FAQ
Health and Safety
What are the visitor guidelines?
The Brooklyn Museum is dedicated to providing excellence in collections, exhibitions, programs, and visitor experience. Our Public Safety and Visitor Experience teams are here to help you and others enjoy their visit.
Visitors putting themselves, other visitors, or the art at risk may be asked to leave the Museum. Verbal or physical harassment, discrimination, threats, or other disruptive behavior is not permitted. To keep our visitors, staff, and the art safe, all must listen to any instructions or guidance given by our staff.
The Museum does not permit solicitations unless pre-authorized by Museum personnel. For health and safety reasons, shirts and shoes are required to enter the Museum.
Which objects are permitted in the Museum?
Bag and item policy: All bags are subject to inspection upon entering the building. Any items larger than 11 × 17 × 5 in. (28 × 43 × 13 cm) or as deemed necessary by Public Safety must be checked at Coat Check. These items can be checked free of charge; all others are $1 per item. The Brooklyn Museum is not responsible for lost or stolen property.
The Museum reserves the right to refuse entry to any visitor carrying large or harmful objects, such as flags, banners, frames, artwork, shopping carts, sporting goods, marking materials, paint, adhesives, epoxies, glues, and recreational equipment. Strollers, with the exception of oversize and jogging strollers, are permitted in most galleries; ask a Public Safety Officer for specific gallery access. Front-facing baby carriers are welcome.
Coat Check: Items that are not accepted in Coat Check include food and drink, plants and flowers, balloons, (e)bicycles, folding bicycles, (e)scooters, wagons, strollers, and oversize items. Staff will advise on where strollers can be parked. Any other items may be inspected and refused at the discretion of our Public Safety team.
What is the food and drink policy?
Eating and drinking is not permitted in the galleries. Outside food and drink is not permitted with the exception of water in a clear bottle. All opaque bottles must be checked at Coat Check. Water bottles must remain sealed outside designated eating areas.
Do I have to be vaccinated? Do I have to wear a mask?
Proof of vaccination is no longer required, in accordance with state and local guidelines. Masks are optional during your visit.
Certain events and programs may still require masks and/or proof of vaccination, however. Please review your tickets closely for up-to-date requirements. Masks are required for all summer camp groups and events in the Auditorium.
Find more information on health and safety.
Hours and Admission
When is the Museum open?
Our hours are Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–6 pm. We’re closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
How much is admission to the Museum?
Please see our Tickets page for more information on admission and ticket types.
Do I have to pay the full price for admission?
General admission prices are a suggested contribution; pay what you wish. Ticketed exhibitions require a separate ticket at a set price (includes general admission). See our Tickets page for more information on admission and ticket types.
We strongly recommend booking tickets online ahead of time. A limited number of same-day tickets are available for purchase on-site, on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit our ticket FAQ for more information.
What happens when I arrive?
To purchase a same-day ticket, make your way to the Admissions Desk.
If you reserved a General Admission ticket online, make your way to the Admissions Desk, where a staff member will scan your ticket.
If you reserved a ticketed exhibition ticket or a Member Flex ticket online, make your way to the exhibition. A staff member will scan your ticket at the exhibition entrance.
Members are strongly encouraged to reserve tickets in advance. A limited number of same-day tickets for Members are available on-site, on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you’re meeting with a staff member, please enter through our staff entrance, located in our rear parking lot.
When is the Museum Shop open?
Our Shop is open during the Museum’s hours (Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–6 pm). We’re closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Our online shop is always open at shop.brooklynmuseum.org.
Can I come to the Museum just to visit the Shop, without paying the admission fee?
Yes! You may enter our Shop directly from the main lobby, no ticket required.
What are the Libraries and Archives hours, and do I need an appointment?
Our Libraries and Archives are open for public appointments on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1–4 pm. To request a time, please fill out a form for library research or email archives.research@brooklynmuseum.org for archival research.
In the meantime, peruse our Libraries Online Catalogue and Archives Collections. If you have questions about these resources, send us an email, and we’ll do our best to assist you:
Does my admission to the Museum also give me access to Brooklyn Botanic Garden?
No. You’ll need to pay a separate admission fee for the Garden.
Directions and Parking
How do I get to the Museum by car, bus, or subway?
