UPDATE (5/20/2020): Due to the global health crisis, the 2020 Met Gala has officially been cancelled.

In a statement retained by Vogue, Daniel H. Weiss, president of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 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 Met plans to open their Costume Institution exhibit, which celebrates 150 years of fashion (and the Met): “About Time: Fashion and Duration,” in mid-August, with reduced hours and limited capacity. They hope to have a belated 150th celebration in 2021.

At this point in the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s prudent to assume that any large-scale event planned for next couple of months will be cancelled or postponed – and rightly so, with public health officials recommending everyone practice social distancing. Today’s announcement is no exception; Anna Wintour confirmed that the annual Met Gala, held at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, has been postponed.

The editor-in-chief of Vogue published a letter on the magazine’s website about the decision to postpone the star-studded event. “Due to the unavoidable and responsible decision by the Metropolitan Museum to close its doors, About Time, and the opening night gala, will not take place on the date scheduled,” wrote Wintour. “In the meantime, we will give you a preview of this extraordinary exhibition in our forthcoming May issue.”

The Met Gala is always scheduled on the first Monday in May; this year it would have been on May 4th. The theme was “About Time: Fashion and Duration,” which coincides with the Costume Institute’s upcoming exhibit. However, since the Metropolitan Museum of Art has now closed indefinitely (along with most other New York City museums, galleries and theatres), it is assumed that the exhibition opening will be delayed as well.

The Met Gala is just one of many major events that have been cancelled or postponed over the last few days – Coachella music festival, the Juno Awards and Canadian Screen Awards have all been put on hold.

A new date for the 2020 Met Gala has yet to be announced.

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