VMFA Reopening: What to Expect

FAQs

Are there different days/hours of operation?

We have resumed our regular hours of 10 am to 5 pm daily with extended hours Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday until 9 pm.

Will I have to wear a mask when visiting VMFA?

Yes, face covers have been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of infection, especially when combined with social distancing. Disposable masks are being provided to museum visitors who arrive without them. All staff and volunteers are also required to wear masks.

What precautions is the museum taking to ensure the well-being of visitors, employees, and volunteers?

Visitors to VMFA will notice several measures in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 with the well-being of visitors, volunteers, and employees in mind.

We have increased the cleaning and sanitization of the museum’s facilities and campus with special attention to high-contact areas.

Separate locations for entering and exiting the museum are established. Visitors now enter the museum through the main entrance near the McGlothlin Wing on the first floor and exit near the Art Education Center located off North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, also on the first floor.

All employees will be required to wear masks, and they have been provided with washable, reusable cloth masks. All visitors will be required to wear masks too; disposable masks are provided to visitors who do not bring their own.

Hand-sanitizing stations are available at multiple locations throughout the museum.

To minimize contact, credit card–based payment processes are in place, and interactive stations will be closed.

VMFA’s fine dining restaurant Amuse is also open with limited seating. Reservations are required.

To protect visitors, volunteers, and staff, clear acrylic partitions are installed at Visitor Services, in the VMFA Shop Best Café , and at all public-facing workstations.

Have the locations of entrances and exits changed?

Yes, to help maintain a healthy environment within the museum, we have established one entrance and a separate exit. Visitors now enter the museum through the main entrance near the McGlothlin Wing on the first floor and exit near the Art Education Center located off North Arthur Ashe Boulevard, also on the first floor. Directional signage is installed to help guide visitors.

How does admittance work?

To help maintain physical-distancing standards, entrance to ticketed exhibitions will be timed. To aid with physical distancing and limit surface contact, we encourage using debit cards, credit cards, and Apple Pay—instead of cash—when paying for tickets, merchandise, or food at VMFA. Visitors should maintain six (6) feet of physical distance between themselves and others while inside the museum and outside on VMFA’s grounds, including the Sculpture Garden.

Can visitors check personal items?

Visitors should plan to carry personal items with them. To minimize contact, we will not check coats, bags, and other personal items. Reminder: Large bags and parcels (8x13x16), bags carried on one’s back, and umbrellas are not permitted in the galleries.

Are wheelchairs available for visitors to use?

Wheelchairs will be available upon request. All equipment is sanitized after each use.

How are physical (social) distancing measures implemented in the museum?

While inside the museum, we request that visitors maintain a physical distance of six (6) feet or more between themselves and others. Signage on the floor and trained staff will help visitors maintain the required distance.

How often is VMFA cleaned and sanitized?

The museum is cleaned daily while high-touch areas and restrooms are cleaned throughout the day. Wheelchairs, available upon request, are sanitized after each use.

Can group tours be scheduled?

In keeping with physical distancing standards, group tours cannot be scheduled at this time.

How are summer classes, programs, events, performances, and tours affected?

For the remainder of the summer, all in-person Early Childhood programs, Kids camps, Teen camps, and Adult Studio School classes, and K–12 Adult-Guided and Self-Directed tours are canceled. Art History classes for summer 2020 are being offered online with Zoom. In lieu of in-person experiences, VMFA will continue to create video content for all ages, exploring art making, collecting, and more! Visit www.vmfa.museum/Learn and search for Art Activity videos. We are also planning online classes for teens and exploring the possibilities of pop-up classes in the Sculpture Garden later in the summer. We will update schedules and offerings on our website accordingly as developments occur.

How are fall studio school, art history classes, and programs affected?

Fall 2020 registration for Adult Studio School, Art History, and Lectures begins August 3 for VMFA members and August 10 for non-members. To adapt to ongoing safety concerns, the fall class lineup consists of both virtual formats and onsite, reduced-capacity studio formats. Those registering for all studio classes requiring onsite attendance will receive registration information and emailed confirmations that include information about classroom cleaning and safety protocols. Art History classes not offered virtually will be held in the museum’s Cheek Theater with regular enrollment limits and abundant space for physical distancing.

If the museum must cancel activities due to mandated restrictions related to COVID-19 developments, VMFA will refund registration fees for onsite classes.

All other program offerings have been reimagined as virtual experiences. Distance learning programs are available for upper-level elementary through college students. Onsite-touring options for the fall are yet to be determined.

How are fall Youth and Teen Studio Classes and Early Childhood Classes affected?

To adapt to ongoing safety concerns, the fall class lineup consists of both virtual formats and onsite, reduced-capacity studio formats. This fall, we are taking a phased approach to registration release dates for youth, teen and early childhood classes. For onsite classes, this will allow us to thoughtfully and carefully compile and communicate cleaning and safety protocols for each specific age level and class structure so registrants have all the information they need when they enroll. Those registering for all studio classes requiring onsite attendance will receive registration information and emailed confirmations that include information about classroom cleaning and safety protocols.

Registration for Youth and Teen Studio classes begins August 17 for members and August 24 for non-members. Youth and Teen programs will consist of hybrid, in-person or virtual formats, and VMFA will distribute supplies safely and conveniently.

Registration for Early Childhood classes begins August 24 for members and August 31 for non-members. Early Childhood Education classes will be offered virtually September and October; visit the ECE page for more information.

If the museum must cancel activities due to mandated restrictions related to COVID-19 developments, VMFA will refund registration fees for onsite classes.

Learn more about Youth & Teen Program precautions.

Can I use cash to pay for admission, or purchases in the Shop, Café or Amuse?

To help prevent the spread of viruses, we encourage using debit cards, credit cards, and Apple Pay instead of cash when paying for tickets, merchandise, or food at VMFA. Cash payments are allowed, but they are not preferred.

How will visitors be able to eat at Best Café or Amuse?

Diners can eat on site though seating is limited as tables are spaced to maintain physical distancing standards. Amuse will also be open with limited seating; reservations are required.

Will the VMFA Shop be open?

Yes. Shoppers are admitted into the VMFA Shop in limited numbers to maintain physical-distancing standards. Clear acrylic partitions will offer protection during transactions at check-out stations.

Can I visit the Sculpture Garden?

Yes. The Sculpture Garden has remained open during the pandemic. Still, we encourage visitors to maintain physical-distancing standards and wear masks even when outdoors to help prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus.

Is the Library open?

Not yet. The Library will reopen in September, by appointment only. The space is currently being redesigned to ensure public computer terminals, kiosks, reference desk, stacks, and equipment are spaced apart to maintain physical distancing. In addition, study kiosks are being fitted with partitions.

We encourage you to continue to follow the precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control. You may also visit the Virginia Department of Health for information as it pertains to the Commonwealth of Virginia. In general, heed the advice of health professionals and stay home if you are sick.

If you have any questions or concerns about the museum’s operating status, contact info@vmfa.museum or call 804.340.1400.