By car: From Manhattan: Brooklyn Bridge; continue straight from the bridge about a half mile; left onto Atlantic Avenue for about 1.5 miles; right onto Washington Avenue for about a half mile to Eastern Parkway. The Museum is at the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue. The parking lot has entrances on both Washington Avenue and Eastern Parkway.
From Westchester, the Bronx, Queens, or Connecticut: Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (Triborough) to Brooklyn-Queens Expressway (BQE); Manhattan Bridge exit to Tillary Street; left onto Flatbush Avenue for about 1.5 miles to Grand Army Plaza; about 2/3 around Plaza; right on Eastern Parkway. We’re at the first intersection (Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue).
From Staten Island and southern or central New Jersey: Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to Gowanus Expressway (Route 278 toward Manhattan); exit to 38th Street; left on Fourth Avenue for about 2 miles; right on Union Street; 5 blocks to Grand Army Plaza; go 1/2 around Plaza; right on Eastern Parkway. We’re at the first intersection (Eastern Parkway and Washington Avenue).
From northern or north central New Jersey: George Washington Bridge / Holland or Lincoln Tunnel to Manhattan; follow directions from Manhattan.
From Long Island: Grand Central Parkway to Jackie Robinson Parkway; exit at Bushwick Avenue; left at third traffic light to Eastern Parkway; about 3 miles to Washington Avenue. We’re across the intersection at left.
By subway: Take the 2/3 to Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum. You can transfer to 2/3 from 4/5 (at Nevins Street) and B, D, Q, N, R, and LIRR (at Atlantic Terminal-Barclays Center). See the MTA subway map. You can also take the 4/5 to Franklin Avenue and walk west down Eastern Parkway to reach the Museum. Service may be altered, especially on weekends; make sure to check with the MTA for any service changes.
By bus: The closest bus stops are the B41 and B69 at Grand Army Plaza, and the B45 at St. Johns Place and Washington Avenue. Check with the MTA for up-to-date bus information.
Does the Museum have a parking lot?
Yes. On-site parking is available in the lot behind the Museum, off Washington Avenue. Hourly rates generally apply. Please consult GGMC Parking, a third-party vendor, for up-to-date prices.
Does the Museum validate parking?
No, we don’t validate parking. Museum Members at the full-year Individual level and above receive a limited number of one-time-use parking passes, which are mailed with the Membership package.
Is there street parking?
There’s street parking in the neighborhood along Eastern Parkway, Washington Avenue, and other side streets. There’s no street parking directly in front of the Museum.
Are there bike racks?
Yes. Bike racks are located on the sidewalk in front of the Museum and in the parking lot behind the Museum. There’s also a Citi Bike station in front of the Museum.
Amenities
Is there a coat check?
Yes. Coat Check is available on the first floor. Bags, umbrellas, and any items larger than 11 × 17 × 5 in. (28 × 43 × 13 cm) must be checked. These items can be checked free of charge; all others are $1 per item. We cannot be responsible for lost or stolen property.
Items that are not accepted in Coat Check include food and drink, plants and flowers, balloons, (e)bicycles, folding bicycles, (e)scooters, wagons, strollers, and oversize items. Staff will advise on where strollers can be parked. Any other items may be inspected and refused at the discretion of our Public Safety team.
Is it okay to bring baby strollers into the Museum?
Strollers, with the exception of oversize and jogging strollers, are permitted in most galleries; ask a Public Safety Officer for specific gallery access. Front-facing baby carriers are welcome. To ensure easy navigation, visitors with strollers may want to attend during off-peak hours, such as mornings, or on stroller tours.
Is there a place to eat?
Indoor dining is available in our Café and at The Norm, both on the first floor. Our food truck seasonally offers fresh food and drinks in our outdoor areas. Eating and drinking is not permitted in the galleries. Outside food and drink is not permitted with the exception of water in a clear bottle. All opaque bottles must be checked at Coat Check. Water bottles must remain sealed outside of the designated eating areas.
Are there other restaurants in the area?
There are many lovely restaurants nearby, some within walking distance.
Rules and Regulations
Are visitors allowed to sketch in the Museum?
