COVID-19 Mitigation
Community Guidelines

As we are all in community together, it is everyone's responsibility to assist in ensuring our community remains free of COVID-19. Please refer to the latest CDC guidance found here.

This page was updated on September 14, 2023. Ox-Bow reserves the right to amend this policy at any time given outbreak trends or CDC guidance

In order to mitigate the risks and spread of COVID-19, we have implemented new safety measures on campus. We ask that all community members follow the guidelines and best practices below.

SAFETY MEASURES FOR PARTICIPANTS

Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency encourages every participant who comes to campus to remain up-to-date on COVID vaccinations; to test before traveling to campus; and to monitor themselves for symptoms.

Testing on campus:
The campus office stocks over-the-counter COVID tests; they are available to students and overnight participants, free, on demand.

If any participant is experiencing symptoms that may indicate a COVID-19 infection while staying on campus, the Campus Director may require an over-the-counter COVID test or a lab test from a local testing site.

COVID testing sites in Chicago-area: 

  • Walgreens in many locations throughout the city are taking appointments. Results can be received within 24 hours.

  • CVS in many locations throughout the city are taking appointments. Results can be received within 24 hours.

  1. City of Chicago testing resources

COVID testing sites in West Michigan: 

  • Michigan's Testing Site Finder

  • Walgreens in Holland, Kentwood, South Haven, Grand Haven and Grand Rapids are taking drive-thru appointments. They also offer free PCR at-home collection kits.

  • CVS is taking appointments in many locations.

Vaccination resources in the US: 

Best Practices when Traveling to Ox-Bow

Please note that all students and residents are responsible for arranging their own travel to and from campus.

  • We recommend driving to campus, using a personal or rented vehicle when possible. Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, and Budget all have locations in Holland, Michigan, an approximately 20-minute drive from campus. 

  • We recommend wearing cloth face coverings/masks while traveling on public transit such as airplanes, buses or trains.

General Community Guidelines 

  • Practice proper hand washing.

  • Properly cover your mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing.

Mask Policy

  • Masking indoors is now optional at Ox-Bow. Ox-Bow’s campus is a mask-friendly, mask-optional environment.

  • We ask that if you have recently traveled via airplane, consider masking when indoors for 3-5 days while you monitor the development of any potential symptoms.

  • Disposable masks are available free of charge in the Old Inn first aid area.

Spaces

  • We have implemented separate work spaces in studios, limited tool and equipment sharing, and heightened sanitation of high-traffic areas.

  • Whenever possible, workshops and events will take place in sheltered outdoor/open-air spaces for maximum ventilation.

  • We will ensure that windows and doors with screens remain open as much as possible, keep fans running, and maximize airflow and ventilation.

  • In the warmer months, open-air tents on the Meadow facilitate outdoor gatherings.

Dining

  • Use provided hand sanitizer before retrieving food.

  • Grab-and-go snacks will be available for residential participants between meals.

  • Participants must bus their own used dishes back to the dish return area.

  • Food service practices will evolve as necessary.

Cleaning

  • Housekeeping staff use antiviral cleaning agents for all cleaning purposes.

  • Housekeeping staff clean and disinfect public bathrooms and other high-traffic areas daily.

  • DIY cleaning materials will be available upon request. Housekeeping staff will replenish these kits as necessary. All community members will be expected to pitch in to keep themselves and their spaces clean.

  • All public bathrooms are equipped with paper towel dispensers.

  • Hand sanitizer dispensers are available in high-traffic areas.

In Case of Illness

  • All community members will be asked to familiarize themselves with COVID symptoms. We can provide detailed information about local medical facilities upon request. If you are experiencing symptoms, tell core staff immediately.

  • Staff will take the temperature of any student demonstrating potential COVID symptoms.

  • Any participants with COVID-like symptoms (cough and fever) may be asked to test for COVID and/or leave campus and seek medical care at the Campus Director’s discretion. Any participants testing positive for COVID-19 will be asked to isolate and to exit campus as soon as possible. Ox-Bow cannot provide quarantine space for participants who test positive for COVID-19.

  • If a confirmed case of COVID or COVID-like symptoms are exhibited by anyone currently on campus, Ox-Bow reserves the right to actions, including immediate closure of our campus and/or providing COVID testing to staff and participants. In the case of any closures, we will assist in making arrangements to have participants leave campus. We cannot pay for transportation or alternative housing arrangements and we cannot pay for or provide medical care.

  • Ox-Bow will work with the required outside health departments for contact tracing.

  • Ox-Bow’s staff cannot provide medical care or transportation to a care facility.

Please direct general questions about campus life during COVID to Claire Arctander, Campus Director (carcta@ox-bow.org) or Rowan Leek, Campus Manager (rleek@ox-bow.org).