The Rice Museum will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 1. Visitors will notice a few changes, including new flooring, new displays, and a reorganization of gallery spaces.
In preparation for reopening, the Museum will use an advance reservation system and take other health and safety measures outlined by the State, CDC, and other public health officials. The Rice has prioritized three goals:
- Protecting the health and safety of visitors;
- Deliver on its public service mission of education; and
- Contributing to the recovery of the Portland Metro area.
NEW OPERATING PROCEDURES: The Museum will be open three days a week, Friday- Sunday 10:00 to 5:00 pm, and require advanced reservation as a means for limiting attendance. New health protocols have been instituted to protect the health and safety of visitors and staff, including limiting attendance; requiring facial coverings; requiring physical distancing; self-screening; implementing enhanced cleaning procedures; adding plexiglass barriers at the ticketing counter; limiting elevator and restroom capacity; and providing hand sanitizer throughout the facility.
NEW EXHIBITION: The Smithsonian poster exhibition “Picturing Women Inventors” will be on display at the Rice throughout the Summer. Organized by the Smithsonian and the United States Patent and Trademark Office, “Picturing Women Inventors” explores the inventions of 19 highly accomplished American women. Astronauts, computer pioneers, and businesswomen join athletes, engineers, and even teenagers in this remarkable group of inventors.
NEW ACCESS PROGRAMS: With the commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences. The Rice has joined the access programs Museums for All and Blue Star Museums. The Museums for All program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting the Rice Museum for a reduced fee of $3.00 per person, up to four people, with the presentation of a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The Blue Star Museums program begins on Armed Forces Day—Saturday, May 15, 2021, and ends on Labor Day—Monday, September 6, 2021. Active-duty military personnel, including the National Guard and Reserves, and their families will receive free admission to the Museum with the presentation of a valid military id.
The Museum has been closed to the public since November 17 following guidance from Governor Brown to help slow the spread of COVID-19 and recover from a January flooding incident.