What You Need to Know About the Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Last updated: May 28, 2020
This page will be updated regularly with relevant information for Ox-Bow students and faculty.

Letter from April 13, 2020

To Our Ox-Bow Community,

It goes without saying that we are living in uncertain times, and everyone is feeling the acute pressure of this rapid global change. Having survived two World Wars, and countless other crises, Ox-Bow has an extraordinary resiliency serving artists during moments of hardship and surviving as a place of healing. 

At Ox-Bow, our small team has been working diligently to revise our 2020 programs, initiatives and larger organizational outlook to accommodate what remains an unpredictable future. Our priority is to preserve jobs for staff and access to our programs, with the safety and wellbeing of our community in mind.

To that end we have canceled our programming from May 31-July 11, reopening July 12-August 30th with rescheduled classes and a new 13th week. In addition to new precautions for health and safety, we will accommodate students through a single occupancy only model this summer. While we are pivoting towards this shorter season, we remain aware that even this may prove challenging, and if state and national conditions require it, will move to cancel all classes through to the end of August.  

Please visit this FAQ page for more information about what these changes might mean for you.

As we collectively navigate these unfamiliar circumstances, we at Ox-Bow are reminded of how grateful we are for our extended community of friends who have all contributed to the history and spirit of a place that lives long in everyone’s heart.

We look forward to when we can welcome you all back on campus. Until then, may you and your loved ones remain safe,

Yours, 

Shannon R. Stratton

Executive Director

Letter from April 2, 2020

Dear Ox-Bow Community,

In the current environment it is important for us all to consider our personal health and safety, as well as that of our community, in order to limit the spread of COVID-19 (the coronavirus). The Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency leadership and staff, are continually monitoring the rapidly changing developments around COVID-19 in the United States and abroad in consideration of how we can limit its impact, and the impact of other contagious illnesses, on our artistic community. As we look forward to gathering again this summer and fall, we want to update you on some current precautions we are taking to keep our community safe.

With preventive measures being taken nationwide to contain the transmission of COVID-19 through social distancing, we feel confident in moving ahead with our summer schedule of classes, workshops, residencies and programs which commence May 31st. However, while we will maintain our original posted registration dates, we have moved the process to ON-LINE ONLY in order to make it accessible during this heightened period of caution around COVID-19’s transmission and circulation:

  • Students who have applied to scholarships will receive scholarship announcements next week (March 16-20th) with information on how to pre-register for classes.

  • The timestamp supplied at the time of confirmation will ensure the work scholarship opportunity is first-come-first-served and that class spots are given to those who enroll first. 

  • Work Scholarship and Class Registration will be confirmed by an email from Ox-Bow within the week the student’s form submission has been received. We ask for the students’ patience as we process the high volume of registration requests.

  • Ox-Bow staff will be on call to answer questions during this online registration process

Please read more HERE about this spring’s process.

If you are hesitant about making summer plans, please note that we will continue to accept registration on an ongoing basis, throughout the spring and summer season. 

We are committed to providing you with information you need to make informed decisions around your summer travel. Please mark our emails “safe” so you can receive regular updates from Ox-Bow on any new updates or revisions to our programs or policies and please continue to check our website for further information.

Resources on COVID-19 are widely available, please consider checking with the CDC for more information on travel restrictions, early symptoms and precautions you can take to stop the spread of contagious illnesses.

Sincerely,

Shannon R. Stratton

Executive Director

COVID-19 Resources

Resources on COVID-19 are widely available, please consider checking with the CDC for more information on travel restrictions, early symptoms and precautions you can take to stop the spread of contagious illnesses.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Illinois Department of Health
Michigan Department of Health

General questions about COVID-19: Call CO-Help at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 or email COHELP@RMPDC.org, for answers in English and Spanish (Español), Mandarin (普通话), and more.