Melbourne's Art Galleries and Museums Will Start to Reopen from Mid-November

This month, life is going to be a little more normal for Melburnians. Two new phases of eased COVID-19 restrictions have come into effect over the past fortnight — at the end of October and again on November 8 — and another is slated for November 22. And, as part of the just-implemented set of changes, the city's cultural institutions can reopen — so get ready to visit galleries and museums.

While Premier Daniel Andrews said that the reopening of these kinds of entertainment venues became permissible from 11.59pm on November 8, Melbourne's major cultural institutions are staggering their relaunch dates across the next month or so. Similarly to restaurants, bars, pubs and cafes, they'll need to adhere to strict social-distancing guidelines, with 20 people per venue or 20 per space (if that applies) permitted inside at present. Times will need to be staggered, too, so that there's a minimum interval of 30 minutes between sessions to avoid crowds milling around in foyers.

Come Monday, November 16, you'll be able to head to Melbourne Museum, the Immigration Museum and Scienceworks, with tickets going on sale at 1pm on Friday, November 13. Bookings are obviously essential given the restricted patron numbers.

Over at National Gallery of Victoria, it's splitting its relaunch dates. At The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, the doors will swing back open on Monday, November 23 — with retrospective exhibition DESTINY, featuring the work of artist Destiny Deacon — and free tickets are available to book from Monday, November 16. At NGV International, however, patrons won't be able to head back in until Saturday, December 19, with the site reopening in line with its huge NGV Triennial.

Given that Premier Andrews only announced this past weekend that galleries and museums could welcome back Melburnians this week, expect more reopening dates to be announced over the coming weeks — just in time for you to escape the summer heat while looking at stunning art and informative exhibitions.

For more information about Melbourne Museum, the Immigration Museum and Scienceworks's reopening, head to the Museums Victoria website. For further details about the National Gallery of Victoria's reopening plans, head to its website as well.

Top image: Scienceworks 'Beyond Perception' courtesy of Museums Victoria.