ART
Magdalena, an oil on canvas portrait of a woman laying on a bed by Eva Bonnier is from the collection of Nationalmuseum Stockholm, one of the art institutions that have closed their doors because of the coronavirus
Art Institutions Lament the financial impact of the coronavirus as they make deep cuts, including firing and laying off workers.
BY KAZAD
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND — When this year began, there were high expectations for artists and art lovers. Across the country, art institutions were happy to show artworks by emerging artists and established ones. In Baltimore, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) had dedicated 2020 as the year to shine a light on women artists and was determined to celebrate their contribution through various exhibitions and public events. In all, there were 13 solo exhibitions and 7 thematic shows highlighting the creativity and contributions of female artists to art history and the global art discourse.
While some exhibitions were up and running, others were getting ready to open to the public in spring and summer. Some exhibitions lined up for what the BMA called the 2020 Vision included By Their Creative Force: American Women Modernists, Women Behaving Badly, and African Art and the Matrilineage among others.
In the shows were celebrated women artists who were influenced and engaged in major 20th Century movements such as Cubism and Abstract Expressionism. They include Elizabeth Catlett, Georgia O’Keeffe, Maria Martinez, and Amalie Rothschild, Simone Brangier Boas, Grace Hartigan, Elsa Hutzler, Helen Jacobson, Amalie Rothschild, and Grace Turnbull and Joan Mitchell amongst others. Works by young contemporary artists like Mickalene Thomas and Candice Breitz were already generating excitement.
Preparations were in full gear for the 2020 Vision, which, in addition to celebrating the contribution of women artists to art history also honors the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage. Sadly, everything came to a stop after coronavirus also known as Covid19 began killing people in the United States and across the globe.
Social Distancing and Physical Distancing
To stop the spread of the deadly Coronavirus, many States across the United States joined the rest of the world in instituting Social Distancing.
What is Social Distancing?
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) “Social distancing, also called “physical distancing,” means keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home.” The rule of social distance maintains that people stay at least 6 feet from another person, avoid gathering in groups and mass gatherings.
Those who think they have been exposed to COVID 19 were instructed to quarantine themselves to avoid further spread. Self-quarantine has become a popular phrase since the outbreak of COVID 19. It ensures that people who think they have been exposed to the coronavirous to stay separated from others and limit their movement “outside of their home or current place.”
Those who are already showing symptoms of COVID 19 are advised to isolate themselves from others. Isolation means the sick person is separated from everybody else to avoid contaminating surfaces and infecting others.
Art Institutions and Social Distancing
Baltimore Museum of Art is one of the few art institutions across the United States to institute the CDC Social Distancing guidelines by closing the museum. Although it was a difficult decision, the museum closed in early March and postponed exhibitions and art programs. The Museum was looking forward to reopening on April 12. However, indications are that this may not be possible, and art lovers may have to wait longer to see artworks by their favorite artists.
Many museums and art institutions across Maryland began closing after the government instituted the social distancing regulations. Some institutions include the American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Industry, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Creative Alliance, Kennedy Center, and Maryland Historical Society.
For many years, most of us have developed different ways of experience the arts. From going to the museum, theatre, movies, and galleries, we celebrate the arts with impressive devotion. However, the outbreak of the coronavirus, now known as COVID 19, has disrupted our way of life and the ways we experience the arts. Since the outbreak in the United States three months ago, museums, theatres, galleries, restaurants and concert halls have closed, some through the force of law. The fear of contracting and spreading this deadly virus, that has killed thousands across the globe has also forced people to practice Social Distancing.
Art Institutions and Artists Lament the Financial Impact of Coronavirus.
Across the globe, the fear of COVID 19 is the beginning of wisdom. In letters announcing the closures of art venues we have come to love and appreciated, the authorities of these art institutions spoke plainly about their fear and the need to keep people safe. In announcing the closure of its institution, Centred’ArtContemporain Genève wrote, “Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, the “physical” exhibition spaces of the Centre d’Art Contemporain Genève are temporarily closed to the public. We express our solidarity with sick people, health workers, and all those who are still heading to their workplaces every day.”
