Just as we will always remember where we were on September 11th 2001, March 13th 2020 will resonate with us similarly. My personal “Pandemic Story” began in New York City shortly before the lockdown. Whilst the situation had not been what it would later become, something I distinctly remember was the closing of cultural institutions in the city. New York City is known for Broadway and similar cultural institutions. As the pandemic accelerated, Broadway had indefinitely shut down, and the closing of art museums such as the Met, MoMA, etc. followed shortly after.

This website chronicles the impact of COVID-19 on the arts and their institutions. I begin by reinforcing my research with information on pandemics and COVID-19. I bring in examples of other pandemics in history as a sort of juxtaposition to what we are experiencing today and give a brief overview of the novel coronavirus and how it originated. I then go into detail about COVID-19 and the art world, shedding light on accessibility, and bringing in other “Pandemic Stories.” From there I go into how museums have responded to the pandemic, whether that be expanding digitally or giving back to healthcare workers, and finally project the future of museums and how this pandemic may affect these cultural institutions permanently.

I ask that in navigating this website you reflect on your own experience with the pandemic: “where were you, how did it make you feel, how has your life changed significantly due to the pandemic?” and by doing so, you are weaving together your own Pandemic Story. Thank you, and enjoy as I lead you through a “Pandemic Story” for the arts. 

-Abigail Paternina