Museums have lain dormant while pandemic restrictions aimed to keep the spread of COVID-19 low. However, with vaccine rollouts and cities entering new tier levels, museums are preparing to welcome back visitors in-person. On March 10th, the completion of Renzo Piano's long-awaited Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced it would open its doors this Fall. KCRW reported earlier this week that three more LA-county museums have plans to re-open their doors. 

"With dwindling coronavirus numbers, LA has entered the red tier and allowed museums to open at 25% capacity," shared Steve Chiotakis during his Greater L.A. Podcast. LACMA announced it would open its doors on April 1, with safety protocols in place. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA) has opened their doors and welcomes visitors by appointment. The Hammer Museum also announced its plans to open mid-April.

LACMA will be reopening on April 1, with Member Previews starting March 26! We can’t wait to welcome you back to our galleries.
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— LACMA (@LACMA) March 15, 2021

Nearly a year ago today, our editorial team published this piece, How Art and Design Museums Switched to Working From Home and Sharpened Their Digital Experience, discussing how museums planned to adapt and stay open during the pandemic. It appears that some institutions will continue with their virtual programming and others will incorporate a hybrid model. Chiotakis adds, "These hybrid models of online plus in-person may be a mainstay for museums across the board in the future."