Open or airtight? Local museums welcome back visitors as COVID-19 restrictions elevator slowly

As we emerge from a menstruation of statewide closures mandated by Gov. Tim Walz'south executive order in Nov, some local museums are beginning to reopen.

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Emily Urfer

The Minneapolis Institute of Art on Monday, December. 7. The MIA volition exist reopening to the public on January 28.


Published January 22, 2021

While some museums are making plans to take visitors as COVID-19 closures and restrictions begin to lift, others accept yet to brand plans for reopening. Here is a list of local museums and their current status as nosotros move further into 2021.

The Bakken Museum: Open

The Bakken Museum reopened its doors to the public on January 12. The museum is open Tuesday through Sun 10 a.m. to 5 p.yard., with admission requiring a reserved arrival time and a set capacity of thirty guests per 60 minutes.

During the menstruation of closure in the spring of 2020, the museum began development on a new program called the "Bakken Museum clubhouse," a program focused on tutoring and assisting students experiencing the difficulties of social distance learning.

"Nosotros're excited to welcome visitors back to The Bakken Museum with conscientious wellness and safe measures in identify," said Joe Imholte, the Bakken Museum's Vice President of Programs and Operations. "STEM literacy has, peradventure, never mattered as much every bit it does now. As a museum focused on innovation and inspiration we invite guests to explore Stalk concepts and inquire questions in a fun and welcoming environment."

The Bell Museum: Closed

The Bell Museum, located on the University of Minnesota'due south St. Paul campus has set no specific dates, just hopes to reopen to the public sometime in early March, according to their website.

Minneapolis Institute of Art: Opens January 28

MIA will be welcoming dorsum visitors on Thursday of next calendar week. The staff is taking fourth dimension to ensure a rubber opening. The institute is enforcing masks and social distancing, and asking visitors to book tickets alee of fourth dimension on its website. The museum is admitting 150 visitors at a fourth dimension, and will be unable to have walk-ups.

The establish's Master Appointment Officer Kristin Prestegaard discussed some of the virtual gallery events beingness offered currently. "We really are excited that nosotros've congenital upwards a lot of virtual and digital programming, like all museums take," she said. "The beauty is that we're open up for those who feel comfortable, but we still have robust offerings for the majority of people who volition experience MIA about."

Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery: Open

The doors are open, and the new exhibit "Art is My Weapon" by Nikki McComb is on brandish at present at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum. The museum asks visitors to sign in and have their temperature taken before entry, and only a sure number of guests are permitted to enter at ane given time. Social distancing practices are mandatory as visitors move throughout the exhibits. Visitors can annals online at the museum website.

Co-founder and Operations Coordinator Coventry Cowens says she hopes the museum can continue to safely bring intriguing and provocative historical exhibits to the public.

"Nosotros are open now and will continue to employ the COVID-19 procedures implemented. Many of our visitors are senior citizens and nosotros desire them to feel comfortable in the Museum," Cowens said.

The Museum of Russian Fine art: Open

The Museum of Russian art is open to the public with no reservation required. The museum is open ten a.m. – 5 p.m. on weekdays, ten a.m. – iv p.one thousand. on Sabbatum and one p.grand. – v p.m. on Sundays. The museum offers a special time slot Tuesdays and Thursdays, opening one hour early specifically for essential workers and the immunocompromised. Currently, museum capacity is set at 60 people.

Weisman Art Museum: Closed

Located on the Academy of Minnesota campus, the Weisman Fine art Museum has withal to make plans for reopening.

The Walker Arts Heart: Airtight

The Walker Arts galleries and store will continue to remain closed to the public with no date gear up for reopening.