Yes. Individuals may sketch with dry, bound, or contained media (pencils, color pencils, crayons, oil sticks, ballpoint pens, felt-tip pens/markers) in the collection galleries during Museum hours. Sketching may be restricted in some circumstances, such as when galleries are crowded. Sketching isn’t allowed in special exhibitions, and groups aren’t allowed to sketch unless they’re part of a Museum art class.
Are visitors allowed to paint in the Museum?
Wet media such as paint or watercolor is allowed only if you are participating in a Museum art class or if you have secured a permit to copy a work of art. To request a permit, please email information@brooklynmuseum.org.
Is photography or videography permitted in the Museum?
Yes. Photography and videography are allowed in the Museum so long as the images are taken using existing light only (no flash) and are for personal, noncommercial use. Photography and videography are often restricted in special exhibition galleries; ask for details at our Admissions Desk when you arrive. Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.
Is wedding photography permitted in the Museum?
We currently don’t permit wedding photography in the Museum during public hours. You’re welcome to shoot outside on the plaza and steps as long as your group does not impede other visitors or programming. There’s no fee for exterior photography, but we do ask that you notify us in advance by emailing filmshoots@brooklynmuseum.org. Interior photography can be arranged in conjunction with a wedding booked on our premises.
Is commercial photography or filming permitted at the Museum?
Commercial photography and filming projects are welcome at the Museum if planned and approved in advance. Please check our Film & Photo Shoots page for more information, and contact filmshoots@brooklynmuseum.org or 718.501.6166 with your proposal. All commercial projects must be approved by the Museum in writing.
Are all Brooklyn Museum exhibitions appropriate for children to view?
Some of our exhibitions are directed to adult audiences, so we advise parents, guardians, and teachers to preview exhibitions.
Visitors with Disabilities
Is the Museum wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The building and grounds, including parking, are wheelchair accessible. For more information, please see our Visitors with Disabilities page.
Are wheelchairs available at the Museum?
Yes. Wheelchairs are available for free; just ask a member of our admissions team. For more information, please visit our Visitors with Disabilities page.
How do I get to the Museum by subway if I’m in a wheelchair?
The Eastern Parkway/Brooklyn Museum 2/3 subway station is a wheelchair accessible station.
Does the Museum offer special programs or tours for visitors with visual or hearing impairments?
Currently, we offer regular in-person ASL tours and virtual Verbal Description tours. For more information, please see our Visitors with Disabilities page.
Are service animals allowed in the Museum?
We welcome visitors with service animals, and you don’t need to notify us in advance if you’re visiting the Museum with a service animal. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are, therefore, not permitted. Read or download our complete Service Animal Policy.
Tours and Groups
Is the Museum offering in-person tours?
Yes! Learn more about our tours for adult groups, K–12 school groups, and university classes.
Does the Museum offer audio tours?
Yes. Immerse yourself in stories behind the art with our new digital guide, accessible on the free Bloomberg Connects app.
Programs and Events
What programs and events are scheduled?
For the latest programs and events, check our calendar.
What programs does the Museum offer for children?
We offer a variety of programs for children of all ages. Check the calendar for current listings, and visit our Education pages for more information.
What are First Saturdays?
On the first Saturday of February–August and October, we open our doors to the community free of charge from 5 to 11 pm. Our galleries, dining, and Shop are open, and visitors of all ages can choose from an exciting menu of free special events, such as family art activities; gallery talks; live music, dance, and theater performances; and film screenings. See more details on First Saturdays.
Rights and Reproductions
How do I request images of works in the Museum’s collections?
You may use and share images from our website for noncommercial purposes with attribution to the Brooklyn Museum in accordance with our copyright policy. If you need higher resolution images for publication, personal use, or study purposes, contact Image Services at 718.501.6202 or reproductions@brooklynmuseum.org. Detailed information is available on our Image Services Fee Schedule. You can also order images for teaching purposes at Davis Art Slides.
I am working on a publication/project and would like to use images from the Brooklyn Museum website. How do I obtain permission and high-resolution images?
Please submit your request using our online form so that we have all necessary information. Information about procedures and costs can be found on our Image Services page. If you have further questions, please contact reproductions@brooklynmuseum.org.
I already have an image downloaded from the website. Can I use it?
Yes, so long as the downloaded image is of a work in the public domain, is reproduced digitally or in print at no larger than 1/4 page, and is sufficient for nonprofit publications / independent scholar publications. The work’s rights status can be found next to the words “Rights Statement” on the object page, which can be found by searching our collection online. Please use the credit as it appears after the word “Caption” on the object page.
