For Immediate Release 

CLARK ART INSTITUTE and MASS MoCA ANNOUNCE VACCINE REQUIREMENT FOR VISITORS EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1, 2021

(October 13, 2021) — The Clark Art Institute and MASS MoCA announced today that as of November 1, 2021 all visitors will be required to show proof that they have received the COVID-19 vaccination prior to entering their facilities.

“We continue to place the health and safety of our visitors, staff, and community at the forefront of our thinking,” said Olivier Meslay, Hardymon Director of the Clark. “Taking the additional precaution of requiring all visitors to provide proof of vaccination is the most effective and prudent approach through which the Clark can do its part to help stem the spread of the coronavirus. We trust that our guests will be supportive of this effort.”

"The vaccine requirement we put in place for FreshGrass was overwhelmingly well-received, so our staff now has a playbook to work from," said Tracy Moore, Deputy Director of MASS MoCA. "We're committed to maintaining safe and healthy conditions as we approach the winter months and start to spend more time indoors."

The Clark’s staff, its library patrons, and all contractors working for the Institute are already operating under a similar vaccination requirement. MASS MoCA's vaccine requirement for employees went into effect October 8.

The Clark’s Vaccine Policy:

Beginning on November 1, visitors to the Clark above the age of twelve will be required to show their vaccination card (issued either by the Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization) or other proof of vaccination at the Clark’s Admissions desk in order to gain entry. All individuals must present proof of vaccination documents indicating that they have had at least one dose of any of the US-approved vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson), or vaccines approved by foreign governments, administered at least two weeks prior to their arrival. Unvaccinated visitors under the age of twelve are welcome but must be accompanied by a vaccinated adult. All visitors age five and older are required to wear a face covering at all times while inside the Clark’s buildings and outdoors when social distancing is not possible. Anyone who is unable to comply with this policy will be asked to visit at a later date.

MASS MoCA’s Vaccine Policy:

Effective Monday, November 1, all visitors to MASS MoCA over the age of 12 must show proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination (accompanied by a photo ID for visitors over 18). Acceptable forms of proof include a photo or hard copy of an official immunization record of a vaccine administered from within or outside the U.S. Digital forms of state or federally issued proof of vaccination such as the NY Excelsior Pass are also acceptable. Children under 12 who are not vaccinated must be accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult. Masks are required for everyone over two years of age while indoors.

Visitors unable to follow these new health and safety entry requirements who have already bought tickets are asked to contact the MASS MoCA Box Office at [email protected] to receive a full refund.

For further information on the Clark’s health and safety protocols, visit clarkart.edu/health. For information about MASS MoCA's health and safety protocols, visit massmoca.org/visit. To find a nearby vaccination location, please visit vaccinefinder.org.

About the Clark

The Clark Art Institute, located in the Berkshires of western Massachusetts, is one of a small number of institutions globally that is both an art museum and a center for research, critical discussion, and higher education in the visual arts. Opened in 1955, the Clark houses exceptional European and American paintings and sculpture, extensive collections of master prints and drawings, English silver, and early photography. Acting as convener through its Research and Academic Program, the Clark gathers an international community of scholars to participate in a lively program of conferences, colloquia, and workshops on topics of vital importance to the visual arts. The Clark library, consisting of more than 275,000 volumes, is one of the nation’s premier art history libraries. The Clark also houses and co-sponsors the Williams College Graduate Program in the History of Art.

The Clark, which has a three-star rating in the Michelin Green Guide, is located at 225 South Street in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Its 140-acre campus includes miles of hiking and walking trails through woodlands and meadows, providing an exceptional experience of art in nature. Galleries are open 10 am to 5 pm Tuesday through Sunday, from September through June, and daily in July and August. Advance timed tickets are required. Admission is $20; free year-round for Clark members, all visitors age 21 and under, and students with a valid student ID. Free admission is available through several programs, including First Sundays Free; a local library pass program; and EBT Card to Culture. For more information on these programs and more, visit clarkart.edu or call 413 458 2303.

About MASS MoCA

MASS MoCA is one of the world’s liveliest centers for making and enjoying today’s most evocative art. With vast galleries and a stunning collection of indoor and outdoor performing arts venues, MASS MoCA is able to embrace all forms of art: music, sculpture, dance, film, painting, photography, theater, and new, boundary-crossing works of art that defy easy classification. Much of the work we show in our light-filled spaces, on our technically sophisticated stages, and within our lovely network of late 19th century courtyards is made here during extended fabrication and rehearsal residencies that bring hundreds of the world’s most brilliant and innovative artists to North Adams all year round. For more information about MASS MoCA, visit www.massmoca.org.

Press Contact: [email protected]