We are taking every necessary step to protect the health of our staff and visitors-Queens Museum
The Queens Museum announced the closure of the institution on March 13, 2020, in a letter that explicitly expresses fears of the invisible enemy. The letter notes: As the situation around COVID-19 continues to evolve, we are taking every necessary step to protect the health of our staff and visitors. At this point in time, we have decided to temporarily close the Queens Museum.” The hope was that the virus would have “washed away” by March 20, 2020, so the museum could reopen. Unfortunately, that is not the case as the Coronavirus continues to spread across the country. Although there are no confirmed cases reported at the Queens Museum at that time, the administration thought it necessary to err on side of caution and closed the museum.
With the closure, Queens Museum joins the list of art institutions that have closed their doors. The decision to close the Queens Museum as soon as the spread of COVID 19 was announced was very thoughtful. New York, the home of the Museum, has become the epicenter of the Coronavirus. Over 30,000 people have been infected, and the number of deaths continues to rise.
Some shows planned by the Queens Museum for spring that has been postponed and canceled include Ulrike Muller and Amy Zion: The Conference of the Animals and 120 Years of Children Drawing New York City; After the Plaster Foundation; and Bruce Davidson: People in Public Space: Ridgewood Reservoir for the 21st Century (Community Partnership Exhibition). Also canceled is the Queens Museum Gala. It is uncertain when people will see these exhibitions and art events.
Metropolitan Museum of Art: Priority to Protect
In closing the Metropolitan Museum of Art on March 13, the museum’s authority explained that its “priority is to protect and support our visitors, staff, and volunteers.” Part of the protective precautionary measures taken by the museum included “discouraging travel to affected areas, implementing rigorous cleaning routines, and staying in close communication with New York City health officials and the Centers for Disease Control.” The MET emphasized that “we believe that we must do all that we can to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our community, which at this time calls for us to minimize gatherings while maintaining the cleanest environment possible.”
Soon after the MET shutter its doors, it restructured its website in a way that helps visitors navigate the collection with ease. From the home page, visitors can connect with other areas of the website including Recent Acquisitions, Timeline of Art History, Libraries, Audio Guide Online, Kids and Families, and The Artist Project among others.
Guggenheim’s announcement echoed those of other museums. The Museum noted that the closure of the museum was “a proactive measure to protect the health of the museum’s visitors and staff in response to the coronavirus (COVID 19). During the closure, the museum extended an invitation to visitors “to experience the Guggenheim from home and discover artists, exhibitions, and collections. Guggenheim also said it would issue refunds “to guests who have purchased general admission tickets to the museum from guggenheim.org, or purchased tickets to an event or program that has been canceled. We will contact you via email in the coming days.”
The Asia Society was very blunt in its letter about the closure of the institution because of the coronavirus. The letter notes in part, “At Asia Society, the health and safety of our staff, visitors, volunteers, members, and communities is our first priority. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made the difficult decision to close our New York headquarters.” The closure, which began on March 16, followed in the wake of other closures of Asia Society buildings across the globe. Asia Society Hong Kong and Asia Society Texas are other locations and offices of the Asia Society that have closed their doors due to COVID 19.
DePaul Art Museum: The World to Come
The news from the DePaul Art Museum resonates with what many museums and galleries have said about the Coronavirus. After an increase in the number of outbreaks of COVID-19 in Chicago, the museum closed its doors: “At this time, and in line with other cultural organizations and museums in Chicago and across the U.S., we have decided to close the museum to the public until further notice.” In addition, the museum also canceled all of its public programs through June 12. “Our new exhibition, The World to Come: Art in the Age of the Anthropocene, is installed and ready for viewing as soon as it is safe to reopen,” the museum said in a letter,” the museum said. The coronavirus emanated from Wuhan in China.
On March 19, the Nationalmuseum, Moderna Museet in Stockholm and Malmö and ArkDes closed their doors temporarily as the Coronavirus spread across the country. All three museums will remain closed until April 14. Due to the closure, the museums canceled all public activities, including lectures, public tours, school tours, workshop activities and booked group tours. Additionally, the restaurants in the museums were also closed. In explaining the closure, Gitte Ørskou, Museum director at Moderna Museet emphasized, “It is not compatible to have a museum that is open in a time when we are encouraged to stay at home,” concluding that Moderna Museet can no longer be a physically open public place.
