SALEM — The Peabody Essex Museum is offering free admission to anyone who gets vaccinated against COVID-19 at the museum on Friday nights.
The museum has partnered with healthcare company Curative to offer the Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays. Those who get the vaccine will gain entry to the museum, which is open until 8 p.m. on Fridays, and be entered into the state’s VaxMillions lottery.
The vaccine is administered in the museum’s H.A. Crosby Forbes Gallery, where patients can receive their shot and at the same time enjoy a painted installation by artist Vanessa Platacis adorning the walls.
“We wanted a space where people could enjoy the art and be in a beautiful environment, because it’s a beautiful moment,” said Natalia Laskaris, director of event rentals at PEM.
During the pandemic, PEM has started multiple community partnerships, beginning with donating its extra personal protective equipment used by its facilities staff to health care workers. The museum also began gifting memberships to essential workers at Salem Hospital for every membership that was purchased during the pandemic, and teamed up with Salem Pantry for a joint fundraising program.
Whitney Van Dyke, the museum’s director of communications, said that they had wanted for a long time to offer vaccines at the museum, and were happy to begin that process.
“Now that we’re at this juncture where the main (vaccine) sites have closed, we can fill this gap,” she said. “It has a celebratory feel to it, and that’s heightened by being surrounded by art.”
Van Dyke added that she was glad the museum could offer such a unique setting for the important work of administering vaccines.
“The environments aren’t always as innately inspiring,” she said. “This is a way for the museum to give back.”
Dex Lindgren of Salem was the first to receive his shot at the PEM. He said he was nervous to get his first dose, but felt that it was a good idea in the long run.
“I’m really planning on winning the $1 million,” he joked. “If you look at all the places to (get vaccinated), this is the coolest one.”
