Photography/Video Guidelines

Personal Photography

Visitors are welcome to take casual photos and videos at the Blanton Museum of Art unless otherwise indicated by museum staff or signs. Please observe the following rules:

• Photography and video are permitted for personal, non-commercial use with small handheld cameras/devices.
• Flash photography is not permitted.
• Stabilization devices such as tripods, monopods, and selfie sticks are not permitted inside the museum, including inside Austin by Ellsworth Kelly. Other equipment, including large camera bags, may be restricted at the Blanton’s discretion. If you are unsure about using certain equipment, please check at the Visitor Services Desk or with a Gallery Assistant.
• Wardrobe changes are not permitted.
• Photography and filming must not disrupt other visitors or limit accessibility of exhibitions, entrances/exits, doorways, and high-traffic areas. Please consider the following areas where photography and filming are least disruptive to other guests: Rapoport Atrium and Moody Patio.
• Take photos and videos to share with friends and post about your visit, but please keep your phone on vibrate as a courtesy to other visitors. (P.S. we love seeing creative photos from our visitors—when posting your photos please tag them #blantonmuseum so we’ll see them, too!)

At this time, the Blanton cannot accommodate requests for photography, videography, or filming for professional sessions (including but not limited to engagement, wedding, and graduation photo shoots).

The Blanton Museum of Art reserves the right to restrict photography and filming at any time and remove an individual or group that is causing a distraction that may detract from the experience of other visitors.

If you have any further questions regarding personal photography, please call 512-471-5482 during opening hours or email info@blantonmuseum.org.

Press & Media

The Marketing & Communications department handles photography and filming requests for editorial usage. You can reach us at katie.bruton@blantonmuseum.org. All organized photo and video shoots should be requested at least five business days in advance and require a staff member escort.

Please note that many works of art in our collection and on view at the Blanton, including Ellsworth Kelly’s Austin, are copyrighted and require special permissions to photograph and publish imagery of.

Students

If you’re covering the Blanton for a student newspaper or other student media outlet:

• Contact us at pr@blantonmuseum.org at least five business days in advance for photography and filming requests for student media.
• With advance notice, we can arrange staff interviews depending on availability. The more advance notice you give us, the higher the likelihood that we can accommodate requests.
• Always email the Marketing & Communications department using the address above; please do not email other Blanton staff directly.

Please note: the Blanton currently cannot accommodate requests for photography, videography, or filming for student projects. Occassionally, the Marketing & Communications department can accommodate interview requests for UT student projects if enough advance notice is given.

Commercial Photography

University rules prohibit photography or filming for commercials or advertisements on campus, as well as filming that implies endorsement of a business or organization (including nonprofits).

More Information

All requests are approved on a case-by-case basis by museum staff. Requests are evaluated by the following criteria:

• Availability of museum staff to respond to the request
• Security of the collection and museum operations
• Health and safety considerations
• Ability to complete the photography or filming with minimal disruption to staff, visitors, tours, and museum events
• Cultural sensitivity of the objects and museum policy
• Compliance with copyright, laws, or regulations established by The University of Texas at Austin, the Blanton, and state and federal government.