Denver Art Museum sets June 26 reopening date
Following an unprecedented, months-long closure, the Denver Art Museum will reopen its doors to the public on June 26.
The move follows a number of other major arts and culture nonprofits opening this week — or the next — including History Colorado, the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, and Butterfly Pavilion. All are taking advantage of loosening coronavirus restrictions while promising stringent new health and safety protocols.
In a Friday afternoon press statement, Denver Art Museum officials promised “a nearly contactless experience for visitors,” starting with a members-only test run on June 25. The reopening will be the first time visitors can see the exhibition “Natural Forces: Winslow Homer and Frederic Remington,” which will remain on view through Sept. 7.
“Additionally, the museum will open the exhibition ”Norman Rockwell: Imagining Freedom” on June 26, and it will be on view through Sept. 7, officials said. “A revised timeline for unveiling the newly renovated Martin Building and new Sie Welcome Center will be announced at a later date.”
While the museum hopes new experiences like “The Light Show” and “Treasures of British Art” are enough to bring back casual fans, its overall plans have been dealt a major blow. Just before the coronavirus pandemic hit, the museum was on track to give the public a look at its years-long, multimillion-dollar renovation and construction project on June 6.
That obviously didn’t happen. But finishing touches on the three floors of renovated and new art galleries, classrooms, a restaurant and cafe, and glass-walled welcome center continue as part of the $150 million project.
Here’s what you need to know about returning, according to museum staffers:
• Advance purchase of timed and dated tickets online is required. Call 720-913-0130 or go to denverartmuseum.org to purchase.
• Masks must be worn when entering and visiting the museum, following the city of Denver’s public mask requirement.
• Entry will be through the main Hamilton Building entrance, and all visitors will exit through the museum’s studio doors to ensure entry and exit is managed with maximum social distancing between groups.
• The Hamilton Building’s Callahan Café will be closed initially, and limited shop items will be available for purchase upon exit through the studio.
• Hands-on artmaking spaces and activities will not be offered due to new sanitation safety procedures.
• Contactless and motion-activated hand sanitizer stations will continue to be offered throughout the museum, located at the entrances and exits of spaces and near bathrooms.
• A maximum of 100 people will be allowed into the museum per hour with no more than 350 people within the museum at one time, and social distancing procedures will be implemented in the galleries and elevators.