On her part, Susanna Pettersson, Director General at Nationalmuseum highlighted the value of museums to the society and its importance during challenging times like that posed by the spread of the Coronavirus. She notes: Museums create important platforms in today’s society. They are important to our identities, not least when society is facing major challenges. We are temporarily closing the museum building now, but we will continue working on building bridges from history to the present and accelerate the collections’ digital accessibility. Nationalmuseum is a museum for everyone – even when the doors are closed.”
Whitney Joins Other Art Institutions in Cost Cuts
As with other museums, the Whitney Museum put the safety of the people first. In a release announcing the closure of the museum on March 13, the Whitney explained the closure was “In the interest of protecting the well-being of our staff, volunteers, and visitors, and following guidance from local, state and federal authorities regarding measures that best promote public health.” In order to keep people engaged, the museum has made its collection more accessible to visitors to its website.
“These are painful difficult times”- director Adam Weinberg, Whitney Museum director
Since its closure on March 13, the Whitney Museum has laid off 76 employees, most of whom have had visitor services–related roles and could no longer fulfill their duties during the shutdown. The financial pressure of the closure that may result in about seven million shortfalls is forcing the museum to think of taking steps that are even more drastic. In an email to employees, the museum affirmed its responsibility to the staff of the museum as it could. Museum director Adam Weinberg was succinct when expressing the limit of the museum in helping its staff:
“Our internal discussions throughout have focused on two goals: taking care of as many of our staff as we can for as long as we can, since you are the lifeblood of this institution; and ensuring that the Whitney will be able to stand strong when this crisis ends,” he noted. He added that the museum intends to rehire staff when it reopens.
Weinberg was clear about the perils of the present moment. “These are painful difficult times,” he said and thanked everyone for what they have done to help the museum grow. “I want you to know I am grateful to all of you for everything you have done,” he said. In addition to the visitors-service employees, the layoffs also included temporary employees from departments across the institution. To help some staff mitigate the effect of the layoffs, the museum is offering five to six weeks’ pay, dating from its closure in mid-March for all staff that has been at the Whitney for two years or less. Additionally, Health Insurance for affected employees will continue through June 30. Senior staff, including Weinberg, are also taking pay cuts.
With its action, the Whitney Museum joins a list of art institutions taking drastic steps to absorb the financial impact from the spread of the Coronavirus. In the wake of the closures, many museums are bracing for an impending financial catastrophe. Soon after Whitney Museum announced its layoffs and pay cuts, the New Museum furloughed about 50 of its 150 staff members. The furloughs included full and part-time workers across every department. As if that was not enough, senior staff had to accept salary cuts on a sliding scale from 10 to 20 percent, with the museum’s director, Lisa Phillips, taking a voluntary 30 percent reduction.
Perhaps, the only bright spot is the Museum of Modern Art. After the museum closed in March and told its 85 freelance educators they were out of a job, something unexpected happened. A few hours after the firing, the Museum of Modern Art educators received an email from Heather Maxson, the museum’s director of the school, youth, and family programs, informing them that her department was planning on launching a new online teaching initiative in response to requests from New York school teachers, community partners, and senior centers. According to Maxson “The program will serve our community during the COVID-19 crisis and will enable you, our dedicated freelance team, to keep working, even though the museum is closed.” The online programs were slated to run through the end of the school year.
Auction Houses Suffer Impact of Coronavirus
As with museums across the globe, art auction houses are also experiencing the impact of the coronavirus. Major auction houses have closed their doors due to the rapid spread of COVID 19 in the United States and globally. Considering the danger posed by the silent killer, many have also postponed and changing the formats of their spring auction. One of the first major auction houses to announce the closure and cancellation of auctions was Christie’s Auction House. Noted as one of the world’s biggest auction houses, Christie’s has salesrooms in 10 cities around the world. In early March, the company said it would temporarily close many of its locations, and postponed 14 sales planned for New York and Paris during spring.
