Museum Etiquette Guide
What to expect when going to a museum
Use this resource to reference tips and explanations regarding Museum rules and practices and to lead first time visitors through their museum expereince.
Appreciating the Artwork and Sharing What You See
Download the complete Museum Etiquette Guide as a PDF
It is always a good idea to gather some specific information before visiting to a museum. Most museums have websites accessible via the internet which have great resources for learning about hours of operation, available parking, accessibility, and museum policies regarding taking bags, food, and photography in the museum. Usually it also possible to find up-to-date information on the museum’s collection, including special exhibitions, as well as floor plans, available tours, and details on any special events that may be going on. If Internet access is not an option, most of the same information can be accessed by calling the museum’s general information number. Art-Reach is also always available to help members obtain this information.
Going to see something specific?
Researching the museum before visiting can be especially helpful if guests plan on seeing a specific piece of art, artist or subject. Most museums have more artwork than floor space. Pieces of art are typically rotated; meaning everything is
not on display all the time. (How do you see what you want to see if they have it but it is not on display?) The layout of a museum can be small or span a large area containing smaller galleries within a large space. To be certain that the piece of artwork a visitor came to see if located, it is best to inquire where the specific piece is located. Museum representatives are also available to point visitors in the right direction, and are typically located at the information booth or guest services.
Tours
Many museums offer tours of their collections. These tours may consist of self guided tours or a guided tour, led by a trained docent who can lead you through the museum’s collection of art work. Often museums also offer audio tours. In this case an audio player with headphones can be signed out free of charge or rented for a small fee. All tour choices have benefits to consider in planning the best possible experience for the individuals experiencing the art.
Self Guided Tours are good choices for visitors who are limited on time or desire to get a general experience without delving into many details about the items housed in the museum. Generally plaques are hung next to paintings displaying information such as the title, artist, date and category of the item. For more information about reading museum plaques, check out the Museum Plaques: Decoded guide.
Guided Tours can yield an enriching experience because a docent (or trained tour guide) typically leads visitors through a planned program complete with interesting facts and history regarding the museum’s collection, and will be able to answer any questions a group may have along the way. However, with a live tour guide, visitors are generally required to stay with the group along a prescribed path.
Audio Tours offer more flexibility, because visitors can move at their own pace, choosing what they want to listen to and repeat information as desired. This type of tour can be ideal for the person who likes to concentrate on information about specific items in a museum and enjoys moving though galleries independently. Audio tours have become increasingly flexible as more and more museums embrace modern technology. Much information, including digital recordings of audio tours, is now accessible to visitors as downloadable files or “podcasts” on the museums website. These files can be downloaded onto a personal music player and brought to the museum. This information can also sometimes be accessed by cell phone.
Museums that currently offer audio tours via downloadable podcasts or cell phone services include:
- The Philadelphia Museum of Art
- The Museum of Modern Art, in NYC
- The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
- The National Constitution Center
- The Brandywine River Museum
While all museums are different, most have a front hall or lobby where visitors can purchase tickets, access information about the museum’s collection and tours, check coats or bags and pick up maps or audio tours.
- Entrance Fees and policies are not uniform at all museums. Some museums have a flat fee for admission while others are free. Some may also have one price for general admission, and another for audio tours or for special exhibitions. Another common feature designed to make the visit affordable for everyone is called “pay what you can” days, where paying admission is optional and visitors are asked to contribute as much as they feel comfortable. Many museums also offer discounted tickets for students and seniors, so be sure to bring an I.D. if you think you will qualify.
- Bag and Coat Checks are offered by most museums either free-of-charge or for a small fee. This is a standard service, included for the convenience of visitors, and also for the protection of the museum’s collection. Heavy clothing and bulky bags pose a risk to the works of art because visitors may inadvertently brush up against a piece of art, knocking it over or otherwise damaging it. Guests will be asked to leave your items at the bag and coat check desk, where they will be locked up or watched by the desk staff. When storing belongings, it is typical for museums to ask for the visitor’s name, or to give a numbered tag or token. At the end of the visit the token is returned to retrieve possessions. While possessions are typically secure, it is always a good idea to keep any valuables, wallet, camera or cell phone or leave them at home.
- Food or beverages are normally prohibited in galleries and museums will require that they be disposed of before entering. This policy is common as works of art could be damaged from food spills, or by insects and pests that food might attract.
