Detroit Cultural Center Re-Opens July 10th

Detroit Cultural Center Announces Collective Public Re-Opening Date following COVID-19 Emergency Shutdown

After an unprecedented four-month shutdown of Detroit’s Cultural Center due to the COVID-19 state of emergency, the museums and arts and cultural organizations that are at the heart of the district are collectively planning to re-open their doors to the public on July 10, 2020.

The Carr Center, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit Historical Museum, Detroit Institute of Arts, Hellenic Museum of Michigan, Michigan Science Center and The Scarab Club have been collaborating since late April to create a plan to re-open safely and welcome visitors and employees back into their buildings under the guidance of Midtown Detroit, Inc. (MDI) and NSF International, formerly the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF). A small number of other arts and cultural institutions including the Detroit Public Library, International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit, and the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) will have different re-opening dates but still participated in the process.

“We know that the long-term health and safety of our cultural institutions is currently tied to ensuring the health and safety of all visitors and staff,” says Susan Mosey, Executive Director of Midtown Detroit, Inc. “We engaged NSF to help us create a safety culture and protocols for managing the risks associated with a communicable disease while helping institutions deliver their core missions.”

A re-opening guide and toolkit has been developed by NSF that includes practices, protocols and recommendations for safely operating, as law permits, during the COVID-19 pandemic. The multi-phase re-opening guide includes professional guidelines that are being implemented across the district and are informed by the recommendations of organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA), and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as strict adherence to city, state and federal mandates. Every aspect of normal operations at each institution has undergone a thorough evaluation by NSF and where needed, modifications are in place and will be continually updated to keep staff and visitors safe. Visitors can expect:

Expanded cleaning and disinfection of public spaces and work areas.
Frequent handwashing is encouraged and abundant hand-sanitation dispensers will be made available throughout the institutions.
To be required to wear masks inside each building (guests aged 3 years and older).
Cashless and touchless transactions will be made available wherever possible.
Changed entry procedures and door-access points at some of the institutions.
Limited hours and reduced occupancy loads at some of the institutions to ensure physical distancing can be maintained.
New wayfinding around the buildings and guidelines for physical distancing to safely navigate the institutions.

Visitors are also encouraged to check in with all institutional websites for the most up-to-date information while making plans to visit the Cultural Center.

Detroit’s cultural institutions, under the guidance of MDI, have been working together collaboratively for more than twenty-four months as part of the Cultural Center Planning Initiative to transform the campus and rebrand the district. This period of closure, since early March when the Governor issued Executive emergency orders, has led to a collective reevaluation of programming by some of the institutions and a new sense of partnership and effort to address shared audiences.

“The support and collaboration of our partners throughout the cultural district has made manageable the difficult task of reimagining the museum experience for our visitors,” said Elana Rugh, President and CEO of the Detroit Historical Society. “We are so grateful for the support from Midtown Detroit, Inc. and NSF. Because of their partnership, we are confident that we will be able to provide visitors with an exceptional experience that is both safe and engaging. Our entire staff is looking forward to welcoming everyone back to our museums.”

The CEOs of the institutions have also been in weekly conversations that focus on developing strategic ideas to mitigate the economic losses to the institutions. Decreased earned revenue coupled with the cost of providing the safety protocols and supplies needed to reopen makes for a very challenging situation given the uncertainty of the current pandemic environment. MDI is in conversation with the foundation community to help support some of these added and unexpected budget issues.

“We look forward to welcoming our members and the public back to the district,” said Neil Barclay, President and CEO, Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. “Given the effect that COVID-19 has had on the African American community, The Wright enthusiastically joined with my colleagues to construct a comprehensive plan that would keep our stakeholders and patrons feeling comfortable and safe as they reentered our facilities. Even though the world looks very different from when we shut our doors in March, the roles our institutions play in Detroit and the larger community have not changed and are needed now more than ever. Whether it is offering respite, encouraging creativity, or being a place to gather for shared experiences, the Cultural Center of Detroit is committed to putting our patrons’ health and safety first.”

