UK Art Museum Reopens to Public Offering Inspiration, Respite in a Safe Environment
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Aug. 25, 2020) — For months, Kentuckians have had limited arts and entertainment options available to comfort and inspire them during difficult times, as arts organizations of all kinds researched and problem-solved ways to open their doors amid a global pandemic. Starting today, University of Kentucky Art Museum reopens to the public offering the public an opportunity to take a break to peruse work from some of the state, country and world’s most celebrated artists while remaining safe.
“I am happy to announce that the UK Art Museum will reopen with new protocols in place, and many exciting exhibitions to see,” UK Art Museum Director Stuart Horodner said. “We are thrilled to welcome everyone back!”
Like most places, the public is expected to play a role in the reopening of the museum by complying with social distancing, wearing face masks and following additional health precautions. To help UK Art Museum maintain a safe environment, and for contact-tracing purposes, all visitors must pre-register for a timed appointment. Reservations can be made here.
“We remain hopeful that we can serve the campus and Lexington community with thoughtful and careful operations,” Horodner said. All visitors must abide by the following protocols when visiting any exhibitions or activities at the UK Art Museum:
- Face masks must be worn by all visitors older than 2 years of age.
- Capacity will be reduced and controlled to 20 visitors at any time.
- Temperature checks will be required for visitors and staff prior to entry.
- Visitors showing signs of illness at any time will be asked to return when they are healthy.
- Visitors must use provided hand sanitizer upon entry.
- Social distancing is required and will be enforced.
- Follow signs noting the direction of traffic in the galleries.
- Credit or debit cards only; no cash permitted for any purchases.
UK Art Museum staff will also wear masks, undergo temperature checks prior to entry, use hand sanitizer and practice social distancing.
In addition to the guidelines above, the museum will operate on a slightly more limited schedule. The UK Art Museum’s new hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday. The museum will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.
As always, the museum’s exhibitions are free and open to the public.
Please check the UK Art Museum website before you visit for the most up-to-date information.
Currently on display at UK Art Museum are exhibits previously on view:
‘Body Language: Hunter Stamps and Mike Goodlett’
In "Body Language," Stamps, an associate professor of ceramics at UK School of Art and Visual Studies, and Wilmore native Goodlett use a variety of media to create sculptures with a deep relationship to human flesh and form. Without being literal, their work suggests body parts and organs, the fluidity of desire, and both the joy and anxiety of living as physical beings.
‘Susan King: Redressing the Sixties’
Susan King grew up in Lexington with deep Kentucky roots and was shaped by a family of Southern storytellers. In "Redressing the Sixties," she uses art, ephemera and personal narratives to relate the story of her journey as an artist — from her beginnings in 1965 as a UK student to a 30-year stint in Los Angeles, and back again. Along the way, she became a founding member of the legendary nonprofit community art center known as The Women’s Building in Los Angeles, headed the Women’s Graphic Workshop, became internationally known for her artist books, and developed a serious interest in photography.
‘A Celebration of Donors’
The museum is celebrating the passion and insight of donors whose generosity has meaningfully shaped the collection. Exhibitions recognize significant gifts from Robert C. May, George and Susan Proskauer, Gerald T. and Ann W. Silvers, and Mr. and Mrs. James Wenneker.
You can read more about current and upcoming exhibitions here.
The mission of the UK Art Museum, part of the UK College of Fine Arts, is to promote the understanding and appreciation of art to enhance the quality of life for people of Kentucky through collecting, exhibiting, preserving and interpreting outstanding works of visual art from all cultures. Home to a collection of more than 4,800 objects including American and European paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and sculpture, the Art Museum presents both special exhibitions and shows of work from its permanent collection.
The UK Art Museum is located in the Singletary Center for the Arts at Rose Street and Euclid Avenue. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.
In 2022, UK was ranked by Forbes as one of the “Best Employers for New Grads” and named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT into Diversity, a testament to our commitment to advance Kentucky and create a community of belonging for everyone. While our mission looks different in many ways than it did in 1865, the vision of service to our Commonwealth and the world remains the same. We are the University for Kentucky.