Richmond, Virginia — Richmond area cultural institutions including museums, attractions and other sites have released a joint statement as Virginia continues to lift additional COVID-19 restrictions.
The statement, endorsed by several cultural institutions in the area, reflects a set of shared values and provides visitors, staff and volunteers with a unified response during this challenging time. Included is a list of shared protocols and safety measures that gives visitors a clear idea of what to expect in the coming weeks and months as these organizations reopen.
The joint statement reads:
As our Commonwealth enters into Phase 2 and our city prepares to, we want to assure all attendees that we are committed to providing everyone with safe, secure and supportive access to our facilities. In the midst of a pandemic and a region-wide reassessment of our fraught racial history, we believe our cultural resources play an important role during these uncertain times. While we anticipate most sites will open in some capacity by early July, we will continue to use these shared principles and the facts on the ground to ensure the best experience for our visitors.
Signed,
Agecroft Hall and Gardens
The American Civil War Museum
The Black History Museum And Cultural Center of Virginia
The Branch Museum of Architecture and Design
The Children’s Museum of Richmond
Henricus Historic Park
The Institute for Contemporary Art
John Marshall House
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
The Library of Virginia
Maymont
The Poe Museum
Preservation Virginia
St. John’s Church Foundation
The Science Museum of Virginia
The Valentine
The Virginia Holocaust Museum
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA)
The Virginia Museum of History and Culture
The Wilton House Museum
Visitors and Staff
- Facemasks will be required of visitors, staff and volunteers (as required by Executive Order), with exceptions for young children.
- Capacity will be reduced to provide guests space to socially distance. In some cases, pre-registration/timed tickets may be required.
- Contactless payment and use of credit/debit cards for purchases will be strongly encouraged.
- Social distancing will be required, and may be encouraged with barriers, designated walk routes and additional signage.
- Hand sanitizer and similar options will be available at all institutions.
Programs and Experiences
- Programming will be temporarily suspended to reduce contact within large groups.
- Alterations or adaptations to hands-on exhibits and experiences will be made to reduce interactions with high-touch surfaces.
Cleaning Protocols
- Cleaning protocols will be expanded, especially in restrooms and high-touch areas.
- Each site will clearly post their institution-specific guidelines and protocols on their websites, on social media and onsite.
About the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, Virginia, is one of the largest comprehensive art museums in the United States. VMFA, which opened in 1936, is a state agency and privately endowed educational institution. Its purpose is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret art, and to encourage the study of the arts. Through the Office of Statewide Partnerships program, the museum offers curated exhibitions, arts-related audiovisual programs, symposia, lectures, conferences, and workshops by visual and performing artists. In addition to presenting a wide array of special exhibitions, the museum provides visitors with the opportunity to experience a global collection of art that spans more than 6,000 years. VMFA’s permanent holdings encompass nearly 50,000 artworks, including the largest public collection of Fabergé outside of Russia, the finest collection of Art Nouveau outside of Paris, and one of the nation’s finest collections of American art. VMFA is also home to important collections of Chinese art, English silver, French Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, British sporting and modern and contemporary art, as well as renowned South Asian, Himalayan, and African art. In May 2010, VMFA opened its doors to the public after a transformative expansion, the largest in its history.
The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is the only art museum in the United States open 365 days a year with free general admission. For additional information, telephone 804.340.1400 or visit www.VMFA.museum.
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Media Contacts
Jan Hatchette | 804.204.2721 | jan.hatchette@VMFA.museum
Amy Peck | 804.204.2680| amy.peck@VMFA.museum
Ume Farwa | 804.204.2702 | ume.farwa@VMFA.museum
200 N. Arthur Ashe Blvd., Richmond, VA 23220