Delaware museums ramp up virtual content to comply with stay-at-home orders

It’s been more than a month since any of us have been to a gallery or museum. Maybe you miss visiting them, maybe you took them for granted before the lockdown, but either way, it’s a good time to get to spend some with Delaware’s local museums — virtually, of course.

Like performing artists and musicians, museums are relying on the internet to reach the community, with virtual tours, workshops and reminders that many museum archives are digital and can be explored from home.

“Museums around the world are adapting their onsite programs and using online platforms to serve their communities,” said Saralyn Rosenfeld, director of learning and engagement at the Delaware Art Museum. “Our virtual programs highlight our unique collection, feature local artists, and offer an educational, creative and entertaining experience.”

The Delaware Art Museum recently announced increased virtual programming during its closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Glory of Stories, the Museum’s storytelling program for kids that incorporates works of art from the museum’s collection, art activities and children’s literature, offers four recorded sessions, available through June 1, on its Facebook page.
• While studio art classes are on hold, the museum will be offering five- to 10-minute art project tutorial videos that use common household objects, coordinated by Studio Programs Manager Rebecca Howell.
• In lieu of its performance series, Jonathan Whitney, the museum’s manager of performance programs and community engagement, has coordinated a series of 20-minute videos showcasing performance artists and musicians, including Jea Street, Jr. and Jeff Knoettner, who you may know as the pianist from the Cartoon Christmas Trio. Each video will launch with a virtual watch party on Friday nights on the Facebook page.

In addition to the museum’s virtual events, you can explore the collections and exhibitions online, including the special exhibition Layered Abstraction: Margo Allman & Helen Mason.

Here’s what other Delaware museums have going on virtually:

Hagley Museum

Hagley’s digital archives are nothing new, including extensive oral history audio files and digital content on topics ranging from beer and brewing, historical product packaging, African American painter Edward Loper, patent medicine, and the history of industry in the Brandywine Valley.

Other virtual content from Hagley includes virtual yoga classes, 360 virtual tours and a printable COVID-19 time capsule to help families record what they’re doing and feeling during this moment in history.

Biggs Museum of American Art

The Biggs Museum in Dover offers virtual gallery “walking” tours; virtual exhibitions, including Hannah Robinson, American Impressionism and the Peale Family; and a downloadable workbook for kids.

The Delaware Contemporary

Looking to buy some art? The Delaware Contemporary is currently holding an online auction of work by artists featured in the exhibition Focal Points: Women Advancing The Aperture, a group exhibition of contemporary female photographers, in place of its annual fundraiser. Auction ends April 25.

An exhibition of artwork made during the COVID-19 pandemic, Together from a Distance — A Fresh Start, is now accepting entries via Instagram. Deadline is April 30.

The Delaware Contemporary also offers art education materials for ages 3 to 7 and an online teaching resource on contemporary art.

Delaware Museum of Natural History

DelMNH is a great resource for parents navigating school-at-home, with daily story time at 11 a.m. on its Facebook page, live animal presentations, behind-the-scenes tours, videos of scientific collections, and online exhibitions.

Rockwood Park Museum

Rockwood is featuring virtual tours of the historic (and haunted) estate, including its famous Ghost Tours.

Lewes Historical Society

Every Friday, the Lewes Historical Society will share the latest episode of its online series “Meet the Past”(featuring the 1813 Bombardment and Blockade of Lewes) and “Lewes Legends & Landmarks.”

Also available for download are “Letters From Lewes” lesson plans, geared toward fifth and sixth graders.