Measures against the spread of coronavirus have changed our lives almost overnight. In many countries, schools, museums, galleries and theatres have been closed, cultural events have been suspended and social life has been curtailed. Art teachers were challenged to deal with this new situation, staying in touch with students and supporting them in their independent study. Many faced the task of communicating the importance of art education, which often lagged behind. Cultural institutions and museum and gallery educators were faced with the question of how to stay in touch with the audience in changed conditions and how to present cultural heritage and art in a situation where cultural life was paralyzed. Distance education, which was previously approached with much hesitation, and virtual communication have often become the only way to continue teaching art education or to mediate art collections and exhibitions.

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Coronavirus has shown us – and continues to do so – that people do not have the world under control. The effects on people's lives and health or on the economy are devastating, yet every crisis is also an opportunity to think, to transform internally and to invent new ways in which to live, to communicate, to teach. We have witnessed a situation where our plans and established ways of life – seemingly stable and solid – fall apart almost instantly. We have known how fragile civilization is. Can we learn from this experience? Can we prepare for the next crisis? Are there any points of reference we can rely on in the future? Has the current crisis taught us anything new about humankind, about the power of interpersonal sharing, about the meaning of art and the importance of art education? Can we emerge wiser from the crisis?