- The lobby is a good place to plan the day’s visit, if one hasn’t already been established. It is best to examine a map, usually available at the ticket window or information desk, and figure out what exhibits are most interesting. This is also a good time to make plans to attend any museum tours or other scheduled events during the day. If traveling in a group this is also a good time to establish a meeting point, in case the group gets separated. Typically museum staff is a knowledgeable resource in making these plans and is available to point out special attractions using the maps and printed materials.
When entering the galleries in the museum, be sure to take a map to make navigating easier.
- It is useful to know the terminology for different parts of a museum. A museum’s “collection” refers to the body of art works that are in its possession. Often, this is divided into sub sections based on time-period, style or medium (i.e. oil painting, sculpture, etc). For example, the Philadelphia Museum of art keeps all of its European art in one collection and then divides it by time period, beginning with the earliest and moving to the latest.
- Within the museum, art works are organized by collection, so that visitors can see all the art of a particular style, culture or time period in one location. Usually there will be a group of interconnected rooms, or “galleries,” where artwork will be on display.
Once inside a museum’s galleries it is essential to be aware of all museum rules.
- It is common to see members of the museum staff in the galleries. Visitors may notice docents, trained tour guides, leading groups through the museum. Gallery attendants will also be on hand and are present to answer basic questions and to see that museum policies are being enforced.
- Touching Art-Work: Whether it is a fragile object, like a watercolor painting, or a seemingly sturdy object, like a granite sculpture, all art is capable of being damaged. Never touch displayed artwork unless you are specifically told otherwise. It is usually best to stay at least arm’s length from any piece of art.
Photographing Artwork: Encounter specific rules about photographing displayed artworks are common. Museums may not permit photography for a variety of reasons, including copyright limitations, cultural considerations or for preservation (in the case of flash photography). However, so museums do allow no-flash photography. Before taking pictures, be sure to ask about a museum’s policies
- Cell phones: Museums generally ask visitors to put their cell phones and other electronic devises on silent and refrain from having phone conversations while in the galleries. However, cell phones are fast becoming a tool used to get information about art work. In some instances, visitors can dial into a specific phone number displayed by art work to hear narration about it. Generally the only fee associated with this is the minutes used in cell phone plans.
- Voice Level: Most traditional museums expect visitors to talk only at a low level. This is especially important in instances where other visitors may be trying to listen to audio or guided tours.
- Pencils and Paper: It is common to see people sitting on the floor or on benches with sketchpads, notebooks and pencils. Many people visit art museums in order to study art, making sketches or taking notes in order to better understand the artistic process. This is a wonderful way to experience art. However, if sketching during a visit is part of the days plan, be sure to bring erasable pencil, as many museums have strict policies forbidding ink pen.
Appreciating the Art Work and Sharing what You See
Appreciating Art is more than just looking at pretty pictures. Artwork can also allow a view to better understand another culture or time period, or explore an artist’s own thoughts and perceptions. Works of art can also contain humor, drama, and commentary on the human experience.
Reading Museum Labels and Plaques
The first step to appreciating a work of art, aside from viewing the art itself, is learning a little bit about it. Basic information about artworks on display is usually found on labels or plaques mounted near the actual artwork. For more information about how to read a museum plaque, check out the Museum Plaque: Decoded guide.
In addition to these basic facts, a museum may also offer more elaborate commentary on a particular work of art, usually based on the museum curator’s notes. Usually a few paragraphs long, these notes may include more details on historical events or events in the artist’s life which influenced the work of art. They may also explain related artistic movements, or compare the work to others of the artist or time period. These notes may even contain interpretations of the work of art, providing commentary on a work’s design.
When reading the notes provided, a visitor should feel free to develop his or her own interpretation and consider questions like:
- Who or what is shown in the work of art? What do I see? What is represented? What is it supposed to be?
- What was the artist seeing, or feeling while creating the work? What was the artist trying to say?
- How does the artwork make me feel?
- What are the subjects in the artwork feeling?
- Why did the artist choose to use certain colors or materials? Are there any symbols in the art work that are meaningful?
- Why did the artist choose to make the work? Who was the work intended for and how would it have been used?
- What would I change about the artwork?
Considering questions such as these can make viewing artwork more fun and personal, as it may allow a visitor to understand not only the physical work of art but also the social, historical and psychological circumstances surrounding it.
Of course, no one is going to like every piece of art that they see in a museum. A big part of art appreciation is simply exposing oneself to new and interesting works of art, and forming new opinions and interpretations. It can even be rewarding to view art that one considers “ugly,” to interpret what the artist was intending and decide what should have been done differently. Doing so not only broadens a person’s experience, but also allows for better understand and enjoyment of the art that that person considers “beautiful”.
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