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Museum Visitor Policies

For the protection of the works of art and our visitors, the following policies currently apply when you visit the Cleveland Museum of Art (CMA).

Visitor Policies

  • Please check all bags, backpacks, and briefcases 13 x 17 x 6 inches or larger; umbrellas; and other bulky items. All items are subject to inspection, and the museum reserves the right to decide what should be checked. Nothing is permitted to be carried on one’s back.
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art prohibits any person carrying a concealed handgun or other deadly weapon (including but not limited to pepper spray, small pocketknife, etc.) onto these premises. No person shall knowingly possess, have under their control, convey, or attempt to convey a deadly weapon or dangerous ordinance on these premises. O.R.C. 2923.126(C)(3)
  • To ensure safety for all, visitors must pass through metal detectors at the entrance of the building. People refusing a security screening are denied entry into the museum. Questions regarding equipment specifications can be directed to securityoperations@clevelandart.org.
  • The Cleveland Museum of Art prohibits the solicitation, distribution, and posting of materials on CMA property.
  • The CMA strives to provide excellent experience for visitors of all ages. To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all visitors, we do not allow nudity or attire that is too revealing. The CMA does not allow clothing with profanity or images/text that promote, support, or commemorate current or historical hate groups, violence (including propaganda or display of sensitive symbols), or other offensive materials deemed inappropriate by the museum inside the museum or on its grounds. The CMA reserves the right to ask individuals dressed inappropriately to adjust their dress or leave the premises. All visitors must wear appropriate footwear while in the museum.
  • Verbally or physically harassing, threatening, intimidating, or intentionally interfering with museum staff, volunteers, or visitors is prohibited. This includes taking photos, videos, or recordings of staff or volunteers without their consent.
  • Children 14 years of age and younger should be under adult supervision.
  • Service animals accompanying disabled individuals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not permitted in the museum.
  • Smoking, including electronic smoking or vaping, is not permitted in the museum, on its grounds, or in the parking garage.
  • Food and beverages cannot be brought into the museum. Reusable water bottles may be checked at the coat check while in the museum. Food, beverages, and gum are not permitted in the galleries, library, auditorium, or lecture halls.
  • Wheelchairs are welcome. Strollers are welcome unless otherwise noted in certain special exhibitions. Wagons are not permitted. Wheelchairs and strollers are available, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis. The Cleveland Museum of Art is unable to provide wheelchair escort personnel—please plan on bringing assistance if needed.
  • Please do not touch the artworks, frames, bases, or protective coverings.
  • Maintain a safe distance from all paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts. A two-foot distance is recommended. An alarm may sound as a reminder. Refrain from gesturing near the artwork.
  • Refrain from running, yelling, or disruptive behavior.
  • Courtesy to others should be exercised when using cell phones in gallery spaces.
  • Drawing is permitted in the galleries with pencils and drawing pads that can be held in the hand or on the lap. Pens, markers, paint, charcoal, or pastels, and easels are not permitted.
  • Unplanned wedding ceremonies or other ceremonies are not permitted at CMA. Please contact Bon Appétit to discuss renting space for your event.

Photography Policies

  • On-site visitors to the CMA are permitted to capture still and moving images and make three-dimensional (3-D) models—“capture media”—of public-domain artworks in the publicly displayed collections of the CMA. 
  • Quick snapshots are permitted in the galleries. Organized photo shoots are not permitted in the galleries.
  • Only the use of point-and-shoot cameras, phones, and handheld equipment is permitted, provided there is no disruption to museum operations or guest accessibility. The use of flash, tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, additional lighting, props, or large, multicomponent, nonhandheld equipment is not permitted.
  • Permitted uses of capture media for public-domain artworks in the CMA’s collections include commercial and noncommercial purposes. The CMA waives any rights to media created by users capturing public-domain artworks in its collections.
  • Certain works of art, as well as images of those works of art, may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by the CMA. Permissions must be secured from any third-party rights holders. The responsibility for ascertaining the copyright status of a work, whether any such rights exist, and for obtaining all other necessary permissions remains solely with the user, and the CMA has no responsibility for securing such necessary rights as they pertain to the visitor’s on-site media-capture activities.
  • The CMA’s open access initiative offers the public the ability to download, share, collaborate, remix, and reuse images of public-domain artworks from the museum’s collection, as well as metadata for the entire collection, without asking permission. High-resolution images and data related to the CMA’s collection are made available under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) designation. 
  • Wedding parties, engagement couples, prom groups, families, etc., looking to take photos are permitted only on the museum’s grounds or on the first floor of the Ames Family Atrium. 
  • Flowers are permitted only on museum grounds or on the first floor of the Ames Family Atrium. 
  • Reservations or advanced notice are not required, but please note that there are frequent public and private events inside and outside the museum that may limit space. The CMA reserves the right to limit photo activity in the museum at any time.
  • Use of flashlights or laser pointers is not permitted.

Lost and Found

  • The CMA holds lost-and-found items at the coat check for a 30-day period. Unclaimed items are disposed of after 30 days. Please contact information@clevelandart.org to inquire about a lost item.

Ticketing Policies

  • Tickets are nonrefundable. No refunds are issued unless the event is canceled by the venue or if safety concerns prevent the event from taking place. If an event is canceled, tickets are refunded in full. If an event is rescheduled, tickets are honored for the new date. We encourage attendees to stay informed about event updates.
  • Separate emails for order confirmations and e-ticket are generated from ticketing@clevelandart.org. Please be sure to add our email address to your contacts list so that messages from ticketing@clevelandart.org do not go into your spam folder. 
  • Tickets issued by the CMA must not be resold on or off the premises of the museum, except by authorized agents or museum ticket office staff. A ticket has no cash resale value and is void if transferred, resold, or bartered. The holder assumes all risks and damages incidental to the event for which the ticket is issued, whether occurring prior to, during, or after the same.

Using ArtLens App and Wi-Fi

  • The ArtLens App provides access to detailed information on every object currently on display, along with videos and real-time location services within the museum. For an enhanced experience, we recommend bringing your own headphones.
  • Stay connected during your visit by using the museum’s complimentary Wi-Fi. Simply connect to the network named CMA FREE WIFI to access the ArtLens features and other online resources.

Limitation of Liability, Disclaimers, and Waivers

Visitors acknowledge that the CMA, its trustees, officers, employees, and agents (CMA parties), rely on the foregoing terms and conditions as well as those posted on museum premises and websites and tickets, including but not limited to, those relating to COVID-19, potentially at substantial cost to them, and hereby waive, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the right to assert any claim, whether sounding in negligence, gross negligence, contract or quasi contract, against any CMA party relating to the exercise of the rights and permissions granted hereunder or thereunder. Visitors further agree to indemnify and hold the CMA parties harmless from and against any claims, damages, costs, liabilities, and expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs) arising out of or related to any (a) content they capture, post, store, or otherwise transmit on any platform or (b) their failure to abide by the terms and conditions set forth above or posted on museum premises or other websites or tickets.

 

The Cleveland Museum of Art appreciates cooperation.