The Cultural Center Planning Initiative is supported by the William Davidson Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, Hudson-Webber Foundation, Knight Foundation, Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and The Walters Family Foundation. The Cultural Center’s re-opening efforts have been supported by First American Title Insurance Company, the City of Detroit, and Midtown Detroit, Inc.

Individually, the institutions are rolling out a variety of plans including special membership opportunities, timed ticketing, and virtual programming, etc., as part of the re-opening schedule. Below please find a table to show each institution’s hours of operations.

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Midtown Detroit, Inc. (MDI) (midtowndetroitinc.org) is a nonprofit planning and development agency charged with revitalization of Detroit’s Woodward Corridor. Representing over 160 area stakeholders, including Detroit’s anchor educational, medical and cultural institutions, MDI provides public space maintenance and security services; marketing support; technical assistance; infrastructure and real estate development; small business support; grant administration; and arts programming for the district.

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NSF International (nsf.org) is an independent, global organization that facilitates standards development, and tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. With operations in 180 countries, NSF International is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment.

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The Carr Center Contemporary
15 E. Kirby
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 965-8430
https://thecarrcenter.org
https://goo.gl/maps/bpSv6giBXPqVzN1x5

Re-Opens: July 10
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday-Saturday: 12:00pm-5:00pm

The Carr Center is a multi-disciplinary arts organization, founded in 1991 as The Arts League of Michigan, that leverages the essence of the African American cultural experience to inspire, entertain, challenge and educate. We accomplish this through three core programs: the Carr Center Presents, the Carr Center Arts Academy and the Artists Hub. The Carr Center Contemporary, located on the first floor of the historic Park Shelton building in Detroit’s Cultural Center and Midtown district, includes the Carr Center Gallery and opening this fall the newly renovated Carr Center Performance Studio.

Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 494-5800
https://www.thewright.org
https://goo.gl/maps/bJacckyfaDojyXZP9

Re-Opens: July 10
Hours of Operation:
Thursday-Saturday: 9:00am-4:00pm
Sunday: 12:00:pm-5:00pm

The Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History was founded in 1965 and is located at 315 East Warren Avenue, in Detroit, Michigan. The Wright Museum’s mission is to open minds and change lives through the exploration and celebration of African American history and culture. And Still We Rise: Our Journey Through African American History and Culture is the museum’s 22,000 square foot, immersive core exhibit and the largest, single exhibition surveying the history of African Americans. The Wright Museum houses over 35,000 artifacts and archival materials.

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Detroit Historical Museum
5401 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-1805
https://detroithistorical.org
https://goo.gl/maps/MgHkPJGYgjvtgpE59
Re-Opens: July 10
Hours of Operation:
Thursday-Saturday: 10:00am-5:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm-5:00pm

The Detroit Historical Society, established in 1921, is a private, nonprofit organization located in Midtown, the heart of Detroit’s cultural center.Its mission is to tell Detroit’s stories and why they matter. Today, the Society operates the Detroit Historical Museum and the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. In addition, the Society is responsible for the conservation and preservation of more than 250,000 artifacts that represent three centuries of our region’s rich history. Through its museum exhibits, school tour programs, community-based programs and history-themed outreach efforts, the Society serves more than 180,000 people annually.

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Detroit Institute of Arts
5200 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 833-7900
https://www.dia.org
https://goo.gl/maps/NpRctobVN49cEAAg7
Re-Opens: July 10
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (9 a.m.-10 a.m. for at-risk visitors);
Saturday-Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), one of the premier art museums in the United States, is home to more than 60,000 works that comprise a multicultural survey of human creativity from ancient times through the 21st century. From the first Van Gogh painting to enter a U.S. museum (Self-Portrait, 1887), to Diego Rivera's world-renowned Detroit Industry murals (1932–33), the DIA’s collection is known for its quality, range and depth. The DIA’s mission is to create opportunities for all visitors to find personal meaning in art.

