Although a reopening date has not been set yet, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary are expecting to make an announcement next week.
According to the public relations director of Crystal Bridges Museum, Beth Bobbitt, the museum has been working with the Arkansas Department of Health to create a reopening phased plan. The museum will operate at one-third occupancy during the first phase. Bobbitt noted the idea of timed tickets or selling online ticket reservations, but this has not been confirmed yet.
Steuart Walton, chair of the Arkansas Economic Recovery Task Force and grandson of Walmart founder Sam Walton, made a comment on the museum yesterday, May 22, at Gov. Asa Hutchinson’s daily COVID-19 press conference.
“They are taking some very tentative and early steps to plan their reopening. It will be cautious, slow, similar to the approach that I think the state has taken,” he said. “But I am really excited that this institution will begin to welcome guests inside again on a limited basis, reservation basis. I think it is an encouraging sign and just want to applaud the leadership there for working through this crisis.”
Bobbitt said the reopening guidelines for the museum will “mirror” guidelines from the CDC and Arkansas Department of Health which include increased sanitization and signage to inform guests. The museum is also working on making a “touchless experience” as much as possible for guests when they visit.
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art has been closed since Monday, March 16 and the Momentary has been closed since Sunday, March 15.
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