If you need higher resolution images and/or images of works that are not in the public domain, please submit your request using our online form so that we have all necessary information. You can review procedures and costs on our Image Services page. If you have further questions, please contact reproductions@brooklynmuseum.org.
How can I determine a work’s copyright status?
Copyright status is displayed on the object page, next to the words “Rights Statement.” If you have further questions, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
How can I determine whether a work is in the Brooklyn Museum’s collection?
Please provide information about the work, such as the title, artist’s name, and/or accession number, to reproductions@brooklynmuseum.org. If you don’t have such information, please send us a reference image. Please be advised that an image search may take significantly more time due to the large number of objects in our holdings.
I saw an image in a Museum publication. How do I obtain a high-resolution image and permission to use it?
Not all images used in Brooklyn Museum publications belong to us. Please check the image’s credit information to confirm that the Museum provided it. If so, please submit your request using our online form so that we have all necessary information. You can review procedures and costs on our Image Services page. If you don’t have an accession number for the work, please provide the publication information along with the figure number and page number.
How can I obtain installation images from a past exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum?
Please contact archives.research@brooklynmuseum.org for installation images of past exhibitions held at the Brooklyn Museum.
I’m writing an article about a current Brooklyn Museum exhibition. How do I obtain high-resolution images and permission to use them?
Please contact press@brooklynmuseum.org for image files of current exhibitions.
Membership and Donations
We love our Members! Thank you for supporting the Brooklyn Museum.
How do I become a Member?
To become a Member, join online or complete an application form and mail it along with your dues to our Membership department. You can also stop by the Admissions Desk in the lobby and complete the application in person. For more information, visit our Membership page, call 718.501.6326, or email membership@brooklynmuseum.org.
What are the benefits of becoming a Member?
As a Member, you’ll enjoy complimentary admission (always free for ages 19 and under), invitations to Members-only previews and viewing hours, discounts on Museum programs, dining, and shopping, plus so much more. For more information, visit our Membership page, call 718.501.6326, or email membership@brooklynmuseum.org.
How do I make a monetary donation to the Museum?
Thank you for supporting the Brooklyn Museum. You’re welcome to make a secure, fully tax-deductible donation online; by calling the Development department at 718.501.6327 and using your Visa, MasterCard, or American Express card; or by mailing a check made payable to the Brooklyn Museum. For questions about artwork donations, see the Artworks and Appraisals section below.
I'm a current Member and/or donor. How can I change my name and/or address and continue to receive mail from the Museum?
Please provide your new name and/or address to the Membership department by phone at 718.501.6326, fax at 718.501.6139, or email at membership@brooklynmuseum.org.
May I designate a secondary Membership cardholder?
Yes. Starting at the Dual level, Members receive a second card in the name of a household member of their choosing. For more information, visit our Membership page, call 718.501.6326, or email membership@brooklynmuseum.org.
Can I give a Membership as a gift?
Absolutely! Memberships make great birthday, graduation, wedding, anniversary, or holiday gifts for family, friends, and/or business associates. You can purchase gift Memberships online, by calling 718.501.6326, or in person at the Member Services Desk.
How do I receive my Member discount?
Simply present your Membership card to any Museum associate in our Shop, Café, or The Norm upon payment. Your 10% discount will be deducted from the full retail price. For purchases made through the Museum Shop online, type your Member I.D. number (located on your Membership card) in the designated discount code area at checkout.
How can I find out if my company matches the contributions that I make to the Museum?
Visit your company’s Human Resources department and request a matching gift form. Your company’s matching gift form will provide full information on eligibility and program limitations.
Can I make a contribution in honor or in memory of someone?
Yes. If you make a gift in any amount to honor someone special, that person will be informed of your thoughtfulness. The family of a loved one commemorated by your gift will be notified. Call 718.501.6237 for further information. Thank you for supporting the Brooklyn Museum.
Get Involved
How do I submit a proposal to present at the Museum?
If you’d like to present a performance, film, or adult workshop at the Museum, you’re welcome to submit a proposal online or by email at public.programs@brooklynmuseum.org.
Can I volunteer at the Museum?
