Attention lovers of arts and culture: We have news and you’re going to like it
The pandemic has been tough on many but particularly those in the arts sector. Thankfully signs of normality are on the horizon.
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The world is gradually coming out of hibernation and we’re delighted that the arts is part of the action with many of our museums, galleries and libraries welcoming visitors from June 2.
“It’s wonderful to see museums, galleries and libraries begin to reopen their doors while innovatively reshaping the public’s experience to adhere to strict health guidelines,” said Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier Gabrielle Upton.
“NSW museums and galleries play a vital role in our community as a leader of Australia’s arts and cultural sector alongside our State’s libraries — all presenting inspiring and educational works to the public.
“It is an important step to reinvigorate the State’s creative economy during these uncertain times and uplift our community’s spirit,” said Ms Upton.
From June 1, museums, galleries and libraries will operate in COVID-safe ways to protect the health of visitors and staff, which will include strict physical distancing of 1.5 metres between people at all time, enhanced cleaning and limiting guest numbers to allow for four square metres per person.
Scroll down for a list of museums, galleries and libraries reopening from Monday June 1, 2020:
Art Gallery of NSW: Open 10am to 5pm daily with limited numbers of visitors permitted using a timed-entry ticket system. All exhibitions are open including the 22nd Biennale of Sydney: NIRIN exhibition.
Sydney Living Museums: The Mint is open from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, with the Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection to open from 2 June, Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and the renewed Hyde Park Barracks to open from 4 June, Thursday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.
State Library of NSW: The two main reading rooms (in the Macquarie St building and Mitchell building) are open 10am to 6pm, Monday to Friday by appointment via an online booking system. The Library Cafe is open for takeaway.
Check local library websites for information on opening dates and operating hours at individual libraries.
Powerhouse Museum: Open from 12pm to 5pm on 1 June, and from 10am to 5pm daily from 2 June with limited numbers of visitors permitted through timed-ticketing sessions.
View the 22nd Biennale of Sydney exhibition, Ramin Haerizadeh, Rokni Haerizadeh and Hesam Rahmanian: I Prefer Talking to Doctors About Something Else, and Linear.
The Boulton and Watt Engine, Locomotive No. 1, Strasburg Clock and the Touring Hall will also be open to visitors.
The heritage core of the Powerhouse Museum will be closed, and the Museum will be offering bookable curator talks and small group sessions exploring the Powerhouse’s Transport, Steam Revolution and Space Galleries.
Sydney Observatory: Open 10am to 5pm daily. Visitors can access the Observatory grounds and building and view the new Sydney Harbour Bridge and Sydney Opera House displays, as well as witness the dropping of the Time Ball at 1pm each day.
Museums Discovery Centre: Open free each weekend from 6 June from 10am to 4pm. Visitors can discover historical transport, household and local architecture models, as part of hundreds of objects on display from State museums’ collections.
Reopening Tuesday 2 June 2020:
NSW State Archives & Records: The Reading Room at the Western Sydney Records Centre will open by appointment only from 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm Tuesday to Friday.
Reopening Tuesday 16 June 2020:
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia: Open 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday with the 22nd Biennale of Sydney: NIRIN exhibition. The MCA Store, MCA Cafe and Sculpture Terrace will also reopen on Tuesday 16 June, with the Graze restaurant to reopen Tuesday 30 June.
The 22nd Biennale of Sydney: NIRIN will reopen in June, with NIRIN exhibition dates as follows:
Art Gallery of New South Wales: Monday 1 June – Sunday 27 September 2020
Artspace: Monday 1 June – Sunday 27 September 2020
Campbelltown Arts Centre: Monday 1 June – Sunday 11 October 2020
Cockatoo Island: 16 June – Sunday 6 September 2020
Museum of Contemporary Art Australia: 16 June – Sunday 6 September 2020 (closing date TBC)
Powerhouse Museum: Monday 1 June – Saturday 1 September 2020
Reopening Spring 2020:
The Australian Museum is closed to the public until Spring 2020 to enable major renovation, Project Discover.
Check individual websites of your local and regional areas to see which museums, galleries and libraries are opening.