Museum Policies
For the safety and comfort of all visitors, please respond to all requests from security staff and comply with the following rules:
- Silence cellular phones and pagers at the entrance to the museum.
- Do not touch the art. Dirt and natural oils from our hands can damage even the strongest bronze and stone. Help preserve the museum’s treasures for the future.
- No smoking is permitted in the building.
- No outside food or beverages permitted. Food and beverages purchased from Cafe Asia are not allowed in the galleries.
- All backpacks and umbrellas as well as any parcel larger than 12 x 12 x 12 inches must be left at the Coat Check. (The contents of all bags and parcels may be inspected for safety and security reasons.)
- Visitors must be fully clothed; shoes and shirt are required.
The Asian Art Museum allows sketching with pencil in its permanent galleries. From time to time sketching is not allowed in the museum's special exhibition galleries, which feature works on loan to the museum from other museums or lenders.
Still photography of objects in the museum’s collection galleries (second and third floors) is permitted if done in existing light with a hand-held camera—for personal, noncommercial use only. The use of tripods, flashes, and video cameras is prohibited. Photography is not permitted in galleries containing special exhibitions. Photographs taken in the museum may not be sold, reproduced, or distributed without written permission from the Asian Art Museum. For further information, visit our Photography and Image Rights page.
