The Louisiana Children’s Museum plans to close in mid-August for daily visits, with officials citing low attendance during the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
The museum will remain open through mid-August, officials said in a letter to members, and then will move to virtual and offsite programs on Aug. 17. Officials did not say if the decision includes layoffs or furloughs for employees.
Update: Museum to cut staff; Acorn Cafe to stay open
In a letter to members on Tuesday, museum CEO Julia W. Bland said the facility will be closed for daily visits "until families are more confident about the health of our community."
The museum reopened June 17 after a three-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic. It had new health and safety protocols, but ticket sales have suffered, Bland wrote.
"There are many families who are not quite ready to venture out in the numbers we need to deliver a quality experience and support our daily operation," she wrote.
In order to prevent the spread of the coronavirus the Louisiana Children’s Museum has opened for three separate play sessions during the day t…
Museum officials said they plan to explore the interest for early childhood and small group programs, camps and after-school workshops.
The museum also said all active museum memberships will be extended to account for the time the museum will be closed.
The new location in City Park opened almost a year ago. It replaced the Julia Street location which had been open for 33 years.
Full letter about the closure
Here's the full letter from Julia W. Bland, CEO of the Louisiana Children's Museum:
Dear Members:
The Louisiana Children’s Museum has made the difficult decision to move to virtual and offsite programs beginning Monday, August 17, postponing daily museum visits until families are more confident about the health of our community.
Closing for daily visits is an extremely difficult but necessary business decision. Many of you have expressed your confidence and appreciation for the extensive health and safety protocols we have put in place, however there are many families who are not quite ready to venture out in the numbers we need to deliver a quality experience and support our daily operation.
The mental health needs of children, parents, and caregivers are a priority for LCM. We will continue to provide resources to help families navigate this challenging time. We will also explore the interest and opportunities for early childhood and small group programs, camps, and after school workshops to support parents and caregivers who are juggling the demands of trying to teach their children, work from home, and parent under one roof.
We hope you will come and explore the museum’s exhibit galleries and engaging outdoor play experiences as your family prepares to settle into the upcoming school year. We are open for play Wednesday – Sunday from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. through Sunday, August 16. Advance, timed entry tickets for LCM members and the public are required. Reserve your timed entry ticket at www.lcm.org/tickets.
Please know that all active LCM memberships will automatically be extended to account for the time the museum will be closed and to ensure that members receive the full 12-month value of membership. Keep up with future announcements about small group programs, after school workshops, camps and virtual play and learning at www.lcm.org. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
While our doors will be closed, LCM will remain active and engaged with our members and families. We will find new, meaningful and innovative ways to deliver our mission in the weeks and months ahead as we count down the days until we can gather together, hug one another, and focus on creating joy for children and families within our Museum once again.
Julia W. Bland
CEO
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional information.
Staffers Karen Taylor Gist and Della Hasselle contributed to this story.
