The High Museum schedules a cautious reopening

ajc.com

Credit: Steve Schaefer

Credit: Steve Schaefer

The High Museum, closed to the public since March 12, has scheduled a time to reopen this summer.

Members of the High Museum and their families will have first access to the museum's galleries beginning Tuesday July 7, according to a statement emailed to members.

Frontline workers will also be allowed entry on that day, according to the statement. On July 18 the public will be allowed into the museum.

The statement read “we’ve been working hard to prepare ourselves to welcome you back and have been patiently waiting for the right time to reopen. In fact, we remained committed to not doing so until we could comfortably ensure our staff and guests could be accommodated safely.”

Members and frontline workers will be admitted with no charge from July 7-17.

The High told its members to expect a detailed message explaining how it will reopen and how the museum plans to maintain healthy social distancing.

The High is the southeast’s premier arts museum and usually welcomes 400,000 visitors a year. Visitation dropped to zero after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The museum explained on its homepage at the time that the decision to close was “being made out of an abundance of caution and based upon the guidance of the CDC regarding ‘social distancing’ and the elimination of large gatherings.” The High is located in Midtown and is part of the Woodruff Arts Center.

Visitors to the High will want to see its new collection of Impressionist paintings in the Doris and Shouky Shaheen Gallery, given by the Shaheen couple.

Until that time, the High is also directing website visitors to four different art-related films streaming on Netflix, including a 1991 documentary on the beloved television personality Bob Ross, called "Bob Ross: Beauty Is Everywhere."

The High will also be open to summer campers at its various children's summer camp programs, June 8 through August 7. Go to this web page for more information.