Return of the Nelson: The Nelson-Atkins Museum opens up after a six-month shutdown

After a cumbersome sixth-month hiatus, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Nelson-Atkins Museum is back in business.

While driving by the Nelson this summer, it was almost expected to see the museum lawn filled with — socially distant— partakers of nature. However, on the inside, the sculptures and paintings stood as dust-collectors encased by the museum walls.

On Sept. 12, the museum opened its doors to art-fanatics and casual visitors alike into the freshly-cleaned museum. The Nelson is back to its usual operations. Every section of the museum is open to the public, meaning favorites from the Egyptian statues to recent paintings in the contemporary section. With all the exhibits being operational comes rigorous safety precautions. Hearing this news, I grabbed a couple friends and planned my return.

Before our arrival at the museum, we reserved and printed our free tickets for entry. Luckily, the tickets were free and it was a painless task to get them. Once at the museum entrance, you hand over your ticket, then you’re set to roam the museum for as long as your art-enchanted heart desires — with your mask on of course. 

Almost immediately into my art excursion, the amount of people — or lack thereof — was eye-catching. There was definitely a large gap in the ratio of floor space to patrons. While I wouldn’t say I’m a Nelson expert, compared to the past few times I’ve been, the attendance was much higher than this time. 

I actually enjoyed the freer space left by this visitor deficit, there were a lot less awkward interactions when crossing paths with a stranger trying to get to the Roman sculptures. With fewer attendees each exhibit remained nearly silent, which enhanced my ability to spot details like brushstrokes and technique. When talking with my friends, it felt mandatory to whisper, even though it was a good chance there was no one else to pick up on my dad joke like comments about Claude Monet’s “Lily Field” painting.

Throughout our walk around the various maze-like halls and corridors, we found new pieces that never failed to amaze us. Even though this was my fifth time walking through the exhibits, there always seemed to be something new to discover— a new photograph, a new commission of a Roman statue — the list goes on.

It was a great experience to be back in such a Kansas City staple, I suggest you book a ticket ASAP and go experience the Nelson post-COVID shut down.