What, exactly, will reopening look like for our arts and culture organizations? What information do leaders need to be considering right now? We’ve compiled the latest resources, data, and discussions from the field to bring you up to speed on this complex and unfolding conversation.
Photo: Attendees connect at the 2019 Arts Midwest Conference. Photo Credit: Joshua Feist.
Data and Analysis
We highly recommend Colleen Dilenschneider’s blog Know Your Own Bone for clear, in-depth data and analysis on COVID-19’s impacts on the arts sector. Here are two standout posts from the last week:
- Why Members and Subscribers Are Critical for Your Reopening Strategy
- Meeting Visitor Needs: What Will Make People Feel Safe by Age & Income
We also recommend bookmarking the Audience Outlook Monitor from nonprofit analysis firm WolfBrown.
Museums and Galleries
Resources on the reopening process for museums and galleries have started to appear in the last week. Here’s two we’re tracking:
Reopening Safety Guides from the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art
CIMAM, an international industry group with more than 35,000 members, has issued reopening safety guidelines for institutions with recommendations including ensuring all visitors wear protective masks on museum premises, suspending guided tours and large events, and screenings for visitors who appear unwell.
How to Get Ready to Open the Doors from the American Alliance of Museums
This informative yet personal blog post walks through some of the big questions and challenges inherent in reopening.
Performing Arts
No national reopening guidelines for U.S. performing arts organizations and venue have been released, even as several states reopened music venues this week.
Join the National Independent Venue Association
Over 1,200 independent venues in the U.S. have joined forces as NIVA, with the goal of protecting independent venues and promoters and sharing information in this time of “existential crisis.” Membership is free.
Discussions From The Field
We’re tracking these articles and conversations around reopening theaters, venues, and performing arts centers:
- The Post-Covid Concert Hall Catastrophe: Why Audience Attendance is the Least of Our Problems (The Middle Class Artist)
- Sir Cameron Mackintosh: ‘Theatres could be closed until next year’ (BBC)
- New Orleans to Pilot Reopen Every Venue Safely (REVS) initiative (Off Beat Magazine)
Additional resources and information
Please see our COVID-19 resource page for a rolling list of information.