One of the postponed auctions is the celebrated 20th Century Week. Previously scheduled for May 12-15 in New York and London, the auction will now be combined and held only in New York from June 23-28. In addition, Christie’s has also rescheduled its popular Luxury Week in Geneva. The Luxury Week sale features luxury watches, fine wine, handbags, and other items. The event has been moved to June 29-July 1.
Since the spread of the virus began, Christie’s has closed its offices in Brussels, Buenos Aires, Chicago, Dallas, Dubai, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Houston, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Miami, Milan, Monaco, Moscow, Munich, New York, Rome, San Francisco, Santiago, São Paulo, Stuttgart, Tel Aviv, Toronto, Vienna, and Zurich.
Announcing the closures and changes to the spring auctions, Guillaume Cerutti, chief executive of Christie’s noted that the changes were necessary and the focus should be on the community. “Our first priority is to continue to act in the best interest of the community and our thoughts are with all those affected by the ongoing situation,” he said. Despite the closure of its offices, Guillaume Cerutti affirmed that “Christie’s teams in the Americas, Europe, and Asia are working remotely and resiliently to adapt to the environment, focusing on serving our clients and building successful sales for our auction, private, and online channels.”
Sotheby’s
Soon after Christie’s announced closures of its auction houses and postponement of the spring auctions, Sotheby’s said it was indefinitely closing most of its auction houses around the world. The notice came just after news spread that the auction house was postponing some auctions, especially those in Hong Kong to future dates. Sotheby’s said that the closures and cancellations are for the safety of all those concerned. “The health and safety of our employees, clients, and visitors is our first priority,” the auction house said. In the meantime, Sotheby’s noted, “We are closely monitoring the advice of government and health authorities in the countries and cities where Sotheby’s is located and adjusting our business and operations accordingly.”
Phillips
Phillips, another major auction house, closed several auction houses located around the world and postponed important auctions set for the spring auction season. “As more of our community of staff, clients and partners becomes affected by the spread of the coronavirus, we have decided to postpone all of our sales and events in the Americas, Europe, and Asia,” the auction house notes. One of the major events postponed by the auction house is “The Geneva Watch Auction: Eleven,” which was scheduled for May 9-10. The auction house also postponed its 20th Century & Contemporary Art sales in New York that have now been rescheduled for the week of June 22, 2020, merging the New York and London sales into one week of auctions.
Phillip’s popular spring auctions in Hong Kong, originally scheduled for 31 May – 2 June, will now happen in the week of July 6. Although the auction house regrets the inconveniences, the closures and postponement would cause its clientele, Edward Dolman Chief Executive Officer of Phillips explained that the focus is on the well-being of the people. “The health and safety of everyone remain our top priority, and our thoughts are with those of you who have already been personally affected by the virus,” he said.
Auction Houses: Financial Implication of the Coronavirus
The closure of the auction houses and the postponement is definitely affecting auction houses‘ bottom lines. To brace the financial consequences engendered by the closures and cancellations, the auction houses have shifted their sales of fine art and luxury goods online. Some are also selling them privately. However, that has not been enough, and the auction houses are making even deeper cuts.
Action Houses Implement Cost-Cutting Measures
To stay afloat, the action houses are looking for ways to reduce their financial burden. Soon after announcing the closure of their auction houses in Dubai, Geneva, Milan, Paris, Zurich, and other places, Sotheby’s announced staff furloughs, pay cuts and layoffs across its global offices. Sotheby’s CEO Charles F. Stewart announced the company’s furlough and pay cut plans in a remote town hall meeting. Although it is uncertain how many people have been furloughed, indications are that about 200 of the 1,700 staff spread across 40 countries have been affected by the temporary layoff.
Following in the steps of Sotheby’s, Christie’s also announced that it would start furloughing staff based in Europe to cushion the effect of the pandemic ravaging the world. Christie’s plan to keep its head above the financial waters includes laying off some temporary outside contractors and enacts a voluntary salary sacrifice for a segment of the company’s highest-earning employees.
