Art lovers who have been waiting for the live museum experience for months can now begin to make plans. Governor Cuomo announced last week that cultural institutions can re-open on August 24th, with strict protocols in place. That means plans are necessary, with advance timed  tickets required in order to maintain social distancing mandates. Above: Epic Abstraction at The Met; photo by Marco Palli

On the bright side, MoMA has announced that it will be free through September 27, with priority given to members. Tickets go on sale August 21st.  Adam Weinberg, Director of the Whitney Museum of American art announced this week that a pay-what-you-wish admission will be offered to all through September 28, 2020. In addition, members will get earlier access, starting August 27 and continuing through August 31.

In addition to timed ticketing and limited occupancy rules, temperature checks and face masks will also be mandated by the state. So here is the rundown:

The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
Reopening date: August 27 (MoMA PS1 remains temporarily closed)Hours: Monday–Sunday, 10:30am–5:30pm.(Mondays are reserved for members and members’ guests only)

The Museum of the City of New York
Reopening date: August 27

Hours: Thursday–Monday, 10am–6pm  (10am–11am will be a designated hour for seniors and other high-risk visitors)

The American Folk Art Museum

Reopening date: August 28

Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 11:30am–6pm

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Reopening date: August 29 (general public), August 27–28 (members only)

Hours: Saturday–Monday, 10am–5pm; Thursday–Friday, 12pm–7pm

The Whitney Museum

Reopening dates: September 3 (general public), August 27–31 (members only)

Hours: Monday, 11:30am–6pm; Thursday, 11:30am–6pm; 

The American Museum of Natural History

Reopening dates: September 9 (general public), September 2 (members)

Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 10am–5:30pm

The Bronx Museum

Reopening date: September 9

Hours: Wednesday–Sunday, 1pm–6pm

The Museum of Jewish Heritage

Reopening date: September 13 (general public), September 9–10 (members)

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday, 10am–5pm

The Met Cloisters

Reopening date: September 12

Hours: Not yet announced

The New Museum

Reopening date: September 15

Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, 11am–6pm

The Guggenheim Museum

Reopening date: October 3

Hours: Not yet announced

The Drawing Center

Reopening date: October 7

Hours: By appointment only