It took Chicago artist Myron Laban six months to create his new collection, “Sitting With My Thoughts,” a collection he says is some of the best art he’s ever made. But when it came time to showcase his work this November, there wasn’t the usual fanfare that comes with celebrating that hard work.
Chicago museums and galleries have faced tough decisions about how to operate since COVID-19 caused the area’s first mandated closing in March 2020. Then, in November, statewide restrictions put in place by Gov. J.B. Pritzker caused a second closing for those that had just recently reopened in the fall; some had not reopened at all.
But not all organizations have been able to be as nimble. An October survey by the American Alliance of Museums shows that nationwide, nearly one-third of museums felt they were either at significant risk of closing permanently or just simply didn’t know if they could survive the pandemic; more than half had to furlough or lay off staff—a sobering fact that also extends to some of Chicago’s largest and most popular museums.
As museums work to keep value in memberships, another unforeseen loss in revenue is the inability to rent out museum and gallery spaces for large private events.
In addition, Key says the museum has prioritized its support for Chicago-based vendors and artists by promoting their merchandise in its retail store, which is available online.
As museums and galleries continue to open, their spaciousness and ability to control the flow of visitors generally categorize them as lower risk activities. Reopened museums are still often way below their minimum threshold of allowed visitors, the Association of Midwest Museums’s Counts says, but it’s important to remind the public that these cultural institutions can be a form of needed respite from the confines of their home.
