Dear NERAM Friends and Community,
I know that many of you have closely been following the recent updates regarding COVID-19. We have had many conversations with members of our community, artists that we work with and our colleagues within the gallery and museum sector, trying to predict what will happen, trying to understand the potential impact and trying to respond to your needs and well being.
Based on the Prime Minister’s announcement on 22nd March of additional action to support social distancing measures, and advice for all non-essential services to close in order to minimise the effect of COVID-19, I believe it is most responsible for NERAM to close to the public at this time and until further notice. While I would usually be the at the front of the line of people declaring that art museums are an essential service (and we are), at this time our highest priority is ensuring the health of our community and staff by taking all due precaution and supporting the measures that are have been implemented to best protect us all.
Staff will continue to work on-site at NERAM unless the situation changes further. We will be working to engage with you via our website and social media platforms so that everyone still has access to cultural content and our collections while we are closed to the public. We will also be working to adapt and plan our program so that when we re-open we will have a range of exciting exhibitions and events to welcome you back into the Museum.
Art connects us to the past and the present and to each other. We want to stay connected with you, so please keep an eye on our website and social media pages where we will continue to share art, stories and ideas.
I look forward to welcoming you back into the Museum soon. Until then be well.
Best regards,
Rachael Parsons
Image: W.J. Stacey (After L/ Campbell Taylor) The Chess Players n.d. reproduction – hand tinted mezzotint. Gift of Howard Hinton 1934
