ROM Announces New Reopening Date 

TORONTO, July 9, 2021 – The Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) is pleased to announce a revised date of July 17 for its much-anticipated reopening to the public. In accordance with the accelerated Step 3 transition in Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopen plan, the Museum will welcome visitors back through its doors with spacious galleries, three major exhibitions, and millions of objects to explore. 

ONLINE TICKET SALES

• Members: Tuesday, July 13 at 10 am: Members enjoy exclusive access to ROM galleries and exhibitions on July 16, 2021.
• General Public: Thursday, July 15 at 10 am: Doors to the Museum open to all visitors on July 17, 2021.
• Regular Museum Hours*: 10 am to 5:30 pm; Wednesdays to Sundays weekly (*not including July 14, 15)

SPECIAL EXHIBITIONS

Great Whales: Up Close and Personal (Reopening day to March 20, 2022): In this stunning new ROM-original exhibition, audiences are immersed into the world of Atlantic Canada’s majestic underwater giants with an opportunity to meet and learn about the North Atlantic right whale, the sperm whale, and the largest animal ever to have existed on Earth, the blue whale. Great Whales is supported by lead exhibition patrons Nita and Don Reed & Family and supporting sponsor Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism.

Elias Sime: Tightrope (Reopening day to September 6, 2021): This new limited-time, must-see exhibition features the vibrant, large-scale artworks of acclaimed contemporary Ethiopian artist Elias Sime. Its 23 intricately woven artworks are made with found materials and deliver timely messages on the tensions between nature and technology. This Canadian-exclusive presentation is organized by the Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.

The Cloth that Changed the World: India’s Painted and Printed Cottons (ongoing to January 2, 2022): This ROM-original exhibition presents the Museum’s world-renowned collection of Indian chintz to the public for the first time in 50 years, exploring themes of trade, craft, human rights, and the environment. It is complemented by companion installation Florals: Desire and Design (closes on January 3, 2022).

NEW! ROM AUDIO GUIDES AND TOURS *Available by July 22

Designed to deepen and enhance the ROM experience, new guides for ROM permanent galleries include Museum Highlights, Canada, First Peoples, Dinosaurs and Korea Gallery and are available in English, French and Korean. New guides for Elias Sime: Tightrope and The Cloth That Changed the World are also available. Permanent gallery audio guides were generously supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.

INDOOR DINING & ROM BOUTIQUE

The Druxy’s ROM Café will be open in accordance with Province of Ontario Step 3 capacity guidelines. The ROM Boutique will open starting July 16 from 11 am to 6 pm.

NEW! ROMKids Virtual Family Workshops

ROM is pleased to announce a new, socially distanced summer program for children and families to enjoy from home. ROMKids Virtual Family Workshops for children aged 5 to 12 offers virtual one-day workshops through the month of August featuring themes of archaeology, palaeontology, geology, biodiversity and astronomy. The workshops will run Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays starting Wednesday, August 4 through Friday, September 3, 2021. Registration for Members begins Wednesday, July 14 and July 15 for the general public.Please note: ROM Summer Club in-person camps are on hold for Summer 2021.

ROM AND STEP 3 OF ONTARIO’S ROADMAP TO REOPENING

The ROM’s large and welcoming indoor spaces will feature the following COVID-19-related protocols:

• Timed ticketing and limited capacity: In accordance with the Province’s plan, the ROM will operate at up to 50% capacity and tickets will be offered on a limited, timed basis.
• Air filtration: ROM uses museum-standard MERV-14 filtration, which exceeds COVID-19 best practice recommendations set by the American Society for Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineer.
• Enhanced cleaning protocols: Areas are wiped and sanitized on an hourly basis (at minimum).
• Safety protocols: Wayfinding and floor markers are in place for social distanced viewing.

TEMPORARY CLOSURES: Bat Cave; CIBC Discovery Gallery; Patrick and Barbara Keenan Family Gallery of Hands-on Biodiversity; coat check; fountains. The ROM's reopening does not currently include in-person guided tours (inside or outside the Museum) or school-based visits.

   -30-

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

ROM Communications
media@rom.on.ca

ROM Social
Instagram: @romtoronto
Facebook: @royalontariomuseum
Twitter: @ROMToronto

ABOUT THE ROM
Opened in 1914, the Royal Ontario Museum showcases art, culture and nature from around the world and across the ages. Among the top 10 cultural institutions in North America, Canada’s largest and most comprehensive museum is home to a world-class collection of 13 million art objects and natural history specimens, featured in 40 gallery and exhibition spaces. As the country’s preeminent field research institute and an international leader in new and original findings, the ROM plays a vital role in advancing our understanding of the artistic, cultural and natural world. Combining its original heritage architecture with the contemporary Daniel Libeskind-designed Michael Lee-Chin Crystal, the ROM serves as a national landmark, and a dynamic cultural destination in the heart of Toronto for all to enjoy. Note: The ROM temporarily closed its doors to the public on Monday, November 23, 2021, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and in accordance with the directive of the Province of Ontario.