Once again, the opening of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures has been pushed back again to September 30, 2021. More specifically, the delay is due to “rising virus infection rates, museums remaining closed, and continued restrictions on public gatherings in Los Angeles.” 

“We are putting the final touches on our stunning exhibitions and public spaces,” said Academy museum director and president Bill Kramer. “And while we were ready and eager to welcome visitors in the spring, with the current surge of Covid-19, it would be irresponsible to maintain an April opening. We know a new day is coming for us all, and when it does, the Academy museum will be ready to offer our visitors the remarkable experience we have all been wanting.” 

After being announced in 2012, the museum was originally set to open in 2017. Construction delays, financial problems and eventually the pandemic caused the Academy to push the opening back multiple times. The previously planned release date before the new delay was in April 30, 2021, which would’ve been right after the April 25 Oscar ceremony.  

“We used that timing strategically, thinking back then that we would be far out of the pandemic in April,” Kramer said. “Obviously, that’s not going to be. We will still have a presence on the Oscars. And we will lean into virtual programming options between April and September around museum content, to make our presence and content known.” 

It remains to be seen what this year’s Oscar ceremony will look like. The Motion Picture Academy is trying to make an in-person event happen, but it probably won’t look like the Oscar ceremonies we’ve seen in recent years.