August 28 Update About Reopening BGC’s 86th Street Campus
Bard Graduate Center (BGC) will reopen its 86th Street campus on September 8, 2020. This reopening plan takes the safety of BGC’s students, faculty, staff, and visitors as its highest priority. Buildings will reopen for in-person classes with important changes to help ensure the safety and well-being of all. The BGC Gallery will reopen for a limited time, October 13–28, with timed and contactless entry, restricted occupancy, and social distancing. As the public health situation evolves and the state provides new guidance, BGC will adjust and share updated plans accordingly. Click for the complete reopening plan.
April 6, 2020 Update Regarding COVID-19

BGC buildings on West 86th Street remain closed.


Dean Peter N. Miller’s Statement on Non-Discrimination

Bard Graduate Center is committed to maintaining an educational, working, and living environment that is free of all forms of discrimination and where every member can thrive. It is essential that we all be supportive, respectful, and inclusive of the members of our community.

Plagues have, historically, challenged this larger sense of community. Viral and bacterial outbreaks have also been occasions for the outbreak of violence against smaller and weaker parts of the wider community. BGC deplores the recent stigmatizing of Asian-Americans and reminds all members of its community that upholding our values in more difficult times is the true indication of what we really believe in.

So, too, if you see someone wearing a mask, do not assume that the individual wearing it has symptoms or is at risk. Wearing a mask is a widespread preventive habit in several countries, and is viewed as a gesture of consideration for others.


March 20, 2020 Update Regarding COVID-19
BGC buildings on West 86th Street remain closed.

There are no confirmed cases or known links to COVID-19 among BGC students, faculty, or staff. In compliance with Governor Cuomo’s “New York State on PAUSE” executive order, Bard Graduate Center’s academic building and library at 38 West 86 Street and its Gallery at 18 West 86th Street remain closed

MA and PhD students enrolled in Bard Graduate Center will continue their classes online through the end of the semester.

All public events scheduled through June 30, 2020 have been canceled or postponed. Visit bgc.bard.edu/events/ for details.

March 15, 2020 Update Regarding Covid-19

BGC buildings on West 86th Street remain closed.

There are no confirmed cases or known links to COVID-19 among BGC students, faculty, or staff. The health of the BGC community and its visitors is our top priority. Therefore, Bard Graduate Center’s academic building and library at 38 West 86th Street will close until Monday, March 23. Its Gallery at 18 West 86th Street will close until Tuesday, March 24.

MA and PhD students enrolled in Bard Graduate Center will continue their classes online through March 27, 2020.

All public events scheduled through April 15, 2020 have been canceled or postponed. Visit bgc.bard.edu/events/ for details.

March 11th Update Regarding COVID-19

BGC closes Thursday, March 12; reopens week of Monday, March 16.

Bard Graduate Center will close for deep cleaning, Thursday, March 12–Sunday, March 15.

The library, classrooms, and academic offices at 38 West 86th Street will reopen on Monday, March 16.

The Gallery at 18 West 86th Street will reopen for its regular hours on Tuesday, March 17.

There are no confirmed cases or known links to COVID-19 among BGC students, faculty, or staff.

March 10th Update Regarding COVID-19

Events Canceled Through March 30

In light of the rapidly changing situation surrounding COVID-19, Bard Graduate Center is canceling all public talks and events through March 30. Please visit the BGC events page for complete details. If you purchased tickets for an event, your purchase will be refunded in full. Email [email protected] if you have any questions.

What You Should Know

  • Bard Graduate Center and its Gallery remain open.

  • There are no confirmed cases or known links to COVID-19 among BGC students, faculty, or staff.

  • Tours that involve high risk populations have been canceled; however, we are still accepting tour bookings of fewer than 20 people and welcoming pre-booked tour groups to the Gallery. A strict hygiene protocol will be enforced. Email [email protected] for more information.

  • To protect the health and safety of our community and guests, we have added more frequent cleanings, especially of “high touch” areas and posted reminders of New York City Department of Health guidelines.
Please help us keep our spaces as healthy as possible by:
  • staying home if you have had contact with anyone who has COVID-19 or if you have recently traveled to an area that has an outbreak;

  • staying home if you are coughing, sneezing, or feverish;

  • covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your arm;

  • avoiding touching your face, eyes, nose, and mouth;

  • considering elbow bumps rather than handshakes; and

  • washing your hands frequently.

We wish you and your family good health during this challenging time. We will keep you updated should we need to make any additional schedule changes. Thank you for your support of Bard Graduate Center! We hope to see you soon.