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4/6/20

Message from Louis Grachos:

I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe.

We want you to know that you are at the heart of our organization, and even though Palm Springs Art Museum’s galleries are closed, we have not forgotten you.

Currently, our plan is to reopen sometime in the fall. Until then, we hope you are visiting us online and taking inspiration from the museum’s permanent collection. We will be adding content to our website on a weekly basis so we encourage you to visit often. We know that seeing these works online isn’t the same as experiencing them in person, but we hope that you enjoy them and are reminded of your experiences in our galleries with our wonderful staff and volunteers.
 

As you can imagine, this health crisis has had a major impact on how we conduct our operations. Like many other organizations, we have been forced to make changes to our workforce. Making these adjustments has not been easy, but we recognized that we need to take immediate action to ensure the museum’s sustainability. We want you to know that we are taking the necessary steps to continue to deal with the current situation. We are also looking ahead and strategizing on how to become a more efficient and streamlined organization.
 

Steve Maloney, Chair of our Board of Trustees, communicated this to our Board on April 3: “Our determination to face these challenges could not be stronger. I am confident that with the staff and Board of Trustees that we have in place, the museum will rebound better than ever.”
 

I look forward to sharing updates with you about our museum on a regular basis. Until the next time, please know that we all miss you and look forward to welcoming you back into our galleries soon!

Sincerely,

Louis Grachos
JoAnn McGrath Executive Director/CEO

3/13/20

FOR OUR COMMUNITY SAFETY

In light of the directives issued by the Governor’s office to limit the spread of Coronavirus and because the safety and well being of our staff, volunteers, and visitors is always our highest priority, the leadership of Palm Springs Art Museum has made the difficult decision to close our three locations, beginning at 5:00 p.m., Friday, March 13.

This temporary closure includes Palm Springs Art Museum, Annenberg Theater, Persimmon Bistro & Wine Bar, as well as Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, and The Galen in Palm Desert. The Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at our Palm Desert location will remain open and free to the public. 

If you have a ticket for a museum or Annenberg-related event which has been canceled, please consider donating your ticket. The museum is a non-profit organization and relies on support from the community.

Your donation to support us during this difficult time would be greatly appreciated. Or, contact Michael Hinkle at mhinkle@psmuseum.org or 760-322-4897.

We are also happy to exchange your ticket for a future event or offer a refund upon request. To do so, please contact Judy Carter at jcarter@psmuseum.org.

Thank you for your support as we work together to help our community stay safe and healthy.

3/13/20

Dear Members of the Board,

We called an emergency Executive Committee meeting by phone this morning.  I wanted to inform you of our decision to temporarily close the museum to the public as of 5 pm today, Friday March 13 because of the outbreak of the Corona Virus now classified as a pandemic.  While the museum is not aware of any staff, volunteers, or visitors that are sick our highest priority is everyone’s wellbeing and safety. Though we have increased on site sanitizers and cleaning procedures, suspended staff travel, canceled programs and advocated social distancing we feel is it in the best interest and prudent to suspend public operations.  

We look forward to re-opening to the community and visitors as soon as possible. We are asking trustees to help us establish an emergency fund to assist with covering payroll and operating expenses during the closure.  If you would like to help with the fund or if you have any relationships with government officials or foundations, please reach out to Sheri Broedlow and she will provide message points.

This was not an easy decision, but we believe it is best for us to be decisive and act quickly.  We thank you for your support and look forward to speaking with you and answering any questions you may have.

Louis Grachos & Steve Maloney

3/13/20

Due to the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) recommendations, Palm Springs Art Museum will be temporarily closed to the public as of 5:00 p.m., March 13, 2020. 

The decision comes in accordance with guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health which the museum has been following closely.

This temporary closure includes Palm Springs Art Museum, the Annenberg Theater, Persimmon Bistro & Wine Bar, as well as Palm Springs Art Museum Architecture and Design Center, and The Galen in Palm Desert. The Faye Sarkowsky Sculpture Garden at our Palm Desert location will remain open and free to the public.

The museum is postponing and rescheduling events and lectures through the end of March, with possible extensions based on the latest public health recommendations. Additionally, all docent, Frey House II, walking, and school tours have been canceled for the remainder of the month.

Please check this page for updates.

In response to evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) health concerns, Palm Springs Art Museum is postponing and rescheduling events and lectures through the end of March.

The decision stems from concern for the health and safety of the museum’s visitors, volunteers and staff, and comes in accordance with guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health. The museum supports the department’s recommendation for visitors to adopt a policy of appropriate social distancing when in public.

At this juncture, the museum will keep the galleries and exhibitions at all three of its locations open while continuing to monitor the virus situation. However, the museum has taken the precaution of postponing events, receptions, lectures, and other programs.

The museum’s Annenberg Theater Group has decided to proceed with their programs; external rental productions scheduled in the theater are being considered on a case-by-case basis. Patrons are encouraged to use their own discretion regarding attendance.
 
Palm Springs Art Museum has instigated rigorous precautionary measures by providing alcohol-based sanitizer at all entry points, admission desks, and public and staff restrooms, the use of which is encouraged by extensive signage and staff recommendation. Additionally, handrails, doors, and elevators of both downtown and Palm Desert locations are being wiped down with disinfectant several times a day.
 
“Keeping our community safe is foremost in our minds during this unfolding health crisis,” says Louis Grachos, the museum’s JoAnn McGrath Executive Director/CEO. “Though it is disappointing to have to reschedule or postpone long-anticipated events, we feel it best to minimize chances of exposure that inevitably arise in large gatherings. We are keeping our galleries open at this time since the museum is a hands-free experience and we have taken prudent steps to reduce the risk of transmission. The museum’s board and staff are reducing face-to-face meetings, and will continue to monitor the situation and make updates.”

