There are few upsides to the pandemic. One of the big ones is that you can go to a major international museum and share the galleries with only one or two other people. There was a time, 30 years ago maybe, when one could go to MoMA and casually view a Monet or a Pollock with a clear view and little competition for seating. It is a wonderful thing that museums have become so much more popular, but the downside is often a mob scene that is not really optimal for quiet contemplation of a masterwork.
Hello Covid, and with the changed admissions policies, one can now go and have pretty much an entire gallery to one’s self. If you are a New Yorker, this is fantastic. If you are from anywhere else, prepare to quarantine for 14 days before your visit. I know what you are thinking: How will they know if I escape the confines of my hotel? The authorities are actually rather serious about this so, sorry, this perk of urban living is reserved for locals only.
During Covid, Enjoy the MoMa Almost Entirely to Yourself
But that is not to say there are no other museums you can visit. There are similar admissions policies in place at most of the world’s great art treasure houses. This would be a great time to visit. Interrupt the endless Groundhog Day by adding some beauty to your life. We need beauty, and the internet will only get you so far. Make a reservation, wear a good mask, stay distant from others, and enjoy quietly drinking in works that in other times would be mobbed.
For you lucky New Yorkers, here is what the policies are:
MoMA is open daily, from 10:30 am to 5:30 pm. Mondays are reserved exclusively for members and their guests. Member Early Access, First Thursdays, and UNIQLO Free Friday Nights are currently suspended.
Entry is by advance timed ticket only and capacity is extremely limited. Tickets must be reserved online and will not be available at the museum. Reservations are limited to up to two adult, senior, and student tickets and two children per order. General admission tickets are currently available through October 31. See the Discounts page for more on free admission categories, including select colleges, other museum staff, active military, and more.
From October 1, 2020, through September 30, 2021, healthcare professionals who work in New York City’s five boroughs receive free daily admission, made possible by UNIQLO. To receive a complimentary ticket, and purchase companions’ tickets, if needed, check in at the ticketing desk onsite; advance timed-entry tickets are not required. The Museum’s Flagship Store on 53rd Street and MoMA Design Stores in Midtown and Soho are also offering a 10% discount to healthcare professionals who work in NYC.
Use the main entrance of the Rockefeller Building on 53rd Street, close to Sixth Avenue and just east of the flagship Museum Store. All other entrances are for staff only.
Capacity in the galleries will be limited and visitor flow will be coordinated to maintain social distancing throughout the Museum.
Please arrive during the 30-minute window of your timed ticket. If your plans change and you are unable to visit during your selected day/time, contact tickets@moma.org for a refund or to change your selection.
Your ticket is good for one-time admission only — you may not leave and reenter the Museum.
The checkroom is closed. Large bags (over 11 × 17 × 5” inches [28 × 43 × 13 cm]) are not permitted in the Museum. All bags will be inspected upon arrival. Please wear backpacks on the front of your chest or carry it to the side.
