Note from the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks (CMATO) today:
With great sadness, the Board of Directors of the California Museum of Art Thousand Oaks (CMATO) announces that as a result of significant revenue losses brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum will close its doors on June 19 after nearly ten years of operation.
Founded in 2008, CMATO's mission is to engage, educate and enrich the lives of our visitors and our community through the visual arts. The Museum has presented acclaimed exhibitions, delivered hundreds of educational programs for adults, families and seniors, and welcomed thousands of visitors since opening its first physical space in 2015.
Sadly, we are not alone in facing this operational distress. We know from the American Alliance of Museums that many museums continue to face substantial financial losses following the pandemic, and that thousands of smaller museums, long under resourced, are at risk for permanent closure.
This is a deep disappointment to all of us who cherish CMATO, our mission and who share our belief that access to art, in all of its forms, is essential to a thriving community. The Museum has been a gathering place for the community for many years, allowing us to examine our shared humanity, to voice and to express, and to bring people and ideas together.
We hope CMATO's lasting impact will live on through the creativity of families, children, teachers, artists, and all who have been touched by what our founders believed: that CMATO exists for the enjoyment, education and benefit of all.
