The Honolulu Museum of Art (HoMA) is thrilled to announce it will reopen to the public on Thursday, July 16 with new hours geared toward Hawai‘i residents and several new safety protocols in place, after a nearly four-month closure due to the government’s statewide “shelter-in-place” order in late March.
“Utilizing social media and digital outreach, our focus throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been to act as an oasis of art, culture and conversations for our audiences here and throughout the country during a very difficult time,” said Director Halona Norton-Westbrook. “As the community embarks down a path to recovery and new norms, we are truly excited to welcome everyone back to reconnect with the art that we’ve all missed, and surround ourselves in the uplifting and healing environment that our museum represents.”
Upon reopening, the museum will adjust its days of operation to Thursdays through Sundays and introduce new evening hours. This new schedule will allow the museum to ease back into full operations and allow for maximum accessibility for the community. HoMA will have evening hours on the weekends for the first time since 1972, when it became the first museum in Hawai‘i to do so.
The museum’s new hours are:
- Thursdays – 10am to 6pm (extended two hours)
- Fridays and Saturdays – 10am to 9pm (new evening hours, extended five hours)
- Sundays – 10am to 6pm (extended two hours)
“HoMA has always been a gathering place for the local community and we’re adjusting our hours to reflect that commitment,” said Deputy Director Allison Wong. “Being open in the evenings will allow local residents who work during the week to relax, unwind and get away from it all in our art galleries and courtyards, much like you might take in a movie or go to a restaurant for an evening out on the weekend.”
The HoMA Café will be open and observing safe social distancing with grab-and-go menu items, as well as drinks and refreshments. “The idea is that you can gather safely and enjoy an evening beverage under the stars in our courtyards,” said Food and Beverage Director Josh Hancock. “We’ll have options for keiki and adults, so that the whole family can enjoy the unique experience of being in the art museum at night.”
Pau Hana Fridays for kamaʻāina
As a part of HoMA’s ongoing commitment to being accessible and welcoming to the local community, the museum is excited to partner with Hawaiian Airlines® Bank of Hawaii World Elite Mastercard® to extend free admission to all Hawai‘i residents every Friday from 4-9pm through September 11. “We remain committed to elevating the art experience through our longtime partnership with the museum and believe this rare evening setting is a great opportunity for residents from across the islands to reconnect with family and friends in a fun and enriching atmosphere," said Avi Mannis, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Hawaiian Airlines.
Exhibitions
One of the most exciting aspects of HoMA’s reopening is the extension of 30 Americans, which will remain on view through September 6. The highly acclaimed national traveling exhibition features works by 30 contemporary artists connected through their African American cultural history, and was well-received prior to the museum’s abrupt closure in March.
Presence features abstract and figurative paintings, sculpture, and works on paper by eleven modern and contemporary African American artists. Works in this exhibition are from the museum’s permanent collection.
The ongoing Hokusai’s Mt. Fuji is an in-depth exploration of Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji, one of the most famous ukiyo-e series in HoMA’s collection.
New health and safety measures
Like all other public venues here and around the world that are prioritizing the health and safety of their crowds and audiences, HoMA is adhering to local, state and federal guidance limiting group gatherings and social distancing. The museum will also introduce timed-entrance, contactless payment options, one-way gallery paths to regulate flow of visitors, and the requirement that masks be worn at all times. Enhanced daily cleaning of high traffic areas will be implemented with an emphasis on counter tops, doors, elevator buttons and other frequently touched areas.
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