What It's Like to be Back at the Bruce

After a heart-wrenching but necessary closure to help the community recover from the coronavirus pandemic, the Bruce Museum reopened its doors on Saturday, June 27, 2020, offering not only members but all visitors free admission to view the three diverse exhibitions currently on view and to shop in the ever-popular Museum Store.

The Museum staff has taken every precaution to ensure a safe and restorative experience for the public. In addition to following all health guidelines and protocols issued by local and state agencies, the Museum has put in place extra steps to address the needs and concerns of each and every visitor.

The Museum has extended its operating hours, opening at 9:30 am, Tuesday through Sunday, to welcome self-selected individuals over the age of 65 or who are immunocompromised. To thank our wonderful members for their patience and support, the Bruce is pleased to offer Museum members one hour of special access, from 10:30 to 11:30 am each day. These and other visits may be made with advanced reservations for timed ticket entry by going to brucemuseum.org or calling 203-869-0376.

So what’s it like to once again visit the Bruce Museum in person? Hear from some of our members and other visitors, responding to a post-visit survey:

•   “Every staff member we encountered, from the moment we walked in the door, including staff in the shop, was very welcoming.” -- Joel Lutzker.
•   “Thanks for a wonderful effort to provide a safe, well organized, and uplifting exhibition to the community in these challenging times.” -- Robert Bruce Circle member Robert Whitby.
•   “The gallery attendant was helpful, and we liked the floor arrows. We did go to the gift shop, bought a snuggly animal for a new baby. It was gift wrapped and we did get the special 20% discount for members. Easy and nice!”” -- Museum members Linda and Irwin Lefkowitz.
•   “[The annual high school student artist exhibition] iCreate continues to astound me. Such talented young adults. I also liked having a wider geographical area represented. Well done, and congratulations to iCreate organizer Mary Ann Lendenmann. I’m going back to view again.” -- Anonymous.
•   “It was so good to be back in the Museum. It felt like coming home!” -- Museum member Sarah Britton.

We love our Members! Reasons to join or renew now include: 

•      Two months free membership with the promo code EXTEND2020. 
•      Double Discount in the Museum store (20% off) through July 2020, plus Concierge Service offering curbside pickup and free delivery in Greenwich.
•      Free Bruce Experiences programs. Click here to register for “Impressions of L.A. Ring: On a Threshold,” a virtual audiovisual concert by Danish jazz pianist Nikolaj Hess, Sunday, July 19, 2:00 pm via Zoom.
•      Reciprocal admission through FWMA and ASTC and more.
•      Already a member? Thank you! Share the gift of art and science when you purchase a gift membership for a friend, neighbor or family member!

“I’m pleased that so many of you discovered, used, and enjoyed the new online programs, exhibitions, and events that we developed to serve you during our temporary closure,” says Robert Wolterstorff, The Susan E. Lynch Executive Director. We plan on continuing our increased digital presence in the future—but as a Museum, we are really about providing you with the chance to experience real objects in real space. We have some great Art and Science exhibitions right now. That’s why we can’t wait to welcome you back to the Museum!”

Now on view in the Bantle Lecture Gallery is the iCreate 2020 exhibition of emerging artists. This highly regarded annual juried competition, in its11th consecutive year, features 56 works of fine art selected from more than 850 submissions from high school students throughout Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York. iCreate 2020 will be on view through August 2.

The Bruce Museum is pleased to announce that the major international exhibition, On the Edge of the World: Masterworks by Laurits Andersen Ring from SMK—the National Gallery of Denmark, has been extended and will be on view in the main gallery through August 9. On the Edge of the World showcases 25 of the most important pieces that represent the key themes and sheer variety and complexity of the work of L.A. Ring, considered one of the most important figures in Danish art. The Bruce Museum is the only East Coast venue to host the exhibition in the U.S.

The Under the Skin science exhibition is on view in the Museum’s newly expanded gallery space. Under the Skin samples images made possible by a remarkable array of technologies—CT scanning, infrared cameras, electron microscopy, and more—that allow scientists to visualize the marvels of evolution that lie below the surface. Natural history specimens from the Bruce Museum and on loan from other collections complement each image.

Please be aware that visitors are required to wear a mask or cloth face covering that completely covers the nose and mouth, as directed by state law and CDC guidelines. Maximum safe occupancy for each exhibition space or area has been calculated to allow for social distancing between groups (including staff) and to comply with state guidance regarding social gathering in indoor spaces.

The exhibition galleries of the Museum employ one-way flow and limited capacities. Touchable interactives have been disabled throughout the galleries. Hand sanitizer is available at entrance points and common areas. The Museum Store also has controlled access, with minimal touch transactions, as well as curbside pickup and free delivery throughout Greenwich.

For more information about reservations, membership, or current and upcoming exhibitions, visit brucemuseum.org. If you have any questions about the safety guidelines, please review this set of FAQs or call 203-869-0376 prior to your visit.