March 12, 2020

Dear Docents –   

Out of concern for the Palm Springs Art Museum community in light of the COVID-19 virus, we are writing today with an update about our programs as they will specifically affect Docent activities.

In consultation with the Board of Trustees, Palm Springs Art Museum has decided to suspend the following for the remainder of March:

· Docent meetings

· Docent tours (including Frey House and Walking Tours)

· Docent led school tours

This includes any docent-organized “Meet-Up” activities.

The Palm Springs Art Museum will evaluate the potential of Docent activities for April and May as the current situation evolves.

Please see the attached memo that was distributed to the staff today. Information is also available on our website, and additional information will be sent out as it develops.

As questions arise over the next period, please feel free to contact Louis or me directly.

Take good care of yourself and your families, and we look forward to seeing you back at the museum soon.

Best wishes,

Rochelle Steiner

Chief Curator & Director of Curatorial Affairs and Programs

Palm Springs Art Museum

3/12-25, 2020 PSAM E-NEWS IMPORTANT NOTICE

Palm Springs Art Museum is concerned about the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff. In response to the evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, the museum has initiated precautionary measures by providing alcohol-based sanitizer at all entry points, admission desks, and restrooms, the use of which is encouraged by extensive signage and staff recommendation. We are also promoting social distancing in our hands-free environments.

At this juncture, we are keeping the galleries and exhibitions open at all three of our locations. However, the museum is postponing and rescheduling events, lectures, and Annenberg Theater Group performances through the end of March, with possible extensions based on the latest public health recommendations. Additionally, all docent, Frey House II, walking, and school tours have been cancelled for the remainder of the month.

These decisions come in accordance with guidelines issued by the California Department of Public Health. We will continue to monitor developments and provide updates.

Rental events scheduled at the museum are being considered on a case-by-case basis. Patrons are encouraged to use their own discretion regarding attendance.

March 11, 2020 

I am writing to update you on actions the Palm Springs Art Museum (PSAM) is taking in connection with (COVID-19) coronavirus. 

The health and well-being of our members, guests, vendors and employees remains the highest priority for PSAM. 

Our management team is monitoring the situation daily, taking into account guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization, regulators and local public health departments. 

At this juncture, we are implementing the following: 

Limiting In-Person Meetings and Events 

The opportunity to engage with our member/guests face-to-face is vital to our business, however we are taking the highest level of precaution and are rescheduling, postponing, cancelling or changing in- person meetings to a telephonic/virtual format in an effort to minimize any potential exposure. This includes all board and committee meetings and will be in effect until the end of March. We will be reevaluate the situation weekly and extend the policy until it is no longer necessary. 

Employee Travel Advisory 

With safety top of mind, our employees are now barred from any business-related travel to or from the current CDC designated high-impact areas. All non-essential international business travel is being cancelled, and we are minimizing non-essential domestic travel. 

Social Distancing 

We are trying to limit the contact that our employees have with one another and the public by implementing a recommended minimum three foot social distancing policy. 

Additional disinfecting/cleaning of public areas 

Our facilities team has stepped up to ensure our museum buildings are kept extra clean by regularly wiping down all high-touch areas (door handles, elevator buttons, etc.) with bleach or alcohol-based wipes and by making hand sanitizer and tissues available throughout the museum. 

We will continue to monitor developments closely and will adapt our protocols as necessary to provide maximum well-being to the members, employees and other constituencies we have the privilege to serve. 

Louis Grachos
JoAnn McGrath Executive Director/CEO 

March 3, 2020

Hello Docents,

Many of you have expressed concerns about the Coronavirus, and rightly so.  There are many things floating around on the internet, but please be very judicious about relying on or spreading information that sounds good, but can’t be verified.  I am happy to forward a message from Louis Grachos that came out today.  I have also attached a report from the City of Palm Springs Emergency Management office for your information.  Please take the time to review these:

The Palm Springs Art Museum is providing this document to all staff/trustees in response to the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the concern over the growing number of reported cases worldwide and in the United States. This is a fluid and rapidly evolving situation and we will provide as accurate and timely information as possible.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in humans and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people, such as with MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. The virus that causes COVID-19 is spreading from person-to-person in China and some limited person-to-person transmission has been reported in countries outside China, including the United States. However, respiratory illnesses like seasonal influenza, are currently widespread in many US communities.

Updates are available on CDC’s web page at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/covid19.

Tips for Employees/Trustees

Prevention

 
There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

Employees who have symptoms of acute respiratory illness are recommended to stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever (100.4° F [37.8° C] or greater using an oral thermometer), signs of a fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g. cough suppressants). Employees should notify your supervisor and stay home if you are sick.

Clean your hands often with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60-95% alcohol, or wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Soap and water should be used preferentially if hands are visibly dirty.

Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact with people who are sick.

Stay home when you are sick.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Although no additional disinfection beyond routine cleaning is recommended at this time you can use disposable wipes on commonly used surfaces (for example, doorknobs, keyboards, remote controls, desks) if that provides an additional measure of comfort.

These are everyday habits that can help prevent the spread of several viruses including the common cold and influenza.

Resources for more information:

COVID-19 Website
What You Need to Know About COVID-19pdf icon
What to Do If You Are Sick With COVID-19pdf icon
WHO Questions and Answers on COVID-19

As mentioned, this is a fluid and rapidly evolving situation so we will continue to monitor and will update you if we receive information that suggests there is reason for a change in response and/or protocol.

Louis Grachos
JoAnn McGrath Executive Director
Chief Executive Officer