Hi all,
It's a new world for us as museums across the world are deciding to cancel programs and even close their doors temporarily. I thought it might be a good idea for us to have a space to discuss this and share decisions we are making at our own institutions as well as specific PR wording that we are using to communicate with the public.
Sharing these statements could be particularly helpful to our members who perhaps don't have PR staff with the experience to artfully craft these kinds of important announcements.
Info on a webinar:
We are hosting a webinar on managing through crisis in museums during
Crystal Bridges has put this at the top of all our webpages:
The safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers is our top priority. Crystal Bridges and the Momentary remain open, but have canceled public programs through the end of April to support efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19. Follow our updates.
This had been a previous statement
The safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers is our top priority.
Like institutions around the globe, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary are closely monitoring reports and following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines re: the new strain of Coronavirus (version COVID-19). Based on CDC recommendations, we are encouraging visitors, staff, and volunteers to follow guidelines for washing their hands and staying home if they’re sick. We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection schedules, restricted non-essential staff travel, and will continue to keep your safety as our top priority. At this time, all tours are cancelled and the Studio art-making space is closed. We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and provide updates as needed.
This had been a previous statement from still earlier in the week:
Like institutions around the globe, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary are closely monitoring reports and following Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines re: the new strain of Coronavirus (version COVID-19). Based on CDC recommendations, we are encouraging visitors, staff, and volunteers to follow guidelines for washing their hands and staying home if they’re sick. We’ve increased cleaning and disinfection schedules, restricted non-essential staff travel, and will continue to keep your safety as our top priority. At this time, there are no changes to our schedule for programs and events. We will continue to monitor this evolving situation and provide updates as needed.
What we have heard so far, please, share any details that you might have.
Closed:
Arkansas Arts Center
AGFC Nature Centers (state wide)
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art - Closing March 16 - March 31
Curran Hall visitor center
Heifer Village and Urban Farm March 13-20
MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History March 13 - March 29
Shiloh Museum of Ozark History March 16 - end of April
State Capitol
Canceling Programs and Tours:
Arkansas Museum of Discovery - Open but limiting simultaneous attendance to 200
Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas - Suspending public programs, open to the public
CALS - all programs
Central High - all programs
The Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum is closed to the public and all programs canceled until March 30.
Delta Gateway Museum in Blytheville is closed to the public until further notice. Staff will still be in the office most days.
kxwessels@ualr.edu
