CINCINNATI — The Contemporary Arts Center reopened Friday with a new timed, ticket-entry system.
What You Need To Know
- The CAC has been closed since Jan. 4 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases
- When the museum reopened Friday, it did so using a timed reservation system
- Guests get a two-hour window and have an hour and 45 minutes to tour the space; the last five minutes is for staff to sanitize surfaces
- The museum said they're "mindful" of the situation and doing what they have to do to ensure people can still safety "experience art"
Guests need to register for a free ticket online. There, they can select a start time and a two-hour window to enjoy the museum in downtown Cincinnati.
During timed ticketing, visitors will have an hour and 45 minutes to visit the gallery spaces. The last 15 minutes of the time slot is reserved for security to sanitize and clean surfaces. Masks are required.
"While we are mindful of the number of COVID-19 cases in our area, we do think it's important for people to still be able to experience art," said Marcus Margerum, interim director of the CAC.
The museum and gallery space closed Jan. 4 due to a recent local surge in COVID-19 cases. The CAC said they were doing so to “support the safety of the community and their staff.”
During this time, Fausto, the restaurant in the CAC's lobby, remained open during their normal business hours of Monday – Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 pm.
"We are offering timed tickets in an effort to create a safe environment for our guests and our frontline staff," Margerum said. "The timed slots will give visitors the time they need to see our exhibitions and allow time for our security staff to sanitize and clean surfaces before the next guests arrive."
While at the CAC, visitors can see The Regional, the first major multi-museum survey dedicated to contemporary artists based in the Midwest. It features new and recent work, including several site-responsive commissions, by about 25 artists working across painting, photography, installation and performance.
The artists come from a variety of backgrounds and are currently based Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Madison, Wisc., Minneapolis and Saint Louis. Of course, there’s art from Cincinnati-based creators as well.
The CAC's regular are Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The galleries are closed Monday and Tuesday.
For more information, visit contemporaryartscenter.org.