Letter from the Director

Dear Friends of Cranbrook Art Museum:

Like many of you, I’ve been watching the events of the past week unfold in communities across the country with a combination of fear, sadness, and hope. George Floyd was killed just eight blocks from my former home in Minneapolis—a vibrant and diverse neighborhood. I spoke with and saw the postings of family and friends in the city who shared their horror at this senseless act, their anger that systemic racism remains entrenched, and their hopefulness gleaned from small acts of kindness as well as the collective gathering and witnessing that emerged in their communities in the aftermath.

We find ourselves at a crossroads now. For the past several months we were grappling with the ongoing pandemic, and testing ourselves to find new ways to work and continue to serve you. That work continues, but now with a heightened focus and urgency. At Cranbrook Art Museum we stand in solidarity with those who seek to end racism and achieve equity and justice for all.

We are fortunate to be part of a dynamic cultural community in metro Detroit, and we will continue to strive to use our platform as a way to build connections with each other through creative inspiration. As we make plans to reopen, we want to remind you that ours is a space for everyone. We hope you can find solace in our galleries and on our campus.

With the Governor’s order lifting the ban on museum closures, we are now working toward a plan to reopen our doors to you soon.

We need to use the next several weeks to install our new exhibition, Shapeshifters: Transformations in Contemporary Art, and to also install proper safety measures to ensure we are in compliance with all current regulations in order to make your visit a safe one.

As we finalize our opening plans, we will send another communication with specifics on our opening dates, hours of operation, and any other additional measures you need to know in order to plan your visit.

There is much work to be done, and we want to also hear from you. We are listening and working to respond to your concerns. We would appreciate any feedback you can send to visitart@cranbrook.edu as we navigate our future together.

Sincerely,
Andrew Blauvelt
Director, Cranbrook Art Museum