Guidelines and Policies 

We are delighted to welcome visitors into our galleries and hope you enjoy your visit. 

When visiting, please observe the following guidelines:

1. No smoking, eating, or drinking is allowed in museum galleries at either location; smoking is not permitted in the Kogod Courtyard.
2. Visitors to SAAM's main building are permitted to bring in food and beverages to be consumed in designated spaces in the Kogod Courtyard only; alcoholic beverages and food for groups is not permitted. Outside food is not permitted at the Renwick Gallery, except for bottled water that may be consumed in designated areas.
3. Please do not touch the artworks on display; the salts and oils naturally produced on your hands are damaging to artworks, even sculpture and furniture.
4. Suitcases, large umbrellas, and large backpacks are not allowed in the galleries. Please note that we do not offer coat or bag storage. Strollers are permitted in the galleries. 
5. All visitors are required to pass through security screening at the museum's G Street and F Street Entrances of SAAM's main building. At SAAM’s Renwick Gallery, visitors are required to have their bags hand-screened by security personnel. Security officers may ask visitors to hand-carry smaller backpacks or wear them on the front of their bodies. 
6. Limit use of talking on mobile phones in the galleries out of consideration for your fellow visitors.
7. No running, roller skating, or horseplay, as they endanger the safety of both the artworks and other visitors. Children should be carefully supervised.

We are delighted to welcome visitors back into our galleries. Masks are not required while visiting the Smithsonian American Art Museum or its Renwick Gallery. Visitors may choose to wear a mask during their visit or while participating in a program or event.

Social distancing continues to be encouraged and we ask people who do not feel well to stay home.

Updated information about Smithsonian COVID-19 guidelines and safety measures are online. All visitors are required to pass through screening at the museum's G Street and F Street entrances. Visitors who do not adhere to safety policies and guidelines may be asked to leave.The Smithsonian reserves the right to modify its hours of operation, capacity, and visitor guidelines as circumstances require.

All children (under the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult chaperone. At least one (1) adult chaperone is required to accompany up to five (5) children.

If Sick, Stay Home

We’re asking all visitors who are sick or feel unwell to please stay home. If you are at increased risk of severe illness, you may also want to consider staying home.

Barrier-free access to both SAAM’s main building and its Renwick Gallery are available.

At SAAM, ramps are located on both sides of the 8th and G Streets NW entrance. At the Renwick Gallery, a ramp at the corner of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW leads to an accessible entrance.

If you are using MetroAccess Paratransit, please use 800 G Street NW as the address for our building. Wheelchairs are also available and subject to enhanced cleaning regulations.

AIRA

The Smithsonian Washington, D.C.-metropolitan area museums and the National Zoo are Aira access sites. Visitors who are blind or low-vision can download the Aira app free of charge onto a smart phone. The Aira app uses the phone’s camera to take in the user’s surroundings, and a live Aira agent will describe the environment, including reading of exhibit labels and instructions. This service is free of charge on the museum premises. Visit Aria Access.

Visitors are required to pass through screening at the Smithsonian American Art Museum as part of the effort to standardize security throughout the Smithsonian Institution. Check the Smithsonian's visitor guidelines for the most up-to-date information.

At SAAM’s main building, visitors are required to walk through a metal detector; those who cannot go through the metal detector will be hand-screened with an electronic wand by security personnel. Help speed your entry by limiting the number and size of personal belongings and bags brought on-site.

Security officers are located throughout the building to protect the Museum, its collections, and most importantly, our visitors. Please feel free to ask them for assistance. A Security Desk is located by the Museum entrance/exit at the G Street and F Street entrances.

At SAAM’s Renwick Gallery, visitors are required to have their bags hand-screened by security personnel.

SAAM encourages visitors to limit the number of personal belongings and bags brought on-site. In advance of visiting, please review the Smithsonian Institution's list of permitted and prohibited items.

Doing so will increase your speed through security checkpoints and help all maintain a safe social distance. 

If you left something behind after your visit, please call the Smithsonian’s Lost and Found Office at (202) 633-5630.

Handheld photography and video for personal use is generally permitted throughout the museum. Sometimes, photography of particular artworks may not be allowed in selected special exhibitions; please check the wall signage to confirm. No tripods, selfie sticks, or similar long tools are permitted in the galleries to protect the artworks. Commercial photography and professional filming requests must be pre-arranged with the museum’s Office of Public Affairs by writing to AmericanArtPressOffice@si.edu

Sketching is permitted only in permanent collection galleries and the Luce Foundation Center, not in special exhibitions. Please be extremely careful with your drawing tools; show respect for the artwork and your fellow visitors.

Drawing boards and sketch pads may be no larger than 18 x 24 inches and we allow “dry” media only: pencils, wax crayon, conte crayon and erasers. Pens, loose ink, fountain pens, oil crayon, paint (including watercolors), easels or stands, and charcoal or pastel in stick form are not allowed.