The MFA strives to maintain a safe, comfortable, and respectful environment for all visitors. We also take our role as guardians of the objects in our collection very seriously. Please enjoy all that the Museum has to offer and observe the policies listed here to help protect and preserve the art on view in the Museum.
Baggage and Coat Check
Attire and Cell Phone Policies
Shirt and footwear are required for entry.
Please do not use your mobile phone for conversations in the galleries.
Dining
Nestled among the grand masters of art and design in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, a variety of dining venues from Restaurant Associates stir the senses with seasonal menus and locally grown ingredients.
Film and Photography
Personal photography
Still photography and video taken from a handheld device of objects in the permanent collection are permitted for personal, nondistributional, noncommercial use. Please refrain from photography of loans and temporary exhibitions. Flashes, tripods, monopods, or video cameras in the galleries are prohibited. No photographs or videotapes may be reproduced, published, distributed, sold, transferred, or otherwise commercially exploited without written permission from the MFA. Formal portraits, event photography, and any other commissioned photography require prior written permission from the MFA. Permission requests may be sent to mfaimages@mfa.org. Please allow 3 weeks for the review and consideration of all permission requests. Same day requests will not be considered or approved.
Reproduction photography
Photographic and digital images of MFA objects are available through Digital Image Resources. Low-resolution digital images may be purchased for educational use, but may not be reproduced. Other photography (black-and-white photographs, color transparencies, and high-resolution digital files) may be rented or purchased for reproduction purposes. If photography is not available of a particular MFA object, new photography may be created by the MFA's photo studio.
Please submit all inquiries and requests regarding images for personal and study purposes, one-time reproductions (including books and other printed publications), location filming, and merchandise licensing to:
MFA Images - Digital Image Resources
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
465 Huntington Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
Phone: 617-369-4338
Fax: 617-437-7471
E-mail: mfaimages@mfa.org
International Visitors
MFA Guides
Take a tour and explore with a touch screen player. Get insights from curators, conservators, artists and others on exhibitions and artwork through images, audio, and video. Available in German, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese.
Maps and Visitor Guides
Maps are available in German, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, and Japanese.
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found is located in the Sharf Visitor Center. You may also contact Lost and Found by phone at 617-369-4296.
Mobility Devices and Gallery Seating
Mobility Devices
Manual wheelchairs, Rollators (walkers with wheels, padded seats, and backs), are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis at all entrances. Please return all wheelchairs and walkers after your visit. If you have any questions regarding Museum accessibility, please visit Accessibility,
e-mail access@mfa.org, or call 617-267-9300.
Gallery Seating
Free gallery stools are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. These lightweight folding seats are available at the Sharf Visitor Center. Please return them at the end of your visit. Gallery stools are not usually allowed in the Gund Gallery or other special exhibitions, but if you need to use one during your visit, please inform the protective services staff before entering the gallery.
Protect and Preserve the MFA
When visiting the MFA please refrain from the following:
- Touching any art objects
- Getting closer than 12 inches to any unprotected artwork
- Gesturing within 2 feet of any artwork
- Smoking
- Chewing gum
- Running, yelling, or disruptive behavior
- Cell phone usage in the galleries
- Flash photography
For the protection of the objects on view in the Museum, the following items are not allowed in the galleries:
- Food or liquids
- Backpacks, large bags, or portfolios
- Portable radios
- Flashlights or laser pointers
- Tripods or monopods
- Umbrellas
- Additional lighting
- Paints or easels without prior permission or a permit
- Pen markers
- Vine charcoals/pastels or soft drawing media
- Open containers or solvents
Visiting with Kids
The MFA welcomes children and families and provides educational opportunities and programming just for kids. See Visiting with Kids for tips and information.
Please take a moment before you visit the MFA to discuss proper museum behavior with your children and remember that an adult must supervise any child under the age of 14.
Strollers are allowed in all galleries; however, there may be restrictions in special exhibition galleries if crowds are large.
SKETCHING, DRAWING, AND PAINTING
Drawing and Sketching
Drawing with pencils and erasers is permitted.
Drawing boards and sketchpads are permitted, but must be 18" x 24" or smaller.
Copying in watercolors, crayons, pastels, or charcoal is not permitted.
Bags, backpacks, pocketbooks, and purses in the Museum are limited to 11" x 15".