As we all know, weathering the pandemic was a profound challenge for everyone, including our cultural institutions. At the peak of the crisis, The Met was closed for more than five months, and since reopening in August of 2020, we have experienced significant reductions in tourism levels—a trend that is expected to continue for several years. Of course, we are very fortunate that our Museum—now in its 151st year—is strong and resilient. We have been able to remain steadfast in pursuing our mission and we face nothing like the pressures that have beset smaller cultural institutions that are so essential to our city and nation.
While the Museum's challenges are far from over, I am pleased to report that The Met is once again thriving. Since we reopened in August, attendance has been increasing steadily—from roughly 4,000 visitors a day over the fall and winter to more than 10,000 daily now. And throughout it all, our programmatic team, led by Max Hollein, The Met's Marina Kellen French Director, has continued to deliver a full slate of world-class exhibitions.
We have many to thank for the support that has made this possible, yet we owe a special debt of gratitude to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. Throughout the pandemic, Senator Schumer has been tireless in his support of arts and culture, at The Met and throughout New York and the nation, and he has delivered for arts organizations in many ways, including federal funding from the Shuttered Venues Operators Grant (SVOG) to the federal aid that went to cities (including New York), which enabled the generous support we received from the recently adopted City budget. This past week, The Met received $10 million from the SVOG grant, which is crucial to advancing our mission and connecting with the many communities we serve.
After such a difficult year, it is a thrill to see The Met flourishing once again. The exhibitions that Max and our curatorial team planned for this summer—The Medici: Portraits and Politics, 1512–1570, The New Woman Behind the Camera, Alice Neel: People Come First, and The Roof Garden Commission: Alex Da Corte, As Long as the Sun Lasts—have received wide critical acclaim. And we are very pleased to share that, starting in September, we will once again be open on Tuesdays and resume extended evening hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
It's a wonderful time to visit The Met—we look forward to seeing you in the galleries.
