June at the Springfield Art Museum

Museum Re-Opens to Limited Walk-In Traffic on June 9

Since the end of Stay-At-Home orders issued by the state of Missouri and the City of Springfield and Greene County, the Museum has developed rigorous re-entry protocols that include heightened facility maintenance and sanitization, maximum gallery occupancy monitoring, mask, glove, and sanitizer procurement for staff and patrons, and changes to the drop-in procedures of the Family Art Lab in order to ensure the health and safety of all Museum patrons, staff, and the works of art entrusted to our care.

The Museum appreciates our patrons’ patience and understanding during this time. Beginning Tuesday, June 9, the Museum will re-open to limited walk-in traffic for the following exhibitions (during normal hours of operation):

Framed: The Art of the Picture Frame
Watercolor USA 2020
Storytelling Through Visual Art: Students' experiences and perspectives during the homestay order
Anne Lindberg: tilted sky
Dale Chihuly: Autumn Persian & Feather Chandelier

During this time Museum patrons can expect:

A Security Officer with a counter stationed at the front door to admit visitors according the following procedures:
40 visitors* inside the Museum at any time;
Visitors will be allowed in on a first-come, first-served basis,
Visitors will be admitted on an "equal or less-than" basis as visitors leave (For example, if 3 people leave the Museum, 3 or fewer can be allowed into the Museum),
Gallery Attendants will monitor occupancy levels in individual galleries. You may be asked to wait before entering a particular gallery if its occupancy is at capacity.
Visitors will be discouraged from congregating and lingering in the parking lot.
Visitors and visitor groups will be encouraged to practice appropriate physical distancing by standing at least 6 feet apart;
Staff must maintain proper physical distancing and wear masks and gloves, where appropriate.
A sneeze guard installed at the Museum's reception desk and the public will be encouraged to stand at least 6 feet away from the reception desk. Staff will remain behind the sneeze guard. Front desk surveys are suspended until further notice.
Visitors will be encouraged to use hand sanitizing stations and proper respiratory etiquette;
High-touch surfaces, furniture, and fixtures will be cleaned immediately after contact with visitors;
Visitors that have symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will be asked to return home and not enter the Museum per the City COVID-19 Signage Policy;
Signage with new guidelines for visitors will be prominently displayed at the front entrance as well as throughout the Museum. Signage encouraging the use of hand sanitizer will be posted adjacent to hand sanitizing stations. Signage will comply with City COVID-19 Signage Policy.

*This number is based on occupancy guidelines for retail businesses detailed in the City of Springfield Recovery Order Phase II. This number will be updated based on guidance from the City of Springfield.

If patrons foresee any issue following these guidelines, we respectfully ask that you refrain from visiting the Museum at this time. Please be prepared to wait to enter the Museum. Marked pathways may be located along the floor to indicate the best route between galleries. Security Officers, Gallery Attendants, and other Museum staff will be available to answer your questions and help you navigate these changes to Museum-going procedures. All Museum public programs (tours, workshops, classes, etc.), special events, and event rentals remain canceled until further notice. Limited on-site public programming is tentatively scheduled to resume on or after Tuesday, July 7.

The Musgrave Wing, which currently houses our permanent collection exhibition Creating an American Identity, will remain closed until July 7.
The Family Art Lab will remain closed until July 7, at which point it re-open by appointment only.
The Hartman Gallery, which currently houses selections from our Asian Art Collection, will remain closed until October 17.

We will continue to make additional refinements to our disease prevention and pandemic response procedures as necessary. For more information and guidelines for COVID-19, please visit the Springfield-Greene County Health Department’s website (https://www.springfieldmo.gov/5068/Coronavirus) or the CDC’s website: (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html).

