Preserving the collection is the foremost responsibility of the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (the Carter) and we therefore ask that you read and observe the rules below. Violation of these rules will lead to termination of your research privileges to the Study Room. These rules apply to all collection materials. The staff of the Carter will make every effort to see that qualified researchers are given a reasonable amount of access to collections and assistance in their research needs. Researchers are expected to abide by all professional and scholarly canons of research ethics.

Research visits

All research projects require a prior appointment and all decisions concerning access to collections will be made at the Carter’s discretion.

At times of high demand, the Carter reserves the right to limit frequent visits from repeat visitors.

The visitor must indicate if any special assistance or accessibility is required.

The visitor may request a maximum of fifteen (15) artworks to view. All requests are subject to the Carter’s approval. Works that are oversized, unavailable, framed, or fragile may be struck from the list. In these cases, the work can be substituted with another similar work, where appropriate, if requested.

Study Room Etiquette

Smoking is prohibited in the entire museum. Food and drink, including chewing gum, candy, or mints, are not permitted in the Study Room. Painted nails can mark paper, so gloves must be worn if a researcher’s nails are painted.

Only materials necessary for research may be brought into the Study Room. Pencils and paper will be provided. Laptop computers may be used, but should be placed at a safe distance from any artwork. No pens, notebooks, or sticky notes may be used. All briefcases, purses, bags, file folders, coats, hats, umbrellas, backpacks, computer bags, portfolios, large notebooks, and any other items requested must be stored in lockers.

Please turn off or silence cell phones.

A Carter staff member must be in the Study Room at all times when the visitors are present.

Handling Materials

In most instances, a Carter staff member will handle all artwork. In isolated cases, and with prior permission, researchers who are experienced museum professionals may be permitted to handle matted artwork or unmatted photographs in folders.

Staff members will remove interleaving tissue from matted work. Ask for assistance to look at anything hidden beneath the mat window or on the back of print.

If an object must be moved for any reason, notify a Carter staff member.

Take care that nothing touches the surface of any art object. Remove or secure any objects that might fall or cause a danger to an art object, including ties, scarves, jewelry, and identification badges. Avoid sneezing or coughing over objects.

Materials may not be leaned on, written on, folded, traced from, or handled in any way likely to damage them. No marks may be added to or erased from the mats. No books, papers or other objects may be placed on top of the materials.

Removal of materials from the building is strictly prohibited.

Rights

The Carter may request a copy of any subsequent publications.

Requests for photographic images and permission to reproduce should be made in writing and submitted to rights@cartermuseum.org. Please allow two weeks for processing.

The researcher is advised that the Carter may not hold literary or other copyrights to some items, and that it is the researcher’s responsibility to secure these rights.

Please note that access to the collections at the Amon Carter Museum does not imply permission to copy, quote, publish, or otherwise make public use of any part of the collection. The researcher assumes the responsibility to secure such permissions, including permission from the Amon Carter Museum, prior to use.