The Delaware Art Museum changed its admission requirements today.
The Delaware Art Museum announced Thursday that starting Oct. 1, visitors must provide proof of vaccination to enter.
The move will help ensure the health of members, guests, staff, volunteers, other visitors and the wider community, museum Executive Director Molly Giordano said in a social media statement.
The Art Museum’s move follows a rising number of public buildings and venues who cater to the public in demanding proof or vaccine, or a recent negative COVID-19, in addition to face masks. The Grand Opera House in Wilmington has announced everyone in The Grand or the Playhouse on Market Street must be vaccinated or show proof of a test. The University of Delaware on Friday announced the same rules applied to all UD events, which forced the cancellation of its popular Community Day, set for Saturday.
Giordano’s statement said the museum had waited patiently for 18 months to fully resume indoor activities, eventsĀ and classes. It even rescheduled “Afro-American Images 1971: The Vision of Percy Ricks,” a look at a seminal Wilmington art show, to be sure as many people as possible could see it.
“All of us have watched with heavy hearts as positive COVID-19 cases spike and the Delta variant rapidly spreads,” the post said. On Wednesday, Delaware saw 400 new cases, averaged over 7 days.
“We are grateful for our stateās aggressive vaccine program that has enabled over 60% of eligible Delawareans to achieve full vaccination, but many in our community are still vulnerable,” the art museum statement said.
The vaccine mandate requires all those ages 18 and over who enter the Museumās main building or studio space to show proof of full vaccination by presenting a vaccination card or photo of a vaccination card.
“We are excited to move forward with our ambitious fall exhibition and programming schedule, and we are eager for you to join us in person,” the statement said. “But we also know our role as a community leader is to ensure the safety and health of everyone we serve. We will continue to do whatever we can to help our community rebound from the pandemic and thrive. “