Currently, we’re not accepting requests to volunteer at the Museum. If you recently emailed us about volunteering, thank you! We appreciate your interest and will keep your request on file in case we have any volunteer openings.
Are internships available?
You can find the latest internship opportunities on our Careers page. Check back often for new internships. In the meanwhile, feel free to get in touch with us at internships@brooklynmuseum.org. (Also, check our ongoing opportunities for teens.)
What jobs are currently available?
You can find the latest opportunities on our Careers page.
About the Museum
Is the Museum a private or public institution?
The Brooklyn Museum is a private, nonprofit institution governed by a Board of Trustees, operating in a building owned by New York City.
How large is the Museum and its collections?
The Brooklyn Museum is one of the largest art museums in the United States and one of the premier art institutions in the world. Our collections include a wide range of objects, from ancient Egyptian masterpieces to contemporary art, representing almost every culture in the world. We are housed in a 560,000-square-foot Beaux-Arts building.
What is meant by the term “collections”?
Our collections are made up of the works of art that the Museum actually owns. (It does not include works in special exhibitions or works temporarily on loan to the Museum.) The collections range from Egyptian sarcophagi to period rooms, with only a fraction of these works on display at any given time. Collections are rotated (that is, some objects are put away so that others can be shown) in the collection galleries, but there are always many works in our storerooms.
What is in the Museum’s collections?
Our world-renowned collections range from ancient Egyptian masterpieces to contemporary art and represent a wide range of cultures. All collections can be explored on our website.
Why are some objects not on view?
The collections are very large, which is why only a fraction of them can be on public view at any given time. Sometimes, works are lent to other museums for special exhibitions; sometimes, they are in our conservation laboratory for study or maintenance. Certain types of objects, such as watercolors, textiles, and photographs, are sensitive to light and begin to fade if they are exposed for too long, so their exhibition time is limited. Finally, as large as the Museum is, there is not enough room to display everything in the collections. In order to present our best works, collections are rotated periodically.
What is meant by the term “special exhibition”?
A special exhibition is a temporary installation of artworks devoted to a particular theme. Special exhibitions may include works from our collections but usually feature works that are borrowed from museums around the country or around the world. Sometimes a special exhibition will show works that belong to just one institution or owner. Special exhibitions are usually on view for about twelve weeks and often travel to other museums before or after being shown at the Brooklyn Museum.
What are the current special exhibitions at the Museum?
Visit our On View page.
Artworks and Appraisals
I’m an artist. How can I let you know about my work?
We are currently unable to accept or review artist submissions.
How can I donate a work of art to the Museum?
Since its founding, the Brooklyn Museum has benefited from the public’s generosity in building our collections, and we continue to welcome gifts. However, not every object is right for our collections. If we already have an identical work, or if a work would not be exhibited, we prefer not to add it to the collection. Therefore, we have a careful process for reviewing all gift offers.
If you wish to offer an artwork to the Museum, please send images, object information (such as the artist, title, dimensions, medium, history, and provenance), and a letter outlining your intentions to BKM.Collections@brooklynmuseum.org. We appreciate your generosity.
How do I find out how much an object in the Brooklyn Museum collections is worth?
We do not disclose the monetary value of objects in our collections. These works are not for sale, and we do not have or keep values for them.
Can you tell me the value of an artwork that I own?
As a nonprofit institution, the Brooklyn Museum does not provide authentications or appraisals to third parties. Instead, we suggest that you contact one of the following professional organizations. They can assist with questions about value, provenance, or attribution of works of art. Foundations and catalogue raisonné committees focusing on specific artists may also offer authentications.
International Foundation for Art Research (IFAR)
500 Fifth Avenue, Suite 935
New York, NY 10110
212.391.6234
American Society of Appraisers
2121 Cooperative Way, Suite 210
Herndon, VA 20171
800.ASA.VALU
Appraisers Association of America, Inc.
212 West 35th Street, 11th Floor South
New York, NY 10001
212.889.5404 x14
referrals@appraisersassociation.org
Art Dealers Association of America
205 Lexington Avenue, Suite 901
New York, NY 10016
212.488.5550
Where would I go to have a work of art restored?
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, which can be reached at 202.452.9545, helps collectors find and choose qualified conservators in their particular area of the country.