The Moose Jaw Museum & Art Gallery has announced that it will be reopening to the public with restrictions in August, although there will be a number of safety precautions in place for visitors.
Doors will open to the public on Aug. 10, said the MJMAG’s announcement, and there will be a number of restrictions for visitors to follow.
Capacity will be set at 20 people, with 10 people allowed in each of the two galleries at a time.
Only the Norma Lang Gallery, currently home to exhibitions from Peter Tucker and Robert Froese, and the Heritage Gallery will be open. The Discovery Centre, Gift Shop, and main office spaces are remaining closed for the time being.
The gallery spaces have been organized to allow social distancing and will have directional signage for visitors, who are encouraged to practice safety measures when navigating the space.
Increased cleaning measures will also be in place, with public washrooms available for hand washing and hand sanitizer stations available in the gallery.
Visitors will also be asked to sign in at the front desk for health screening, and masks will be required for the safety of staff and other visitors. The MJMAG will have a supply of complimentary masks available, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own.
While visitors are welcome to drop by during open hours, they are also encouraged to make an appointment to visit the gallery, to help avoid traffic build-ups. Visits can be booked by phoning the gallery or visiting its website for an online booking form.
The gallery’s hours will also be changing to Mondays through Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m, with Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon dedicated for seniors and immune-compromised individuals.
Like many other public spaces are doing at this time, the MJMAG recommends only visiting with members of your household or social bubble, to help minimize potential contact.
The MJMAG’s reopening announcement comes several weeks after the provincial government gave art galleries the green light to reopen.
Curator Jennifer McRorie had previously spoken with the Moose Jaw Express about the MJMAG’s decision to remain closed through July, stating that the staff wanted to have more solidified safety measures in place before opening doors to the public.
