The RISD Museum is a place to explore, learn, and be inspired. To help protect the artworks and ensure a positive experience for all, please review these visitor guidelines before your visit.
General Visitor Policies
-
Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries or classrooms.
-
Please do not touch the artwork. Even clean hands can damage works of art.
-
Please use only pencils in the galleries; markers and pens are not permitted.
-
With permission, RISD students may use wet media to copy works of art in the galleries.
-
-
Items larger than 11” x 15” — including large backpacks and bags, umbrellas, and sketchbooks — must be left in the coatroom. Free lockers are available on a first-come basis.
-
To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all, the RISD Museum requires that proper attire, including shoes and shirts, must be worn at all times. The RISD Museum reserves the right to ask individuals dressed inappropriately to adjust their dress or leave the premises.
-
Full face coverage including masks, face paint, hats, hoods, or other materials is not permitted, with the exceptions of medical masks and religious garments.
-
Transportation devices including skateboards, scooters, Segways, and lithium-ion battery-powered small personal vehicles are not allowed in the museum. Bike racks are located outside the museum on both North Main Street and Benefit Street.
-
Outlets for charging phones and other handheld electronic devices are available in our lobbies. Please do not charge these items in the galleries.
-
In the event of an emergency, please follow instructions from museum staff and security personnel.
-
If you are planning a visit to view a particular work in the collection, please contact Visitor Services at museum@risd.edu or 401-709-8403 to confirm it is currently on view.
-
Please be mindful of tours, teaching programs, and other visitors when talking in the galleries. Please use headphones or have phones on silent and refrain from making calls in the galleries.
-
Tickets are non-refundable.
-
Verbally abusive, harassing, discriminatory, or threatening statements or behavior toward RISD staff or other visitors is prohibited. The RISD Museum reserves the right to ask any group or individual whose behavior is disruptive or violates Museum policy to leave the museum immediately.
Visiting with Children
- Minors under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult (18 years or older) at all times and adhere to the Museum visitor policy.
- All minors visiting the museum with a parent or guardian are the sole responsibility of their parent/guardian.
- Single strollers and tandem strollers are welcome, but our galleries cannot accommodate double or oversized strollers, or wagons. Gallery-safe strollers are available at Visitor Services. Please use elevators when traveling between floors with strollers.
- Breastfeeding and bottle feeding are welcome anywhere in the building. A private space is also available upon request.
- For the safety of artworks, children may not be carried on shoulders, on backs, or in backpack child carriers.
Accessibility
- The RISD Museum is committed to ensuring accessibility for all visitors. Wheelchairs are available upon request, and most galleries are accessible by elevator or ramp.
- Service animals as defined by state and federal regulations are welcome in the Museum. Therapy or comfort animals are not allowed.
See additional accessibility and amenities information.
Group Guidelines
Groups wishing to visit the Museum may book a guided tour for up to 60 visitors. Guided tours must be scheduled at least four weeks in advance.
- Chaperones are required for group visits with youth 18 and under.
- Grades 6 and above: One chaperone is required for every 15 students. We recommend one chaperone for every 10 students.
- Grades 5 and below: One chaperone is required for every 10 students.
- Age 5 and under: One chaperone is required for every 5 students.
- Chaperones should notify the Museum educator of situations regarding student health or safety (i.e., medical concerns, potential behavior issues, etc.) prior to the start of the visit.
- Touching the artwork is not allowed, as even clean hands can leave lasting damage. Chaperones must ensure students do not get close enough to artworks to touch them, deliberately or accidentally.
- Chaperones can help students stay focused on discussions and activities run by the Museum educator.
- When moving between galleries, chaperones help the Museum educator gather materials, line students up, and ensure that students leave the gallery space in a quiet and orderly manner.
- A chaperone must accompany any student visiting the restroom.
- Only pencils can be used in the galleries. No wet media, including pens or markers, are allowed.
Photography Guidelines
- Photography and filming are allowed in the Museum galleries, but the use of flash, tripods, and selfie sticks is not permitted. Tripod and monopod use is allowed by special permission only; see below.
- We encourage visitors to share their experiences on social media using #RISDMuseum, while respecting the rights and privacy of others.
- Professional photography is permitted during Museum operating hours in accordance with the standard museum photography guidelines listed here. We recommend alerting Visitor Services in advance at museum@risd.edu or 401-709-8403. For private reservations of museum spaces, please see our event rentals page.
- The RISD Museum occasionally photographs or films in the galleries and event spaces, and visitors may be photographed, videotaped, or otherwise recorded. By visiting, visitors grant the museum permission to use photographs and/or audiovisual recordings in which visitors appear for archival, documentary, publicity, advertising, or other purposes.
- The Museum supports the protection of intellectual property and the right to privacy by adhering to all applicable laws and asks its visitors to do the same.
- Digital images of public domain materials in the collection are available on risdmuseum.org.
- For Students: Independent Projects
-
Photography and filming without flash or auxiliary equipment is always allowed in Museum galleries during regular hours.
Requests to film using auxiliary equipment such as lights or tripods must be submitted at least two weeks in advance. All project details and equipment involved will be reviewed. Written agreements with individual students are often required. Please note:
- Students may be asked to sign an agreement outlining the scope of their project and the logistical expectations for the Museum.
- Museum staff reserve the right to refuse projects for logistical or mission-related reasons.
- Projects implying the Museum’s endorsement of a product, an institution other than RISD, or an ideology are not permitted.
- Galleries will remain open to visitors during filming. Museum staff will accompany you.
- The Museum supports the protections of intellectual property and the rights to privacy by adhering to all applicable laws and asks its visitors to do the same.
Questions? Contact Academic Programs at museum-academic@risd.edu.
- For RISD Faculty: Course Projects
-
Photography and filming without flash or auxiliary equipment is always allowed in Museum galleries.
RISD faculty may make prior arrangements before the semester begins for their students to do photography/film projects in Museum galleries using auxiliary equipment, such as lights or tripods, with appropriate supervision. Museum staff will determine on a case-by-case basis if the project is feasible in the Museum spaces and will not endanger visitors or works of art. Students in these courses must request an appointment at least two weeks in advance.
Questions? Contact Academic Programs at museum-academic@risd.edu.
Research Guidelines
The RISD Museum supports artistic and academic research at RISD and beyond. Collaboration with students, artists, and scholars is fundamental to how art and design is interpreted and understood.
- Office Hours
-
Almost every department in the museum holds weekly Office Hours. Sign up online for a half-hour appointment to investigate the collection with staff experts, learn about museum practices and community work, or set up a virtual studio visit. Office hours are held virtually or in-person in one of the museum's two dedicated study centers.
- Projects and Programs
-
Propose ways to activate our collections and explore artistic materials and processes.
Learn more. - Wet-Media Copying (RISD students only)
-
With permission, RISD students may use wet media to copy works of art in the galleries. Acceptable media include gouache, acrylic paint, and watercolor. The Museum has a limited number of easels; students may not bring their own easels.