Changes to Exhibition Schedule Through 2020

The Museum has made several changes to our previously announced exhibition schedule due to the impacts of COVID-19 on Museum operations and artists. Please note the follow new dates:

Framed: The Art of the Picture Frame (Extended Through September 27, 2020)
This & That: Cartoons by Bob Palmer (Now September 5 - November 29, 2020)
Four by Four: Midwest Invitational Exhibition (Now February 6, 2021 - June 27, 2021)

Watercolor USA 2020 Opens

Weisel & Kelly Galleries
June 9 - August 16, 2020

Join us for the 59th annual showing of Watercolor USA, celebrating the very best in contemporary American watermedia. This year's exhibit features 81 works from 81 artists representing 30 states, as selected by juror Misa Jeffereis, Assistant Curator at the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis. Realism, Traditional, and Innovation - it's all on view in Watercolor USA. This popular exhibition and Springfield summertime staple features a catalog, a complete record of the show, for $15. Free and open to the public.

Please note that the opening reception for this exhibition, originally scheduled for June 5 at 5:30 PM, has been cancelled. Instead, a closing reception will be held on August 14 at 5:30 PM. This reception has a long history of support from the Southwest Missouri Museum Associates (SMMA) and is also free and open to the public. The Museum will be launching a virtual version of the Watercolor USA exhibition in early June for those who are unable to travel to the Museum, or those who do not feel comfortable in public spaces at this time. Stay tuned for that link, or follow us on social media @sgfmuseum.

FREE Take-Home Project Bags Are Here

Our second project bag is here and can be reserved through our website. Project bags contain materials and instructions for projects inspired by works in our collection. While we are closed to the public, we are offering these bags free of charge. Here’s how it works: Fill out a registration form here. We will email you to let you know your bag is ready.

You can pick it up from the table in the lobby of the Museum Monday-Saturday, between 9 AM and 4 PM. Please practice social distancing when picking up your bag. Staff will be wearing masks. You will not have access to any other part of the Museum beyond the Lobby (or restroom) until June 9. After June 9, please keep in mind galleries do not open until 10 AM and that the Family Art Lab remains closed at this time.

The second Take-Home Project Bag features an art activity inspired by outsider artist Robert E. Smith's Private Circus Practice, in our permanent collection. Share your completed project on social media with the hashtag #sgfprojectbag

Fassnight Creek stormwater improvement rendering

Museum Master Plan Phase I Improvements

As part of the Museum's 30 Year Master Plan, construction of stormwater improvements to Fassnight Creek are anticipated to begin this summer along Brookside Drive, roughly between National Avenue and Kings Avenue. These grounds improvements are critical to the Museum being able to continue operations at our current site, due to FEMA floodplain issues. Sculpture relocation and some necessary tree removals have already been started to better facilitate this process. The City of Springfield has set up an informational webpage where you can watch video, look at plan drawings, and fill out a comment card to provide your feedback. Please visit the site and check out the exciting future of YOUR Art Museum. Phase I improvements are currently fully funded by a mix of public and private funds.

Virtual Tours of the Museum

Take a virtual walk through the Museum's galleries by visiting one of our virtual exhibition offerings:

Access the Museum's Collection Online

Did you know that the Museum hosts over 1,000 works from our permanent collection online? You can view and download images, and read information and research about a wide range of objects that are currently on view, or have recently been on view. Visit the online hosting of our collection today!

Access Exhibition & Event Videos and Photos

Did you know that you can access preview videos and exhibition and event photography from current and previous exhibitions on the Museum's social media pages? The Museum's Facebook Page, Video Channel, Photo Albums, and Instagram Page are great places to go to view incredible art and to learn more about the Museum's mission in our community.

Important Cancellations

The following programs have had to be cancelled due to the current public health situation:

Watercolor USA opening reception (June 5): Rescheduled to a closing reception on Friday, August 14, 5:30 PM
Slow Viewing Night: Watercolor USA (June 11): Postponed, new date TBA
All Summer Art Camps (to begin June 16): Cancelled
Springfield Ballet Young Choreographers Showcase (June 25): Cancelled. Check with Springfield Ballet for possible reschedule
Fantastic Friday: Watercolor USA (June 26): Cancelled
Collection Connection Workshop: Paint Pouring (June 27) Postponed, new date TBA

Please Follow Us on Social Media @sgfmuseum