July 01, 2025
Archive

NIU Art Museum reopens to the public

The Northern Illinois University Art Museum has reopened. Pictured in the foreground is detail of Mike Rea’s "Tight Notes and Black Holes," CTINH, 2019, wood and rope, with Michael Barnes’ "Animals of Bremen," 2018-2019, lithograph, and Nina Rizzo’s "Venetian Moon," 2019, oil on canvas seen on the gallery walls. (Photo provided)

DeKALB – The Northern Illinois University Art Museum welcomes the campus and community back to the galleries with the extended exhibition of the NIU School of Art and Design Faculty Biennial Continuum.

The museum is excited to reopen cautiously providing a space for reprieve, contemplation and enjoyment.

Visitors are welcome on campus, but precautions should be taken. Anyone feeling unwell should postpone their visit to another time. Guidance on university events will continue to evolve over the course of the semester. Before visiting, check the website www.niu.edu/artmuseum for the latest information and details on safety, scheduling changes, cancellations or additional notices.

New protocols and cleaning procedures help protect campus and community, students, faculty and staff. Changes include new limited hours, capacity restrictions, and timed entry scheduled online for convenience.

The new limited hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, noon to 6 p.m. Fridays, noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and by limited appointment.

Admission is free and the museum is open to the public.

What to know before visiting:

• Gallery capacity is currently limited to six people per gallery.

• Large group gatherings are not permitted and the ability to conduct guided tours is impacted.

• Timed entry can be scheduled online for convenience and safety at niu.edu/artmuseum.

Physical distancing is encouraged. Visitors should maintain 6 feet of distance from others and avoid gathering in groups.

Face masks are required over the nose and mouth and secured under the chin whenever inside campus buildings.

While campus group gatherings are not permitted, museum staff anticipates presenting pre-recorded and live virtual experiences this fall as part of the calendar of events. Continue to check the website for new content and instructions on how to join in and watch from home.

The School of Art and Design Faculty Biennial Continuum exhibition runs through Nov. 14. The work on display represents the activity and interests of individual members of the School of Art and Design, but also the breadth of the arts programs and disciplines offered at NIU.

Work includes the fields of art and design education, art history, ceramics, drawing, fibers, illustration, metals and jewelry, painting, photography, printmaking, visual communications, sculpture, and time arts.