board in 1914 and joined the board of trustees in 1915. He served on the accessions committee and executive committee and was elected vice president in 1921. he also voluntarily served as curator of prints from 1919 to 1921.
King was also a supporter and trustee of the Cleveland School of the arts, and was especially interested in encouraging young artists. When the museum was under construction he offered a prize of $100 for the best poster to be used at the opening. He was so impressed with the entries that he offered a second and third place prize as well. The winner was Robert Roessler, a sophomore at the school. Ruth Deike was awarded the $50 second prize and Charles Burchfield was awarded the $25 third prize. There is no evidence that the posters were used to promote the opening of the museum in 1916.
