Museum seeks public input on reopening
Surveys expected to gauge comfort levels of visitors
When Orlando Museum of Art reopens on June 2, its patrons will have something to say about how it happens.
Across Central Florida, art galleries and museums are weighing safety protocols for opening their doors after coronavirus-caused shutdowns. Orlando Museum of Art, in Loch Haven Park, is inviting its supporters to participate in the discussion.
“We’re certainly going to take recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and local government,” said Jimmy Sherfey, the museum’s marketing and public-relations manager. “But we want to know what our members are feeling. They are the museum.”
The museum has emailed a members a survey about returning and later sent it to those who receive its newsletter. For the general public, the survey will be available at the museum’s website.
All arts organizations, whether theater- music- or artbased, are struggling over how and when to reopen. The museum’s survey will provide some of the first insight into how ready the cultural community at large is to return.
The survey poses questions about people’s comfort level in returning to public spaces. “Which of the following would make you feel safer?” it asks, giving options such as socialdistancing reminders, mandatory masks and temperature checks.
The museum also tries to gauge the balance between economic and health concerns, asking if patrons would be willing to pay more for special events if attendance was curtailed to make social distancing easier.
“You can’t necessarily invite 800 people or 1,000 people into a space,” Sherfey said.
Since the museum shut down in March, there has been increased demand for online content, and executives are trying determine if a high level of digital programming should continue even after the museum reopens.
So far, about 10% of members have responded to the survey, and many were enthusiastic about online offerings.