Cincinnati Art Museum announced today that it is temporarily suspending in-person visitation to slow the spread of Covid-19.
The museum will take a “community health break in support of health care workers and Cincinnatians” starting tomorrow, Nov. 21, through Dec. 14.
The outdoor Art Climb will remain open, and CAM’s digital offerings will allow the community to stay engaged with the museum during this time.
Cameron Kitchin, Cincinnati Art Museum’s director, said the decision is voluntary, and that the museum considers it a responsibility to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
“Community wellness, in all of its dimensions, is our guiding force at the Cincinnati Art Museum. Today’s decision is difficult, yet our museum is clear-eyed about our place in civic responsibility,” Kitchin said in a statement.
The museum intends to reopen in time for its big upcoming show, “Frank Duveneck: American Master,” opening on Dec. 18.
The museum’s Terrace Café and the Museum Shop will be temporarily closed, but online Museum Shop sales will be available. All in-person museum programming will be temporarily stopped, and the Rosenthal Education Center (REC) and the Mary R. Schiff Library will be closed during this time.
The Art Climb, the new civic and art space on the grounds of Cincinnati Art Museum, will remain open and available to the public all day, every day. Three artworks were recently added, including a sculpture from artist Chakaia Booker and two pieces from Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum’s collection.
The museum will be connecting with visitors virtually with CAM Connect, a robust Facebook group that provides unique content including artwork features, videos, guided art-making activities, a virtual book club, and more. In addition, thousands of works of art from the Cincinnati Art Museum’s permanent collection can be viewed online on CAM’s website and through Google Arts & Culture.
Limited staff will be working in the museum during the public closure. All staff that can work remotely will be doing so. Museum staff will be paid during this time.
Cincinnati Art Museum said in its release that it will be examining all safety procedures and will be using the latest community health information and scientific recommendations to make decisions and ensure that the museum remains among the safest place to visit, to learn and to work across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.
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