The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, renowned for its world-class art collection, had to close its doors early this past Thursday. This closure came as a response to a scheduled demonstration by the environmental group Extinction Rebellion. The museum, which houses iconic art pieces by celebrated artists such as Rembrandt, Botticelli, and Raphael, had to make this tough call to ensure the safety of its visitors, staff, and the invaluable collections it maintains.
The museum’s director, Peggy Fogelman, expressed her concerns about the potential disruption of the museum’s collections and the visitor experience. The team behind the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is committed to providing a peaceful and enriching environment for art lovers. Hence, the decision to close early was taken to minimize the impact of the protest on the museum’s daily operations and on the visitors’ experience.
However, Extinction Rebellion has clarified that their intention was not to disrupt the museum or its collections. Instead, they aimed to raise awareness about biodiversity loss, a pressing issue that requires immediate attention and action.
This is not the first time the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum has been temporarily closed. In a separate incident, the museum had to shut its doors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This closure led to a series of protests symbolizing the community’s loss due to the inability to access the cultural and artistic resources the museum provides.
In 2019, the museum was the backdrop of another protest organized by the Climate Emergency Fund. The demonstrators demanded an end to donations from the Sackler family, asserting that such donations were “tainted” due to the family’s involvement in the opioid crisis. The Museum, once again, closed its doors to ensure safety during the protest, justifying their decision with the need to protect their visitors, staff, and collections.
The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, therefore, continues to uphold its commitment to safeguard its collections, staff, and visitors, even when facing external pressures such as protests. This commitment is part of its mission to provide an enriching and safe experience for all art enthusiasts.
