Museum Guidelines
Our guidelines help protect the museum’s collection and ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Please follow security officers’ instructions and remember that touching the collection is strictly prohibited. Watch our videos "Welcome to the Art Institute" and "When You Arrive" for a brief introduction and orientation to the museum.
Please plan ahead, as the following items are not allowed in the galleries:
- Art materials other than pencil (including ink pens)
- Backpacks and backpack baby carriers
- Bags, camera bags or purses larger than 13”x17”
- Shopping bags
- Flowers or balloons
- Food or drink
- Toys
- Tripods, flash attachments and video cameras
- Umbrellas (small umbrellas can be stowed in bags)
- Wrapped packages (gifts)
The following items cannot be checked:
- Flowers or balloons
- Food or drink
Checkroom
- Complimentary
- Courtesy bags are available to carry valuable items with you.
- All bags are subject to security inspection.
The checkrooms are for patrons only. The Art Institute of Chicago reserves the right to refuse to check any item. The checkrooms stop accepting items 15 minutes prior to closing. The Art Institute of Chicago is not responsible for items lost, damaged, or unclaimed.
Photography
Please refrain from any photography of loan and temporary exhibitions. You are welcome to take photographs of the permanent collection, taken in existing light, on condition that they are for personal, nondistributional, noncommercial use. Flashes, tripods and video cameras are prohibited.
Members of the media should contact our Marketing and Public Affairs Department at (312) 443-3626 or aicpublicaffairs@artic.edu.
Sketching
Please check with museum staff on areas where sketching may be allowed. Only pencil drawing is allowed.
An application is necessary for permission to copy in the galleries, and is available through the department of Protection Services. Call (312) 443-3396 or e-mail teamdops@artic.edu.
Strollers
The museum is accessible for stroller use; however, they may be restricted in special exhibitions due to space limitations. Please feel free to call prior to your visit (312) 443-3600.
Please turn off cell phones or pagers in the museum.
The use of mobile telephones is limited to non-gallery spaces within the museum.
Visitor Comments
Please share your experience with us at visitorcomments@artic.edu. Please do not send attachments to this e-mail address, as they are automatically discarded.
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