Ready your masks, we’re going to the museum. Earlier this August, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo announced “low-risk” cultural organizations in New York City (including museums) could begin opening their doors to the public Aug. 24. With this in mind, we’ve gathered a list of New York City arts institutions that have confirmed reopening dates. We’ll update as more museums reveal plans.
Museums and cultural institutions can open in NYC starting on August 24.
25% occupancy. Timed ticketing required. Pre-set staggered entry.
Face coverings enforced and controlled traffic flow.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) August 14, 2020
Guests should expect some changes before trotting off to see their favorite masterpieces. One of the major indicators of the new art world will be the crowds — or relative lack thereof. Once reopened, institutions will be reduced to 25% capacity, with additional measures put in place to control traffic. As the health risk of COVID-19 remains, face coverings will also be required for entry. Visitors should anticipate changes in hours and ticket-purchasing requirements at some locations.
The news comes after Cuomo removed museums from the list of venues that could reopen with Phase 4 on July 20, leaving the cultural hubs in limbo with no definitive date announced as an alternative.
Note: Museums listed in order of reopening date. All times formatted in Eastern. Institutions will only be added once a reopen date is announced and posted publically.
The Museum of Modern Art
Reopens: Aug. 27; reserve timed tickets here
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Note: Admission is free for all visitors Tuesday–Sunday until Sept. 27. Extended hours for members are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Mondays. MoMA PS1 opens Sept. 17.
The Museum of the City of New York
Reopens: Aug. 27; reserve timed tickets here
Hours: Thursday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the general public, with 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. designated for seniors and high-risk individuals
The American Folk Art Museum
Reopens: Aug. 28; reserve tickets here
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Note: Member preview dates are Aug. 26 and 27
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Reopens: Aug. 29; more info here
Hours: Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Note: Member preview dates are Aug. 27 and 28. The Met Cloisters reopen Sept. 12 (hours to be announced).
Whitney Museum of American Art
Reopens: Sept. 3; reserve tickets here
Hours: Monday and Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Note: Member preview dates are Aug. 27 to 31. Extended hours for members are Monday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Morgan Library and Museum
Reopens: Sept. 5; more info here
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Note: Member preview dates are Sept. 2 to 4, with 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday and Saturday reserved for members thereafter.
South Street Seaport Museum’s Wavertree Ship
Reopens: Sept. 5; more info here
Hours: 1 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 5, 6, 12, 19 and 26
The Alice Austen House
Reopens: Sept. 8; purchase tickets here
Hours: Tuesday to Friday from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Note: One group will be allowed per hour.
The American Museum of Natural History
Reopens: Sept. 9; more info here
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Note: Opens to members Sept. 2, with extended hours from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on weekends and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursdays.
The Bronx Museum
Reopens: Sept. 9; more info here
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
The New-York Historical Society
Reopens: Sept. 11; more info here
Hours: Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Note: The museum is open to immunocompromised visitors and those aged 65+ on Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
9/11 Memorial Museum
Reopens: Sept. 12; more info here
Hours: Thursday and Friday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Note: The museum will open to 9/11 family members Sept. 11.
Brooklyn Museum
Reopens: Sept. 12; more info here
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Rubin Museum of Art
Reopens: Sept. 12; more info here
Hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Museum of Jewish Heritage
Reopens: Sept. 13; more info here
Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Note: Members and invited guests will have access to a preview Sept. 9 and 10.
New Museum of Contemporary Art
Reopens: Sept. 15; reserve tickets here
Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Note: Admission will be free through Sept. 27.
Museum of Arts and Design
Reopens: Sept. 17; more info here
Hours: Thursday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Note: The hour between 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. reserved for members and patrons 65 and over Thursday and Friday.
The Noguchi Museum
Reopens: Sept. 23; more info here
Hours: Check back for updates
Note: The museum will open for members two weeks in advance. Reservation info to come.
Intrepid Museum
Reopens: Sept. 25; more info here
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum
Reopens: Oct. 3; reserve tickets here
Hours: Check back for updates
Note: Member dates are Sept. 30 to Oct. 2.