Detroit Public Library
5201 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 481-1300
https://detroitpubliclibrary.org
https://goo.gl/maps/Wp8fmcXqhgUn17RS7
Re-Opens: September 8
Hours of Operation: Please check with the DPL website

The Detroit Public Library (DPL) is the largest library system in the state of Michigan. The Main Library and its 21 neighborhood branches make it one of the most valuable and accessible public institutions in metropolitan Detroit. The Detroit Public Library enlightens and empowers people by providing diverse and dynamic pathways to literacy and learning.

Hellenic Museum of Michigan
67 E. Kirby
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 871-4100
https://www.hellenicmi.org
https://goo.gl/maps/JgbkEUYmCaQdZSVt9
Re-Opens: July 10 | 3:00-6:00pm
Hours of Operation:
Saturday-Sunday: 1:00-5:00pm

The overall mission of the Michigan Hellenic Museum is to present, promote and teach about Hellenic culture, heritage and history. As part of its overall mission, the museum also chronicles the struggles, accomplishments and many contributions of a vibrant Greek immigrant community’s journey to Michigan.

International Institute of Metropolitan Detroit
111 E. Kirby
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 871-8600
http://www.iimd.org
https://goo.gl/maps/cZtxxujh2b7kRww4A
Re-Opened: June 15
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm

The International Institute is dedicated to working with low-income foreign and native-born populations in an effort to establish a more inclusive, equitable and just society. The agency fosters community engagement and believes that a variety of cultures significantly contributes to the richness of our great city.

Michigan Science Center
5020 John R Street
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-8400
https://www.mi-sci.org
https://goo.gl/maps/r7A9e8Gyq5b5dbCU7

Re-Opens: July 10
Hours of Operation:
Thursday-Sunday: 10:00am-5:00pm

The Michigan Science Center (MiSci) inspires over 200,000 curious minds of all ages every year through STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) discovery, innovation and interactive education in Detroit and across the state of Michigan. As the STEM hub of the state, MiSci focuses on developing and introducing expanded education programs, exhibits, and initiatives that empower and enrich all children and all communities with STEM. Through our Traveling Science Program and distance learning initiative, ECHO, we are expanding beyond our Detroit-based facility, with a goal of reaching all 83 counties of Michigan. With the Toyota Engineering 4D Theater, live stage shows, a Planetarium, lab activities, 220+ hands-on exhibits, and more, there are dozens of ways to customize your MiSci visit. The Michigan Science Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and does not receive support from the city of Detroit or the state of Michigan.

Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD)
4454 Woodward
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 832-6622
https://www.mocadetroit.org
https://goo.gl/maps/RpDK7KPm31vZ7d697

Re-Opens: July 2
Hours of Operation:
Thursday-Friday: 11:00am-8:00pm
Saturday-Sunday: 11:00am-5:00pm

The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) is an innovative addition to Detroit's vibrant Midtown neighborhood, and functions as a hub for the exploration of emerging ideas in the contemporary arts. As a non-collecting institution, MOCAD is responsive to the cultural content of our time, fueling crucial dialogue, collaboration, and public engagement. The Museum is located between the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Detroit Institute of the Arts, Wayne State University, and the College for Creative Studies. The cavernous 22,000 square foot building, a former auto dealership, has been simply renovated to maintain its raw historic character. MOCAD’s ambitious series of public programs include lectures, musical performances, films, literary readings, and educational activities for area youth. MOCAD is generously supported by individual members, private and corporate foundations, and government agencies

The Scarab Club

217 Farnsworth Street
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 831-1250
https://scarabclub.org
https://goo.gl/maps/r3TPiJit9evhwkdz6
Re-Opens: July 10
Hours of Operation:
Wednesday-Sunday: 12:00pm-5:00pm

The Scarab Club (SC) is a unique venue for visual art, music, and literature, founded in 1907 by a group of prominent artists and arts enthusiasts. Housed in a historic Arts & Crafts-style building in the heart of the Cultural Center, the SC’s program of changing exhibitions, workshops and classes, and events ranging from dance performances to poetry readings brings together members and the public to experience the extraordinary creativity of the Detroit and regional arts community.