The following is a letter from Vero Beach Museum of Art Director Brady Roberts
In these uncertain times, I feel it’s important for you to know that the VBMA team remains busy, with many staff members working remotely to answer your calls and listen to our members’ questions. Although the Museum is temporarily closed, we continue our commitment of bringing art into your life.
The VBMA is a place of inspiration, creativity, and enrichment, and our team is focused on connecting you, our patrons and members, with the Museum and with each other in unique ways. As we all carry on in this new situation, we want you to know that although we are distant, we are not disconnected. We are humbled to be hearing from so many people asking how they can help. This might be unusual for a nonprofit arts organization to say, but in these challenging times, we want to support you.
The arts are so important to our overall well-being – we are committed now more than ever to ensuring access for all, and our staff is devising creative plans to bring the Museum and our exhibitions to you. On Monday, March 30th, we will unveil “Museum Extras” on our website. This will provide you with weekly curated online content, including art talks from special exhibitions like From Homer to Hopper and the permanent collection, to program resources and fun art activities for all ages to enjoy. I encourage you to check the website regularly and for more insights, follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
The Museum is not immune to the effects this pandemic is having on our economy, our community, and our world; however, we have taken aggressive cost-cutting efforts to ensure that the Museum remains strong. You have invested in us, and we have stewarded your generosity in a way that has achieved great community impact. As we moved into this season, we saw record-breaking exhibition attendance, fully subscribed programs for children, adults and families, and our Museum Art School classes at capacity. When we reopen, we will announce an exciting new exhibition schedule and accompanying programs that will delight and inspire you.
We hope to reopen the Museum on June 1st, but in the meantime, please follow us on social media and participate in our many virtual experiences. We all need more joy, levity and comfort in our lives, so we hope you will continue to take advantage of all the Museum offers.