Stanford University

Museum Policies


As you enjoy your visit, we ask that you observe our gallery protocols. Please do not touch any works of art. Please make sure you familiarize yourself with the basics of our "new normal:" stay home if you feel sick, the use of masks for everyone 2 years or older, and staying 6ft. apart from others at all times. For more information about our health guidelines please review our visit page.

 


Make sure your phone is set to silent or vibrate. Food, drinks, smoking, and pets are not allowed inside of the galleries. Backpacks, rigid baby packs, and long umbrellas must be checked at the entrance. Information about the terms of use for this site can be found online at Stanford's website.

 

Photography

THESE GUIDELINES ABOUT PHOTOGRAPHY WILL ALLOW YOU TO REMEMBER YOUR EXCITING VISIT TO THE MUSEUMS, WHILE ALLOWING US TO PROTECT THE ART FOR YOUR NEXT VISIT.

  • Non-flash photography is allowed for personal, noncommercial use (except where indicated). No flashes, tripods, selfie sticks, monopods, or videography.
  • No photo shoots are allowed.
  • No engagement, wedding, prom, or portrait photography allowed. 
  • Special or commercial interior and exterior photography or videography sessions on museum grounds must be pre-approved by the Stanford Public Relations Office. Please email katiebeermann@stanford.edu with your request.
  • Photographers and videographers representing or working for the University may be present in museum spaces. Attending the museum or participating in museum activities constitutes an agreement by the visitor or staff member to the University’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the visitor’s image or voice in photographs, videotapes, electronic reproductions, or audiotapes of such activities. 

Children

WE LOVE CHILDREN AT THE MUSEUMS!  TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AND HEALTHY PLEASE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES BELOW.

Children

  • Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times
  • Please ask children to stay safe and healthy by observing social distancing and staying 6ft. away from others at all times

Infant feeding

  • We allow breastfeeding and bottle-feeding in all spaces. The museums do not provide any dedicated spaces for feeding

Strollers

  • Strollers are allowed unless otherwise noted for specific exhibitions

Food & Drink

ART AND FOOD ARE TWO OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS TOO, BUT PLEASE HELP US KEEP THEM SEPARATE.

  • No eating, drinking, smoking, or sleeping is permitted in the museums. Eating and drinking are permitted in designated areas only.

Where to find your stuff

Lost and found

  • To locate any items you might have lost while you are at the museums, ask any staff member on the museum floor to direct you to the Lost and Found.
  • If you need to contact us about lost items after your visit, please call (650) 619-0764 or email cantorsecurity@stanford.edu.
A man using his phone and leaning on his car

Getting here & getting around

Parking

  • Stanford Transportation has new guidelines in place for visitor parking, including the use of a new contactless web/app system. Please visit Stanford Transportation's website to learn more about this new process.
  • The museums do not own, manage, or control the parking facilities near the museums and are not responsible for any loss or damage taking place at such facilities.

ADA

  • Mobility devices are allowed. For motorized vehicles (including Segway), we request that the visitor contact the museums in advance, and upon arrival check in with the Visitor Services manager for instructions on where to go. The vehicle should be set at its lowest speed.
  • We have loaner wheelchairs and cane chairs available at the coat check on a first-come, first-served basis in exchange for an ID card.
  • Service animals are welcome at the museums as long as they are on leash and under their master’s control.

It's our job to protect the art

Art barriers

  • Art safety barriers are not to be violated. Please honor all art safety barriers and maintain a distance of at least 18 inches from all artwork.

Pens

  • If making notes is necessary, please use a pencil. Only pencils, regular and colored, are allowed in the galleries, because ink from pens can damage works of art.
  • Possession of spray cans is prohibited in all areas of the museums.

No Other Non-Service Animals

  • While service animals are allowed, no other animals are allowed in the museums.

No Smoking

  • The museums are a smoke free zone, including outside spaces. Visitors must be a minimum of 30 feet away from the doorway.

Noise

  • Purposefully disruptive noise is not allowed in the museums.
  • All electronic devices should be on silent mode when in the museums.
  • Please be mindful of your fellow visitors and take phone calls outside.

Protests

  • The interior of the museums are not a public forum and are not designated for use for protests, rallies, petition signature gathering, or other similar activities.

Weapons

  • The use or possession of any type of weapon or explosive is strictly prohibited.

Here are a few things we can't allow to happen at the museums

The following are prohibited and grounds for immediate ejection from the museums:

  • Blocking museum areas, including any entrance areas, entrance steps, platforms, gallery spaces, or access ramps or otherwise interfering with the free flow of pedestrian traffic in and around the museums
  • Blocking or interfering with admission lines or special event-related activities, including valet parking services for special events
  • Littering on museum property including entrance areas, entrance steps, platforms, and access ramps and any surrounding areas
  • Petition signature gathering or leafleting activities in any museum areas, including any entrance areas, entrance steps, platforms, or access ramps
  • Smoking any tobacco or other products, including smokeless devices, inside the museums or in an outdoor area within 30 feet of a main exit, entrance, or operable window of the museums
  • Excessive intoxication while on the premises
  • Possession, use, and/or being under the influence of controlled substances while on museum premises is strictly prohibited, except as authorized by a physician or prescription
  • Use of profanity and/or engaging in rude, inconsiderate, or abusive behavior
  • Creating a physically offensive condition, including disturbing odors or infested clothing or personal effects
  • Lack of clothing covering the upper and lower body; lack of shoes or other footwear
  • Refusal to follow directions from museum staff
  • Consumption of food or beverages in prohibited areas
  • Unauthorized entry into controlled or restricted areas
  • Repeated violation of art safety barriers
  • Failure to maintain control of minor children
  • Actual or attempted misappropriation of and/or damage to museum property
  • Disruptive behavior

In addition to the above, any behavior or activity that disrupts the safe or orderly use of the museums, or that affects the staff’s ability to provide services, is prohibited.

Group Visits

Please click here to learn more about group visits and virtual options for experiencing the Cantor.

Copyright

If you believe your copyright has been violated on a Stanford site, please give notice as stated under Reporting of Alleged Copyright Infringement.

Report Alleged Copyright Infringement

All questions and requests regarding photography not covered here must be approved by the Office of University Communications.
You can contact this office at 650-725-8396.