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Diversity and Inclusivity: How the Boston MFA is Promoting Change

Diversity and Inclusivity: How the Boston MFA is Promoting Change

Having grown up going to museums, it would surprise me when others would not enjoy going to museums as much as I did. Many times, I would attribute such disinterest to boredom, thinking that they just never learned how to have fun in a museum. 

Living Collections and COVID-19

Living Collections and COVID-19

Museums across the country have felt the impact of the COVID-19 and the mandatory stay-at-home orders. Thousands of employees have been laid off and furloughed as these institutions try to stay afloat without revenue from visitors. Zoos and aquariums have an extra element to juggle: 

Memorial Day and Museums Reopenings

Memorial Day and Museums Reopenings

I suppose for myself, as a History major, museums signify places of remembrance that offer more vivid understandings of the past. Of course, this is the purpose of Memorial Day as well, as we remember our service members and oftentimes hear their stories. It is only fitting, therefore, that museums should play a significant role in remembering those members of our nation’s military who died serving our country.

But what does Memorial Day in a museum look like in the midst of a pandemic?

Many museums around the country have already begun to reopen in some capacity. For example, the National World War II Museum reopened yesterday in a limited capacity, in terms of both a limited staff and a limited crowd. 25% of the museum’s normal capacity was allowed to enter and 82 of its approximately 300 member staff were laid off. The museum’s reopening required careful planning to maintain the proper safety measures: guests had the option to purchase tickets online in advance, social distancing was maintained, and cleanings happened with more frequency.

Other museums that were not in a position to reopen, even in a limited capacity, resorted to other measures to commemorate the holiday. For example, volunteers at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum in Vista, California painted the American flag on the back lawn of the property. The flag took 45 gallons of paint to complete and measures 137 feet long and 78 feet tall. Once it was completed, trumpeter Fred Ashman performed “God Bless America” and “Taps” as a tribute.

Wisconsin Virtual Commemoration

Finally, the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison held a virtual Memorial Day ceremony. Many local politicians appeared in a video to commemorate Memorial Day: Governor Tony Evers held a moment of silence and Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs Mary Kolar suggested that viewers pay their respects by flying a flag or lighting a candle at their homes.

A recruitment poster for the Coast Guard SPARs program. Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Many other museums have made their exhibits available online, as was mentioned in a previous post on this blog. Some virtual exhibits that are relevant to Memorial Day include the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s World War I-focused exhibit, “We Return Fighting.” The National Air & Space Museum offers an exhibit focused on Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) during World War II, while the National Women’s History Museum offers content on women who served in the Coast Guard during World War II in the SPARS program.

These are just a few of the exhibits and content that I found particularly interesting (I had never heard of the SPARS before!). Many museum exhibits have become available online during this unprecedented time for museums — and for us all — and this has already shaped the manner in which we commemorate holidays such as Memorial Day. So while it was definitely an unusual holiday, at least we are still able to keep learning and remembering and honoring the past.

Introducing New Editors!

Introducing New Editors!

It’s that time once again for the editors we have come to know and love to hand over the reins to upcoming editors. Congratulations to you all on your graduation! We as new editors will do our best to uphold the standards you have set 

Pandemic Play Time

Pandemic Play Time

The title is not meant to be flippant. COVID-19 and the current restrictions placed on the Tufts’ community and at large should be taken seriously. The editors are hoping everyone is safe and healthy. The goal today is to give a glimpse at what those 

How are museums handling the health concerns of COVID-19?

How are museums handling the health concerns of COVID-19?

In the past few weeks, the coronavirus (COVID-19) has been dominating international news with its rapid spread. Everyone has a part in keeping themselves and their community as healthy as possible, and that includes museums. So, what is happening with museums? Most places are responding rapidly with plans for closing if things get worse and increased cleaning precautions. Here are some responses across the country and throughout the world.  

Internationally: 

  • The Louvre closed its doors on Sunday (3/1) amid concerns from workers that their safety was at risk with the high number of visitors that travel from all over the world. However, the museum reopened on Wednesday (3/4) after the management of the museum, a doctor, and staff representatives worked together to come up with increased precautions to protect workers 
  • The Italian government drafted laws to close off the Lombardy region, and these laws included the closure of museums, among other public places.  
  • The Chinese government was the first to handle the massive battle with COVID-19, and they took swift action, ordering all museums and art galleries to close on 1/24. These institutions remain closed indefinitely.  

Domestically: 

  • On the west coast, there have been cases of increased health safety with staff members opening doors for visitors, rather than having each visitor touch the handles. There has also been one case of a museum shutdown. The San Jose Children’s Discovery Center had a staff member who may have been exposed to the disease, so they closed their doors until the proper testing could be administered to ensure the safety of their other staff members and their visitors.  
  • Today, New York state declared a state of emergency. So far, many museums have increased their cleaning procedures – the Whitney Museum of American Art has had maintenance workers double the number of times they clean doorknobs – but according to ARTnews, no major institutions have closed their doors yet. Instead, they are keeping an eye on the situation in order to respond quickly if necessary.   

Each museum will have its own response. Right now, vigilant cleaning procedures will help to mitigate the spread of germs, which is already an important procedure in flu season. Institutions in less affected areas have time to prepare for closures in the future and what that might mean for them.