It’s official, there will be no Met Gala this year 2020

It’s now official: There will be no Met gala in 2020. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, which has been closed since mid March, announced today that the Met gala, often called the party of the year, has been canceled for 2020.

In a statement issued this afternoon, the museum said that the gala had been canceled “due to the global health crisis.

The Met gala, typically held on the first Monday in May, is both the most star-studded social event of the spring and a critical fundraiser for the Costume Institute, acting as the main source of annual funding for exhibitions, publications, acquisitions, and capital improvements. Last year, the gala for the exhibition “Camp: Notes on Fashion” raised a reported $15 million.

This year’s exhibition at the Costume Institute, “About Time: Fashion and Duration,” will trace a century and a half of fashion from 1870 to the present on the occasion of the Met’s 150th anniversary. It is scheduled to open on October 29 and run through February 7, 2021. The majority of objects in the show will be drawn from the Costume Institute’s collection, including major gifts from designers as part of the Met’s 2020 Collections Initiative.

In addition to today’s announcement about the Met gala, the museum updated its status on its planned reopening, saying it would now take place in mid August “or perhaps a few weeks later.”

Daniel H. Weiss, president of the museum, said: “The Met has endured much in its 150 years and today continues as a beacon of hope for the future.

This museum is also a profound reminder of the strength of the human spirit and the power of art to offer comfort, inspiration, and community. As we endure these challenging and uncertain times, we are encouraged by looking forward to the day when we can once again welcome all to enjoy the Met’s collection and exhibitions.”

The days and hours that the Met will be open to the public will likely be reduced at first. And to maintain social distancing requirements, the museum will not have tours, talks, concerts, or events through calendar year 2020. The museum said it expects to resume these activities in 2021, “including a belated celebration of its 150th anniversary.”

Content courtesy of Vogue