SHEBOYGAN, WIS.- The John Michael Kohler Arts Center in Sheboyan, Wis., has reopened to the public with new hours and timed-entry reservations.

“COVID-19 has brought many changes to the ways we conduct our daily lives and the ways the Arts Center continues to engage people in rewarding arts experiences,” said Sam Gappmayer, Arts Center director. “The safety and well-being of our visitors and staff has been our top priority in developing policies and staff training that allow us to open our doors again.”

Since its temporary closure earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arts Center has implemented several significant measures based on guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local and state authorities. As always, Arts Center admission is free.

Some of the new measures include the following.

• Public hours have been reduced to allow for deeper cleaning of the Arts Center facilities. The Arts Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with Thursday hours extending to 7 p.m. Member-only hours are 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday through Saturday.

• Timed reservations have been instituted to allow for social distancing within the building and galleries. Reservations can be made online at jmkac.org. Walk-in visitors will be accommodated if a time slot is available.




• Face masks are required for all staff and guests. A limited number of masks are available upon request.

• Visitors and Arts Center staff must maintain a social distance of at least six feet from each other. However, social distancing is not required for visitors within the same group.

• The museum will be thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis and high-touch surfaces will be sanitized throughout the day.

• Hand-sanitizing stations are located throughout the building.

Highlighting the reopening is a new group exhibition, titled Between You and Me, featuring contemporary artists whose work engages in acts of community connection and care. Included are works by Chloë Bass, Sara Clugage, General Sisters (Dana Bishop-Root and Ginger Brooks Takahashi), Harriet Tubman Center for Expanded Curatorial Practice with Lisa Jarrett and Harrell Fletcher featuring the work of Lawrence Oliver, John Preus, Benjamin Todd Wills, and Christine Wong Yap. Between You and Me is part of On Being Here (and There), an exhibition series exploring how artistic practices can enhance and activate our communities.

Online offerings such as 360-degree gallery videos, art activities, and artist interviews related to Being Here (and There) can be explored online at jmkac.org/cares. Information about the Thursday Nights Together (at a Distance) program are available at jmkac.org.

To make a free reservation and read the full Arts Center reopening protocols, visit jmkac.org/reservations or call 920-458-6144. The John Michael Kohler Arts Center is located at 608 New York Ave., in downtown Sheboygan, Wis.