Update: Tuesday, April 7, 2020
In light of the recent announcement that schools statewide will remain closed to students through May 31, Joslyn Art Museum is extending its own closure through the end of May, joining art museums across the country in responding to the threat of Covid-19. The reprioritizing of resources, along with travel restrictions and the prospect of many additional weeks of required social distancing, has led to disruptions in the coordination of exhibitions across the country. It is with regret that we announce today that Joslyn’s summer 2020 exhibitions RODIN: TRUTH FORM LIFE and RODIN: MUSES SIRENS LOVERS, both featuring selections from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Collections, have been canceled. We also have canceled our summer Riley CAP Gallery presentation of the work of Wendy Red Star and the Mind’s Eye Gallery show Finding Sophie Blackall. We look forward to resuming our exhibition program as soon as safely and practically possible.
While we cannot invite you to our galleries right now, we remain committed to bringing art and art resources into your homes from afar. Visit us online and stay connected on social media.
Jack Becker
Executive Director & CEO
Art has the ability to offer solace in challenging times, and your financial support helps us provide virtual viewing opportunities and online resources to our community. Join or give today.
Update: Friday, March 20, 2020
Yesterday, the Douglas County Health Department directed that all public gatherings within its jurisdiction with an expected presence of more than 10 individuals are prohibited through April 30, 2020. In compliance with this directive, Joslyn Art Museum will remain closed through the month of April. A reopening date will be announced later. We recognize the rapidly changing nature of conditions and recommendations surrounding COVID-19, and therefore encourage everyone to watch your email and the Museum’s website and social media pages for additional updates.
We are filled with gratitude at the response of the Omaha community to this world health crisis. While we must remain closed, we will do our part to bring art into your homes from afar. Be sure to engage with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @joslynartmuseum. We look forward to sharing with you, and hearing from you, online.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding. May you and yours remain healthy in the weeks to come.
Jack Becker
Executive Director & CEO
Update: Monday, March 16, 2020
At this time, I am announcing the closure of Joslyn Art Museum to the public. This closure is effective today through Sunday, April 5. The Museum will reopen to staff on Monday, April 6, and to visitors on Tuesday, April 7. We remain committed to serving our community, and at this time, the best way we can demonstrate that is through closure. We join with so many in Omaha, at the recommendation of our health officials, to ensure we do our part to facilitate social distancing in our area.
We appreciate the many supporters of the Museum who are making it possible for us to pay our employees, teachers, and mentors during this three-week closure.
We recognize the rapidly changing nature of conditions and recommendations surrounding COVID-19, and therefore encourage everyone to watch your email and the Museum’s website and social media pages for additional updates.
Thank you for your continued support and patience during this challenging time,
Jack Becker
Executive Director & CEO
Friday, March 13, 2020:
As concerns deepen over the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), Joslyn Art Museum is closely monitoring the latest updates from the CDC, local health officials, and government agencies. The health and safety of our visitors, staff, and volunteers is our top priority. At this time, Joslyn Art Museum remains open and continues to serve as a welcoming space for all in our community. We recognize the rapidly evolving nature of conditions and recommendations surrounding COVID-19, and therefore encourage everyone to watch our website and social media pages for additional updates.
As circumstances surrounding COVID-19 continue to evolve, Joslyn Art Museum announces the following:
All programs and events, both Joslyn- and partner-organized, are canceled from Saturday, March 14–Monday, April 6, 2020. Our focus, in accordance with recommendations from health officials, is to cease activities that gather people in close groups.
These programs, scheduled through April, will not be held:
- Public Tours including Art Encounters & Art to Remember
- School and Private Group Tours
- Studio Art Classes and Kent Bellows Mentoring Program
- Symphony Joslyn
- Story Adventures
- Stroller Tours
- Teen Council’s Teen Movie Night
- Thursdays for Teachers
- New Member Reception
- daOMA Lecture
- River City Mixed Chorus Concert
- AIA Lecture
- Appetite for Art
- Travel with JAM day-trip to Des Moines
- Hispanic Cultural Festival
- Kent Bellows Mentoring Program Teen Exhibition & Teen Showcase
Additionally:
- Young Art Patrons Art Crawl (April 18; postponed; new date TBA)
The following precautionary steps have been taken at the Museum:
- Joslyn Art Museum has assembled a cross-departmental task force to address this challenge and prepare for all contingencies.
- All staff, volunteers, and visitors are asked to follow recommended hygiene procedures. Thorough hand-washing is key. There are signs in the restrooms that serve as reminders, and hand sanitizer is available throughout the Museum.
- Our facilities team has increased the frequency of cleaning for frequently touched surfaces (iPad screens, flat surfaces such as counter tops, door knobs, handrails, bathrooms etc.). Cleaning in ART WORKS: A Place for Curiosity is constant, and that continues.
- All Joslyn staff and volunteers are instructed to stay home if they do not feel well. Per the CDC, this is especially important in the case of acute respiratory illness or any signs of fever.
Museums serve many important functions within their communities, including providing places of calm retreat during stressful times. We never want to ask anyone to stay away, however, in this instance, please partner with us in keeping others safe. Postpone your visit if you are ill with flu-like symptoms or if you have recently traveled to a region that is experiencing widespread transmission of COVID-19.
There are many additional steps that individuals can take to reduce the spread of COVID-19. For more information about the latest public health guidelines, we recommend visiting the websites of the
World Health Organization (WHO) and the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
We recognize the rapidly changing nature of conditions and recommendations surrounding COVID-19, and therefore encourage everyone to watch your email and the Museum’s website and social media pages for additional updates.
Thank you for your continued support and patience during this challenging time,
Jack Becker
Executive Director & CEO