As Philly museums reopen, they brace for COVID-19′s financial wallop

The Philadelphia Museum of Art, closed since the middle of March, is finally sticking its toe in the water like a cautious swimmer facing the icy waves off Race Point.

Last Sunday, the museum opened to the general public for the first time in half a viral year, and 1,658 art-starved people went in through the one door now available to visitors, less than a third of pre-pandemic levels for a pay-what-you-wish day.

Caution is the museum watchword on coronavirus reopenings, epitomized by the Art Museum, which has employed layoffs, furloughs, buyouts, and unfilled positions to reduce its staff of 500 by more than 25%, bracing for who knows what.

So far there is no rescue boat visible on the cold waters. Read More