Metropolitan Museum of Art Reopens After Five-Month COVID Closure with New Exhibitions and Safety Measures
On Thursday, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York welcomed visitors again after being closed for more than five months due to COVID-19. On its reopening day, temperature screenings were conducted for members and media. Director Max Hollein characterized two banners by Yoko Ono, titled 'dream' and 'together,' as symbols of hope. The museum is functioning at 25% capacity and has implemented safety measures, such as hand sanitizers and designated pathways. The staff count has decreased from 2,000 to 1,600, and CEO Daniel Weiss anticipates a revenue decline of $150 million, prompting the creation of a $30 million emergency fund. New exhibitions feature Héctor Zamora's 'Lattice Detour' and Jacob Lawrence's 'The American Struggle.' The Met Breuer has closed permanently, and a bike valet service is set to launch on Saturday.
Key facts
- The Metropolitan Museum of Art reopened on Thursday after more than five months of closure due to COVID-19
- The museum is operating at 25% capacity with extensive safety measures including social distancing protocols
- Yoko Ono created two banners reading 'dream' and 'together' installed on the museum's façade
- Staff has been reduced from 2,000 to 1,600 through layoffs, furloughs, and retirements
- CEO Daniel Weiss projects a $150 million revenue drop with a $30 million emergency fund established by trustees
- New exhibitions include Héctor Zamora's 'Lattice Detour' and Jacob Lawrence's 'The American Struggle'
- The Met Breuer closed permanently after its Gerhard Richter exhibition was open only nine days in March
- The museum announced its closure on 12 March for a 'thorough cleaning' amid COVID-19 concerns
Entities
Artists
- Yoko Ono
- Héctor Zamora
- Jacob Lawrence
- Gerhard Richter
- Manet
- Florine Stettheimer
- Sassetta
- Frank Lloyd Wright
- Crispus Attucks
Institutions
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Met Breuer
- Frick Collection
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- University of Virginia
- New York Times
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Upper East Side
- Hamptons
- Connecticut
- Delaware River