Access to and use of images in the Syracuse University Art Museum’s permanent collection for educational, research, and marketing purposes by students, professors, scholars, the media, the general public, and museum staff must be consistent with the long-term preservation of the objects in its collections.
The Museum recognizes that artwork installed in the Museum facilities and installed on campus are photographed by the general public for personal use. However, photography of those same materials for non-personal use is subject to state and federal copyright, privacy laws and regulations.
The Photography & Video Policies seeks to establish guidelines and procedures to ensure that such photography:
- Does not damage the objects in University care;
- Does not interfere with the safety and enjoyment of visitors;
- Complies with state and federal copyright, privacy laws and regulations.
To protect the objects being photographed, the copyright privileges of their creators, and the safety of other visitors, there are certain guidelines that must be followed when photographing at the Museum.
General Visitors
The Museum permits photography of the permanent collection for personal use only. If you are posting online or social media outlets, please make sure to credit the museum in the following way “Courtesy of the Syracuse University Art Museum,” or tag us on Facebook/Instagram/ X: @suartmuseum
General Policy
Non flash photography is permitted for personal use, except where noted in temporary exhibition spaces that may have loaned material included. Flash photography, video, drones, and tripods are not permitted for visitors.
During museum open hours and events, photographers may be at work documenting Museum activities. Your presence implies your consent to the Museum’s use of your likeness in educational and promotional materials.
To help us preserve artwork that is installed in our Art on Campus program on the campus grounds, entering, climbing, or standing on any public sculpture is prohibited; do not climb, lean or sit on any artworks. Do not place props or equipment on the sculptures.
Press
Members of the press and other Syracuse University departments are permitted to photograph exhibitions and the museum facilities with prior permission from the Associate Director or designated museum administration staff. The press member must identify themselves by showing identification and signing in with the Museum’s receptionist. Equipment bags are subject to search. Press members are allowed during opening receptions and special events. Flashes are allowed for general museum photos by press members only (not for close-ups of individual objects).
Student Photography or Film Projects
Projects involving photography or film/video in the Museum are allowed with advance prior approval at least two weeks beforehand from Museum staff.
Before a project is approved, a Project Permission Form must be completed and the proper signatures acquired. This form must be submitted at least two weeks prior to the start of the project.
After the proposal is submitted, Museum staff members communicate with the requestor to discuss the project and make a timely decision. Potential danger to works of art or people, scheduling conflicts, other events and workload that day, availability of staff to supervise the shoot, benefit to Museum or Syracuse University, additional security costs, potential for artwork to be moved, previous contact with the applicant, and any special circumstances will all be taken under consideration.
Image Licensing Requests
Most of the Museum collection is available online for public access through the eMuseum platform, with a growing number of digital images. Anyone can use this database and will be able to download a 300 x 300 research quality image, displayed under fair use, in accordance with guidelines recommended by the American Association of Art Museum Directors.
For objects that are in public domain (objects created before 1900), the public can download a research image up to a 1600 x 1600 pixel size. Objects that are currently under copyright (created 1900 or later are limited to the smaller 300 dpi research image.
Images from our permanent collection can be licensed for any personal, scholarly, editorial, and commercial usage through Bridgeman Images.
Please forward any image requests to Bridgeman Images’ Research Team: researchteam@bridgemanimages.com
In rare instances when Bridgeman is unable to provide an image, contact the museum for assistance. Requests requiring new photography may take 4–8 weeks to process.