Art is known to imitate life, and 2020 is no exception.
In the first weeks of March, the North Carolina Museum of Art closed its doors in the wake of COVID-19. Almost six months later, NCMA is welcoming visitors back on Sept. 9 in person, with new social distancing and COVID-19 guidelines.
Due to the efforts of staff, such as Director of Visitor Experience Janis Treiber, there has been no lull in the public’s ability to interact with art since March. Over the past six months, there has been consistent facilitation of online museum experiences and art for people of all ages.
Treiber and her team have gone by NCMA’s COVID-19 protocol since March. Last Tuesday, when Gov. Roy Cooper opened up museums and other gatherings, the museum was optimistic.
“The museum was ready to welcome the people back as quickly as possible,” Treiber said.
Treiber and NCMA said they want North Carolinians to continue to enjoy art while feeling safe during these uncertain times.
“We have an obligation to them,” Trieber said. “It is their art to come see, so we feel a compulsion to make sure that happens quicker than another place might.”
Free timed tickets are now required of all visitors, Director of the NCMA Valerie Hillings said in a welcome back video. There are specified entry and exit doors on both buildings, locker use is suspended and all galleries have one-way traffic outlined by stanchions and arrows.
NCMA is also leaving no room for negligence. Every door that visitors pass will be accompanied by a guard in mask and gloves who will show them where they are and aren’t allowed.
