We finally get a little bit of culture again. Unfortunately, we will have to do without cinemas, theatres and concerts for a while longer. But at least the city museums and the Institute of City History are now allowed to reopen to the public. Of course, special measures apply here as well, which must be observed at all costs. Lord Mayor Peter Feldmann is happy about these first relaxations: "The restrictions of the past weeks were a hard test for Frankfurt. We had to do without a lot. I am all the more pleased that cultural institutions such as museums, the Institute of City History and the zoo are finally reopening, thus giving us back not only a piece of normality but also a piece of quality of life - of course in strict compliance with the distance and hygiene regulations. Because: culture is a true elixir of life for all the people of our city."
Cultural department head Ina Hartwig adds: "Preparations are already in full swing, the basis is a protection concept, which the cultural office has developed together with the houses and the responsible health department of the city of Frankfurt." The concept stipulates that events and group formats, including guided tours, will not take place until further notice. Digital formats are to be used for openings where possible.
Protection of visitors and employees has top priority
"The protection of employees and visitors has top priority for us and requires extensive measures in all houses," explains cultural department head Hartwig. Thus, protective screens will be installed in the ticket office area. The museum shops will remain open, and display copies of books and catalogues will be removed. Audio guides and the issue of similar devices (tablets) will be dispensed with, and media stations can only be used to a limited extent. In the Institute for Urban History, the reading room will be reopened in addition to the exhibitions. As the number of seats has had to be reduced, advance booking is requested. For the time being, however, the collection area is not yet freely accessible again for the protection of the staff. At all museums and the Institute of City History, rules of conduct in the entrance area instruct visitors, among other things, that a distance of at least 1.5 metres must be maintained - both from other visitors and from staff. Simple mouth-to-nose coverings are compulsory in all buildings, following the regulations in public transport and retail, sneezing etiquette must be observed and hands must also be washed regularly in the museum. Acutely ill persons must refrain from visiting. The rules of conduct are also published on the website of the houses.
Visitor guidance in the museums
To allow visitors as well as employees the specified distance, the number of visitors in the houses is limited and controlled. The guideline is one person per 20 square metres. In the checkout area, markings indicate the correct distance, and predefined routes (one-way rules) guide visitors through the building wherever possible. Entrances and exits are separated from each other - if feasible.
MMK opens in mid-May
The MMK is pleased to continue the build-up, which was delayed due to corona, with its international artists, who have created new works especially for the exhibition "Frank Walter. A Retrospective" new productions have been created. The exhibition will be open beginning Saturday, May 16. The exhibition "Earthseed" by American artist Precious Okoyomon will be postponed due to the current situation in the USA. The History Museum will open only its new building starting next week, but it will comprise two-thirds of the total exhibition space.
Exactly when each house will open can be found on each institution's website (see below) and will be announced as soon as possible. The regulations are valid until further notice, subject to other requirements of the state government, and will be adjusted to the current situation if necessary.
City museums include: Archaeological Museum, Historisches Museum Frankfurt, Porzellan Museum, Hindemith Kabinett, Icon Museum, Institute of Urban History/Carmelite Monastery, Caricatura Museum, Museum Angewandte Kunst, Museum MMK for Modern Art, Museum Judengasse, Weltkulturen Museum, Deutsches Architekturmuseum and the Young Museum.
