What It's Like Visiting Cleveland Museum of Art During the Pandemic

With many places reopening, have you been wondering what it’s like visiting the Cleveland Museum of Art during the pandemic? If you’re like me and have been staying mostly in my home or going to outdoor destinations you might feel uneasy about returning to indoor attractions. Will everyone mind their distances from one another? Are people going to wear masks? Is it going to be packed with people?

A place like the Cleveland Museum of Art has always felt spacious so its one of the places first on our list to return to once restrictions lifted. I will go over everything you need to know to visit the museum from some things you need to do before visiting the museum to how safe it felt below.

Not ready to go out to museums? Check out my post on Virtual Cleveland Experiences including several of our best museums.

What to do before you visit

Cleveland Museum of Art has reopened with several safety measures in place. One of the first things you will want to do before your visit is to reserve your free tickets on their website. The museum will request the names of everyone who has a ticket for contact tracing purposes as stated on their website. You also have the option to reserve your parking ticket which makes your visit to the Cleveland Museum of Art during the pandemic so much smoother.

What to do when you arrive

Park your car knowing that only the North lobby entrance that faces Wade Oval is open currently. We accessed this through the parking garage. We had our printed, pre-paid parking ticket ready to scan as we entered the garage and were able to park close to the entrance.

Once you enter the museum you must wear a mask. You will be greeted with a brief explanation of how to proceed. From there you will see distancing circles marked on the floor to follow if it’s a busier entrance time. As you walk in you will have your temperature taken by a scanner that’s above the line. As you reach the check-in desk you will show your tickets so the employee can scan them through the plexiglass and confirm your names and then you’re in!

Safety Measures

The museum has a ticketing system, even though entry is free, to help monitor the number of people entering the museum
Only one entrance is currently opened
You will have your temperature taken at the entrance
Hand sanitizer stations are placed throughout the museum
All employees and visitors are to wear masks
A few exhibits, the cafe, and interactive areas are temporarily closed
Some exhibits in the smaller rooms have a person limit noted at the entrance

Visit the Cleveland Museum of Arts website for the most up to date information

Current Exhibits Worth A Visit

Proof exhibit sign hanging in the Ames Family Atrium

12 Hands of Miles Davis and His Trumpet by Irving Penn

Proof: Photography in the Era of the Contact Sheet

The main reason we decided to visit the Cleveland Museum of Art during a pandemic was to visit this exhibit. I was so happy to learn it was extended from its original end date so we could check it out. As a photographer, I am always interested in the museum’s photography exhibits. The best part is this exhibit is free and it’s huge! It goes through the process of creating a contact sheet, mulling over what shots to select, cropping, and other creative decisions.

The exhibit has been extended through November 29th, 2020

Visit the museum’s page about this exhibit for more information

Ilse Bing at the Cleveland Museum of Art

Ilse Bing: Queen of the Leica

Another photography exhibit is currently going on featuring Isle Bing, the first photographer to adopt using the Leica Camera, the first 35mm camera made widely available. This exhibit is a fraction of the size of Proof, but still worth a visit.

The exhibit will be on view until October 10, 2020

Visit the museum’s page about this exhibit for more information

The Obscure Arc of Time by Roberto Matta

A Graphic Revolution: Prints and Drawings in Latin America

Showcasing the museum’s collection of Latin American artists’ work on paper from the past century, this exhibit features work with themes of abstract, people, and political upheaval expressing Latin American’s complex identity. I especially enjoyed the abstract works.

The exhibit will be on view until November 29, 2020

Visit the museum’s page about this exhibit for more information

Bamboo, Autumn Leaf Globe, and Woodbine Table Lamps

Tiffany in Bloom: Stained Glass Lamps of Louis Comfort Tiffany

Tiffany in Bloom was another exhibit that was extended due to the quarantine shutdown. Stunning pieces of stained glass lamps, windows, and other items are featured throughout the exhibit.

The exhibit has been extended through October 4, 2020

Visit the museum’s page about this exhibit for more information

Gold Needles: Embroidery Arts from Korea

Beautiful needlepoint work featured by anonymous women artists and their inventive creations that bypassed the patriarchy of the time.

The exhibit will be on view until October 25, 2020

Other Museum Views

Cleveland photographers, you all know and love this wall

The museum has so many incredible displays of every kind of art you can imagine. Take a stroll and explore. All permanent collection galleries will be open with the exception of level one in the 1916 building and the ARTLENS gallery. Plenty of art to fill your day.