As the UK looks ahead to a further easing of COVID-19 restrictions this summer, the public arts sector may soon be able to welcome large numbers of visitors for the first time since March 2020. This guest blog by Kate Iddon, Corporate Development Manager at the National Gallery, details how the gallery has functioned throughout the pandemic and what learnings and innovations they will take with them into the post-pandemic world.

In times of crisis, national museums have a crucial role to play. The last year has been unlike any other for the National Gallery, as we faced the dual challenge of adapting to the national lockdowns and upholding our position as a museum for the nation in unprecedented circumstances.

The National Gallery closed its doors to the public initially from 18 March to 17 July in 2020 and again during the subsequent periods of lockdown from November last year. Adapting rapidly and imaginatively to the new circumstances, we remained open to all online.

From the outset of our closure, we relentlessly pursued digital ways to reach our audiences. We tripled the level of digital content produced and continued to create innovative, fresh digital outputs that could be produced remotely and resonate with different audiences during lockdown. Curators’ talks, a series on restoration, a mindfulness series, and online schools’ and family events brought the nation’s gallery into the nation’s homes and provided access to great art for people in the UK and around the world.

Read the full article about reopening the National Gallery by Kate Iddon at Think NPC.