Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has offered hours and pages of virtual programming since it closed down due to covid-19 concerns.
But as of June 10, the doors will be open to the public once again, both at the museum and at its sister facility, the Momentary. Hours for members only will be offered at both locations June 6-8.
“With a mission to provide access to the arts, we believe in the power of art as a tool for activism, inspiration, and reflection, especially during challenging times,” says Crystal Bridges spokeswoman Beth Bobbitt. “With the health and well-being of our community as our top priority, we feel confident that we can create safe and responsible art experiences with new and extensive safety measures. We are also committed to making sure we continue offering museum resources online so visitors can take virtual tours, browse our collection [and] find art-making prompts from the comfort of their home.”
First on the list of safety measures released today is that the number of guests allowed at Crystal Bridges will be regulated by timed-entry tickets, which are free but required.
“Crystal Bridges will be limiting the number of guests by inviting up to 30 guests per 15 minutes,” new information on the website states. “These numbers are based on five people per 1,000 square feet of public space, which adheres to a one-third capacity per state guidelines for indoor venues.
“Visitors must register for a timeslot and will receive an email prior to their visit with information about how to prepare and what to expect,” the website adds. “Timed tickets will help ensure the museum has limited attendance per state guidelines.”
In addition to limited numbers on site, those who do visit will be required to wear face coverings if they are 10 or older, although the staff encourages masks for ages 2 to 9. Masks will be available at the museum.
Signage and designated paths will reinforce social distancing.
Doors will remain open to minimize the need to touch surfaces, and hand sanitizer will be provided throughout the building.
All staff and volunteers will have temperatures checked before they enter the building.
Temporary exhibit Hank Willis Thomas: All Things Being Equal… has been extended through July 13 and will be free for all visitors. State of the Art 2020 will be extended with the full exhibition on view at both Crystal Bridges and the Momentary through July 12.
Although galleries will be open, interactive works of art will not be accessible, and audio guides will be unavailable. The Frank Lloyd Wright Bachman-Wilson House, James Turrell’s Skyspace: The Way of Color and Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room will remain closed for now. The restaurant Eleven will be open at one-third capacity.
All the virtual programs patrons have been enjoying will remain online at least through June at www.crystalbridges.org.
The Momentary, Crystal Bridges’ sister facility intended for both performing and visual arts, will open for members only from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 6-8 and will resume normal hours and reopen to the public June 10. Timed-entry tickets will also be required.
The shuttle between Crystal Bridges and the Momentary will not be running.