The Delaware Art Museum is the latest entity to implement a vaccine mandate policy.
Starting October 1, 2021, the Delaware Art Museum in Wilmington will require anyone 18 and over, visiting its main building or studio space to show proof of full vaccination.
The museum’s executive director Molly Giordano explains why they are making the move.
“We feel very strongly that in order to return to our in-person, in-door programs, especially this fall for a critical exhibition of African American art we’ve been planning for seven years, that we needed to move to a vaccine mandate to carry on these programs and to ensure that everybody felt safe and well taken care of,” seg saud
Giordano notes that proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test cannot replace proof of vaccination.
“A lot of organizations are moving in that direction. But after thinking about it and investigating it, we felt that a vaccine mandate was the safest possible way to get people together,"said Giordano. "The test 72-hours in advance is not a full-proof way to prevent the spread of COVID.”
A vaccination card or a photo of a person’s card is acceptable. Those not eligible for the vaccine, including kids under 12, will be required to wear masks.
Vaccinated visitors will not be required to wear face coverings, though if the museum becomes crowded masks will be required for everyone.
Giordano says the museum is already getting positive feedback about its decision.
She adds that they remain in contact with Delaware’s Division of Public Health (DPH) and will review the mandate on a regular basis.
The Delaware Art museum’s fall offerings include the rescheduled exhibition Afro-American Images 1971: The Vision of Percy Ricks. It opens October 23 and runs through January 23.
Delaware Public Media' s arts coverage is made possible, in part, by support from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency dedicated to nurturing and supporting the arts in Delaware, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
