French art press demands immediate museum reopening in open letter to Macron

On February 6, 2021, a group of ten editors from prominent French art publications, including Fabrice Bousteau of Beaux-Arts Magazine and Catherine Millet from artpress, sent a letter to President Emmanuel Macron advocating for the reopening of museums and art centers that had been shut down due to COVID-19. They stressed the significance of experiencing art firsthand and noted that art enthusiasts could adhere to health guidelines. The editors suggested a phased reopening on weekdays until 6 PM, pointing to successful precedents in Italy and Spain. They also referenced Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot's remarks from January 12 regarding controlled reopening. The letter underscored the financial implications for private heritage sites and the wider community of artists and art professionals. The Palais de Tokyo in Paris is featured in the cover image.