Unlike Christie’s and Sotheby’s that have instituted furloughs and pay cuts, Phillips has kept its staff working by implementing arrangements for the vast majority of its staff to work from home. The auction house is also selling art and artifacts online.
Artists and Art Companies
The impacts of COVID 19 are far-reaching and affect every area of art and artists. Companies severing the art industry are also suffering. Paintru, a direct to consumer art company is one company suffering the impact of the virus. JD Kameen, founder of Paintru describes the consequences of the virus on art service companies thus: “Coronavirus is deeply impacting the artists around the world that fuel the $70 billion global art market. Consumers often forget the bevy of shipping logistics that support the international art trade, and any disturbance in that pipeline creates a long felt ripple. As of early March, coronavirus poses less of a risk to individual artists as it does to the shipping policies guaranteeing transport of product,” he said.
Echoes from the Theaters
The impact of the coronavirus is not just affecting the museums and galleries who are cancellation events and closing their door due to an abundance of caution. Many theaters have also closed their doors. One of them is the Round House Theatre in Bethesda, Maryland. In a letter, the theatre reflects the painful decision of closing the theatre. “In response to the novel Coronavirus outbreak and CDC recommendations, all Round House Theatre performances for the rest of the 2019-2020 Season will be canceled,” the Round House Theatre noted. Some performances that will suffer from the closure include Cost of Living by Martyna Majok, The Love/Hate Rep, which includes Charles Mee’s Big Love, and Rehana Lew Mirza’s Hatefuck. The Round House Gala originally scheduled for April 25, 2020, has also been canceled.
Round House continues to focus on its priorities despite the painful cancellation of the performance season. “Round House Theatre’s top priority is ensuring the health and safety of patrons, students, artists, and staff,” the organization noted. Round House Artistic Director Ryan Rilette and Managing Director Ed Zakreski put it succinctly when he described this moment in time as unprecedented. He notes:
“We live in unprecedented times. The new rules about social distancing and maximum gathering sizes have uprooted all of our lives, but for those of us in the theatre, whose art demands human connection, these new rules have proved particularly challenging. At Round House, our response to this challenge is guided by our top priority: our community. That’s why we decided last week to close all facilities, suspend education programs, and postpone Martyna Majok’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, Cost of Living.”
Round House Theatre did not mince words expressing the financial consequences that disruption to the season would cause. “This significant disruption will pose major financial challenges to Round House in the months ahead. We are working to sustain the theatre through this crisis, keep our staff employed, and make sure we are ready to launch our coming season with the uplifting and inspiring theatre you expect from us. But we need the support of the broader Round House community to do that,” notes the organization. To survive the impact of the forced closure and sustain the organization, the theatre is soliciting help from its patrons:
“We are asking current subscribers and patrons with tickets to the canceled shows to consider donating the value of their tickets back to Round House. We understand the uncertainty that the national situation is creating for many, and we will be offering credits for future productions and refunds for those who need them. We urge the public, however, to consider the value that Round House brings to their lives, and to make a ticket donation or charitable contribution if they have the capacity to do so.”
Besides the closures of museums and galleries, many art festivals and fairs and have also been canceled. One of them is the Head On Photo Festival, an event that celebrates photographers with awards and exhibitions. Others include 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair, New York, Frieze New York, Asia Week New York, TEFAF Maastricht, Art Basel Hong Kong, Front Triennial, Cleveland, TEFAF New York Spring, Affordable Art Fair New York, Art Basel, Switzerland, and 34th Bienal de Sâo Paulo
Art Institutions, Music Industry, and Musicians
The music industry has also suffered the icy grip of COVID 19. Music festivals, shows, and award ceremonies have been canceled as everyone continues to practice social distance. Musicians are already lamenting the consequences of the coronavirus. With the cancellation of live music events due to the pandemic, musicians are missing out on money-making gigs. “Every touring musician I know lost their ability to make money in mere hours as the pandemic and measures to contain it came to light,” said Natalia Zukerman.
As with individual musicians, music bands terrified by the financial implications of missing out on the summer gigs and festivals that sustain musicians. To survive, young musicians are giving music lessons online while others are creating innovative ways to make money online through their music.
