Detroit’s Cultural Center plans July 10 re-opening

If Detroit’s Cultural Center has its way, visitors will be able to see art, exhibits and more in person come July 10.

That’s the date the Cultural Center and Midtown Detroit have set for re-opening institutions such as the Detroit Institute of Arts, the Michigan Science Center, the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, the Detroit Historical Museum and more — all of which have been closed since mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency executive orders.

The Hellenic Museum of Michigan and the Scarab Club will also be among those re-opening, while the Detroit Public Library, the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit and the International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit will open on different dates to be announced.

Midtown Detroit’s Annmarie Borucki says that the city of Detroit has given its blessing for the re-opening plan, which adheres to health and safety guidelines established by state of Michigan working groups, as well as by Midtown Detroit and the NSF International. “We were told by the city we have to fall in line with what is expected of all retailers and small business, and as of now we’re in alignment with that,” Borucki says.

“Clearly anything can change. For everything right now this is a pretty fluid situation. Our process will adapt with whatever changes come along. We are very serious about this”

The Cultural Center reopening will be the most extensive of any arts and entertainment institutions in the state. All will adhere to capacity limits based on the buildings’ space, along with some reduced operating hours and measures including:

• Expanded cleaning and disinfection of public spaces and work areas.

• Frequent handwashing is encouraged and abundant hand-sanitation dispensers will be made available throughout the institutions.

• To be required to wear masks inside each building (guests aged 3 years and older).

• Cashless and touchless transactions will be made available wherever possible.

• Changed entry procedures and door-access points at some of the institutions.

• Limited hours and reduced occupancy loads at some of the institutions to ensure physical distancing can be maintained.

• New wayfinding around the buildings and guidelines for physical distancing to safely navigate the institutions.

Patrons are advised to check with the individual institutions, via phone or their respective web sites. Many of the institutions will be continuing the virtual programming they began during the lockdown and are also expected to offer other incentive opportunities for members and visitors.

More information and updates will be available via midtowndetroitinc.org.