In the category of “better safe than sorry” news, the Academy Museum has decided to push its opening once again. Instead of debuting around the 93rd Academy Awards in April, the museum will swing open its doors to the public on September 30, 2021. A week of events including a gala on September 25 is also now on the calendar.
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In a statement, Bill Kramer, Director and President of the Academy Museum, credited the change to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. With rising infection rates and restrictions on public gatherings in Los Angeles, it was a decision made to protect the health and safety of the venue’s visitors and staff. The new dates also conveniently occur after what many hope will be a return to normal editions of the Venice, Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals.
“We are putting the final touches on our stunning exhibitions and public spaces, and while we are eager and ready to welcome visitors in the spring, with the current surge of COVID-19 it would be irresponsible to maintain an April opening,” Kramer remarked. “We know a new day is coming for us all, and when it does, the Academy Museum will be ready to offer our visitors the remarkable experience we have all been wanting.”
Ted Sarandos, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Academy Museum remarked, “Despite the many challenges of 2020, the museum has accomplished a great deal this year: completing its pre-opening fundraising campaign, obtaining LEED Gold certification, and the installation of exceptional exhibitions. We are fortunate to have one of the world’s most exciting new cultural institutions ready to go. Now it’s just a matter of patience, for all of us, as we look ahead to opening our doors on September 30.”
How the COVID pandemic will affect the upcoming Oscars telecast is still unclear. The ceremony is still scheduled for April 25, 2021.