To help musicians, support artists and bring them together with fans, Hangin’ & Sangin’, podcast host Kelly McCartney and singer/songwriter Natalia Zukerman recently launched a live-streamed concert series. Called the “Shut In & Sing” the online event kicked off on March 19, and featured live-streamed performances from Chely Wright, Lori McKenna, Robert Randolph, Mary Gauthier, Amy Ray, Emily Saliers, Amythyst Kiah, and many more. The performances were aired via Stageit, with the profits split between the participants.
Singer/ and songwriter Matt the Electrician, one artist in the “Shut In & Sing” was very candid about the emotional whirlwind and financial burden many people are going through this trying moment. “Right now is a complex swirling of emotions and intensity the likes that almost none of us have ever known,” he said. “The reasons to play online right now are, of course, multi-pronged. Many of us traveling artists have had our ability to financially maintain our lives put on hold indefinitely. Meanwhile, everyone else has had their live, in-person entertainment and connection taken from them,” Matt said. For Matt, the relationship between performers and audience is symbiotic and must remain so in good time and bad times. “Performers and audiences, in the best of times, need one another. And in the worst of times, hopefully, we can rely on and serve one another,” he said.
Coronavirus Changes How We Experience the Art
The need to stay connected with art fans has led to innovations in how we experience art. Many art institutions are creating virtual exhibitions and making their collections available online. The Guggenheim is one of the museums effectively using the web to present works in its collection to the public. The Museum has several educational videos on YouTube.
One of the major new exhibitions that many people were looking forward to seeing this spring at the DePaul Art Museum was The World to Come: Art in the Age of the Anthropocene. Although the show was installed and ready for showing, the opening was postponed because of the outbreak of the coronavirus. Nonetheless, the museum is giving people a taste of the exhibition by putting some works and installation photos online for general viewing until the museum is safe to open. The online show helps the museum fulfill its mission to connect people through art. Working in collaboration with DePaul University’s John T. Richardson Library, the museum has also created a digital research guide for The World to Come. The guide includes videos, articles, essays, and a bibliography related to the forty international artists featured in the exhibition and themes addressing the human impact on the environment.
Although the Asia Society buildings are closed, the museum is maintaining its online presence. The Society stresses its commitment through a live webcast from New York and outposts around the world. The Society’s interactive map and 360-degree views of traditional and contemporary masterpieces in the renowned Asia Society Museum Collection provide insights into the institution’s collection. The Society’s website also includes a video gallery and the Asia In-Depth podcast.
Museums Make their Collections Assessable Online
Many other museums are also making their collections available online while others are curating online exhibitions. They include the Baltimore Museum of Art, The Metropolitan Museum, Whitney Museum, Guggenheim, American Visionary Art Museum, Tate, Museum of Modern Art among many others.
As the coronavirus continues to spread with no cure in sight, many musicians and DJs have taken to the web to entertain and serenade people who are trapped at home by the coronavirus. The list of artists who have spent hours entertaining fans across the globe online includes Neil Young, Chris Martin of Coldplay, Keith Urban and pop-punk act Yungblud, Charlie Puth, Pink, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, Miley Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Justin Bieber, and John Legend and his wife. Others include model Chrissy Teigen, rapper Cardi B, Chris Martin, Ben Gibbard, DJ Keith McIvor AKA JD Twitch and DJ Chris Kopec.
Additionally, many artists, actors, and musicians are using their talent to warn people about the dangers of COVID-19. Some warnings include practicing social distancing and washing of hands. In that regard, The Billboard Top 10 artist and rising artist Jaki Nelson has released a 20-second musical hand-washing Public Service Announcement (PSA). Titled (Don’t Get) Physical, the song warns people to wash their hands. For Jaki, this public service is personal because of her underlying health condition. Therefore, she wants young people to take the heed the warning and wash their hands.
Despite the devastation and financial anguish caused by the spread of the Coronavirus, many art institutions, artists and performers are hopeful for a better tomorrow and looking forward to a better tomorrow.
Art Institutions make deep cuts to prevent bankruptcy, including laying off workers. What do you think?
