Medalta reopening to the public but pre-booking preferred
Fires, floods, and now physical distancing measures. Medalta has become a symbol of the ‘comeback’ story for Southern Alberta, but the difference this time is the feeling of community and ‘we’re in this together’ attitude within Medicine Hat. Medalta in the Historic Clay District is pleased to announce the reopening of the museum to visitors on June 16th.
Over the past month, their team has been staying abreast of the latest health guidelines, and working to implement those practices into the re-opening plan. Medalta aims to have the highest of standards in visitor experience while keeping all staff and guests healthy. To do so, they have set out guidelines including what is expected of visitors, how they plan to keep visitors safe, what is open, and what is closed. To prebook your admission after June 15th or to read these guidelines, head to medalta.org/tours.
“When we reopen, our focus will be on providing a safe experience.” says Executive Director Mike Onieu. “We are adhering closely to all restrictions and guidelines, and surpassing them where we can. In asking visitors to prebook museum tours, we are aiming to give everyone more than 2 metres of physical distance. As always, we are grateful to be part of a resilient and supportive community, and it’s a pleasure to be able to offer a heritage and cultural experience. Especially after we’ve all been hunkered down for the past few months.”
Here are the most important guidelines to note:
• Please stay home if you are not feeling well.
• Visits are encouraged to be booked online 24 hours in advance at medalta.org/tours (available June 15th). While walk in visits are not encouraged, if we have not reached our occupancy maximum of 50 guests, you may be permitted to enter.
• There will be a timed entry of 5 visitors every 15 minutes. This number may be increased if all guests live within the same household. Visitors will have 1 hour to view the museum.
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• Consider wearing a mask, if available to you. Medalta will not be providing masks.
• Keep your family unit together when walking through the museum, keeping children within reach at all times.
• The gift shop is open to the public at a 4 person maximum capacity.
Please note the amenities and spaces that are currently not available:
• The ATM and water fountains
• Hands-on and interactive exhibit features
• Limited seating is available within the museum
• Spaces for food consumption
• The Medalta International Artists in Residence Program
• The BMO Artist Lodge
Kiln rentals for the wood, salt, and soda kilns. Kiln rentals for the Electric and Blaauw Kilns are available to artists who reside in Medicine Hat
“When we closed our doors on March 18th during a time of fear and constantly changing regulations, there was certainly a lot of concern about the future of our organization that has worked so hard to be where we are today,” remarks Jessica Knodel, Marketing and Communications Coordinator. “The choice to limit physical contact was so necessary to keep our families and neighbours safe, and now as we reopen our doors, it is time to celebrate a small victory in this fight against COVID-19.”