Dear Friend,
We’ve all heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. If only it were that simple. We now live in a time when the face-to-face contact we typically enjoy as a society poses serious risks to the health of ourselves and others. In order to stem the spread of COVID-19 and to ensure the safety of our visitors and staff, like many institutions and businesses throughout the country and around the globe, we’ve taken the unprecedented step of closing the Birmingham Museum of Art until we can responsibly reopen to the public.
Our visitors are the lifeblood of the BMA, and though our doors may be closed and most of our staff working from home, we are more committed than ever to serving our community by using our collection as a resource for reflection, inspiration, and exploration. Our team is working hard to produce educational and entertaining digital content through which you can enjoy our vast collection from the comfort and safety of your own home.
I recently began my own social media initiative, the “BMA Director’s Cut,” a Facebook Live series in which I spend several minutes discussing a single work of art. Yesterday, I spoke about our beloved Bierstadt and when I last checked, the video had been viewed by more than 2,500 people. I plan to highlight art from every area of our collection and hope you’ll join me online to explore these works together. While the reach that our digital platforms provide is exciting, I look forward to when we can welcome you back into our galleries. A museum without visitors just doesn’t feel right. Our exhibition schedule for the rest of the year remains intact, and although opening and closing dates may shift, we remain committed to providing our community with exciting and enriching experiences.
Visit our website for more details and follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Over the next few weeks, we hope to offer you moments of joy, color, and comfort as we band together remotely to navigate these challenging circumstances. I will also share updates regarding our operations as decisions are made. Meanwhile, please stay well, keep safe, and tell your friends and family how much you love them.
Yours in art,
Graham C. Boettcher, Ph.D.
The R. Hugh Daniel Director and CEO
Birmingham Museum of Art