One of Arkansas’ premier art institutions will be opening its doors after closing down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary will be opening up to the public on Wednesday, June 10. According to the museum, there will be “new safety measures,” including free timed tickets, that are designed to limit the potential for COVID-19 transmission.
“Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of staff, volunteers, and visitors,” Rod Bigelow, executive director and chief diversity and inclusion officer of Crystal Bridges, said in a statement. “Our team has been carefully monitoring the changing landscape and we are grateful for our local partners, health officials, and peer institutions who have provided guidance. We worked with the State of Arkansas Department of Health on a plan for a measured reopening that prioritizes safety, and that plan is now approved by the state.”
Once Crystal Bridges and the Momentary reopen, the maximum number of guests at each location will be limited. At Crystal Bridges, there will be a maximum of 30 guests per 15 minutes, and there will be a maximum of 15 guests per 15 minutes at the Momentary. Visitors will be required to register for a time slot at both locations, and individuals will receive emails prior to their visit.
According to a Crystal Bridges news release, this timed ticket protocol is designed in accordance with the state’s large venue guidelines. According to the Arkansas Department of Health (ADH)’s directive, large venues may reopen at 33 percent capacity with a plan approved by the ADH Secretary. Venues must have lines or cues for “entrance, exit, making purchases, or for other reasons [that] must be marked or monitored for maintain a distance of 6 feet between people.”
At both locations, visitors will be required to wear face coverings, per the ADH directive.
Crystal Bridges and the Momentary are reportedly working to increase contactless surfaces. The institutions will be eliminating physical tickets and transitioning to touchless transactions in the lobbies, food service areas, Museum Store and Momentary Shop. Doors will be propped up – when feasible – to reduce the necessity of touching high-traffic surfaces.
See the full list of changes and safety measures here.
READ MORE: Hutchinson Issues Directive for Large, Small Venues
Image by Dero Sanford