Policies
The MFAH is committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of its constituents.
SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY
As a private educational organization devoted to public service, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, provides galleries and other public spaces for reflection, discussion, enjoyment, and inspiration according to institutional guidelines. The Museum’s social spaces are governed by institutional guidelines as well. Free and open conversation is encouraged. Falsehoods, personal or institutional attacks, and hateful speech are not tolerated, nor are supporters of such comments. The MFAH reserves the right to hide or remove inappropriate posts and comments. Thank you for your support of this effort.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY POLICY
Professional photography and videography are prohibited on the campus of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. This includes all gallery buildings, the Glassell School of Art, Rienzi, and Bayou Bend. Only personal photography or videography, solely for private, noncommercial use, is allowed. Flash photography, tripods, selfie sticks, standing lights, and other related equipment are prohibited. Resulting video images and photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited in any manner whatsoever.
The Museum reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to withhold and/or withdraw permission to film or photograph on its premises, or to reproduce videos or photographs of objects in its collections. Museum personnel are authorized to enforce all policies and procedures included herein.
Outdoor photography permits are available for formal photography requests intended for personal, noncommercial use only. Examples of formal photography include, but are not limited to, bridal portraits, engagement photos, senior/graduation photos, and holiday family photos. More information about permits can be found here.
LOAN REQUESTS
Requests for outgoing loans from the collection must be received at least six months prior to the opening date of the exhibition. Formal requests on institutional letterhead may be sent to:
Director
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
P.O. Box 6826
Houston, TX 77265
RIGHTS AND REPRODUCTIONS POLICY
It is an institutional priority to provide images of MFAH objects through mfah.org for personal and educational use. In accordance with guidelines specified by the College Art Association and the Association of Art Museum Directors, images of collection objects in the public domain may be used under the guidelines outlined at mfah.org/terms for personal and educational purposes.
Artworks in Copyright
Images of artworks that are held in copyright by artists and/or other parties are available by request. Contact rights@mfah.org for these requests.
Artworks for Publication
Images of artworks for scholarly uses, such as publications, are available by request. Contact rights@mfah.org for these requests.
Images for commercial and retail projects are available for licensing through Bridgeman Images.
Request for Photography
Many objects in the MFAH collections have not been photographed. The photographic and imaging services department will accommodate requests for photography of objects without reproduction quality images whenever possible. There are situations, however, when photography is not feasible such as when a work must be installed, when the work is on loan for an exhibition, or if the work is too fragile for photography. Contact rights@mfah.org with your request.
More Information
Visit mfah.org/art for more information about the availability and use of MFAH images. Contact the photographic and imaging services department at rights@mfah.org for further information.
THIRD-PARTY TICKETS
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, can only guarantee tickets purchased directly from the Museum, or its authorized partners. Guests purchasing tickets through third-party ticket brokers or individuals reselling their tickets assume full risk for potentially fraudulent tickets purchased or obtained through unauthorized vendors. To verify a legitimate third-party ticketing partner, call 713.639.7550 during Museum hours of operation.
DONATIONS TO CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is pleased to support the mission of local charities, community groups, and nonprofit organizations by providing in-kind donations of tickets or memberships to aid in their commitment to the Houston area. Go to mfah.org/donationrequest for guidelines and details about donation requests, which must be submitted using the online form.
NEED ASSISTANCE? CONTACT US
Tickets and Memberships
If you encounter a problem purchasing tickets or a membership, please email guestservices@mfah.org. Please provide the issue you experienced and specify what you were trying to purchase (ticket or membership).
Film ticket discounts for college students with valid IDs are available in person at the admissions and membership services desks, as well as the film box office.
If you would rather speak to a guest services attendant by phone, call 713.639.7550 during business hours.
MFA Shop
Should you have questions about items from the online MFA Shop, please contact mfahshoponline@mfah.org.
Donations
For assistance with making a tax-deductible donation to the MFAH, for gifts of stock or securities, or for more information about the Museum’s annual fund drive, visit annual fund drives. Business hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Visit mfah.org/give for more information about supporting the MFAH with a donation.
ACCEPTED PAYMENT METHODS
To make an online purchase, please use the following credit cards: American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa, or MFAH gift cards.
REFUNDS AND EXCHANGES
For Memberships and Tickets
Purchases of Museum memberships, membership renewals, exhibition tickets, film tickets, and event tickets are final and cannot be refunded.
Refunds will be made only in the event of Museum closures or equipment failure, such as power failures, malfunctions in projection equipment, or similar situations.
For the Online MFA Shop
Please inspect your order upon delivery. Claims for damaged items must be made within five business days of receipt. Please contact mfahshoponline@mfah.org. We will arrange for a Call Tag to pick up damaged merchandise.
MERCHANDISE RETURNS
If for any reason you are not satisfied with your purchase from the online MFA Shop, please return the merchandise by mail within 30 days for an exchange or refund in the form of the original payment. If a receipt is not available at the time of the return, customers will receive a merchandise credit in the form of an MFAH gift card.
You may return your item(s) in person to the MFA Shop.
For mail returns, please contact the MFA Shop at mfahshoponline@mfah.org to obtain a Return Authorization Number before mailing your return item(s). When returning a package by mail, we encourage our customers to insure their return package to avoid any delivery issues that may occur en route to the MFAH.
Please read our Damage/Return Instructions carefully (they accompany your shipment, inside the package), before returning items.
Address for your return package:
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
ATTN: The MFA Shop Online – Returns
5600 Fannin at Ewing
Houston, TX 77004
1000Museums merchandise must be returned to 1000Museums. See the 1000Museums website for information.
Tickets and Memberships
Museum tickets, tickets to exhibitions, and film tickets purchased online may be printed at home and given as a gift.
Gift memberships are available online. Once purchased, a PDF of the gift membership is emailed to the purchaser, who may either:
(1) print out the PDF and give to the gift recipient by hand, or (2) forward the PDF by email to the gift recipient.
A third option is to let us take care of the gift-giving for you. Gift memberships purchased by phone or in person at the MFAH are mailed to the person of your choice. The recipient will receive by mail an attractive card indicating the membership level and identifying you, the gift giver. Gift memberships may be ordered by phone at 713.639.7550 or on-site at the MFAH during hours of operation. Please have the gift recipient’s mailing address and phone number on hand.
SHIPPING
For Tickets and Memberships
For your convenience, confirmation of tickets and gift memberships purchased online may be printed at home from your own printer. Adobe® Reader® is required. Visit the website for a free download. Online ticket or membership purchases are not available for will call. See next paragraph for further instructions.
Individuals who purchase new memberships or those who renew a membership online will receive a membership card by mail 4 to 6 weeks from the time of purchase. However, there is no need to wait for a membership card to begin enjoying the MFAH. Entry to the Museum is granted to all valid members who check in at the desk located in each lobby. Please be prepared to show a photo ID.
For the online MFA Shop
Contact mfahshoponline@mfah.org for information.
SALES TAX
Texas sales tax will be applied to each shipment.
ORDERS BY PHONE
If you do not want to order online, contact the MFA Shop at 713.639.7360.
BULK ORDERS
Contact the MFA Shop at 713.639.7360.
MUSEUM & SHOP HOURS
See Hours & Admissions for information.
FIREARMS AND WEAPONS PROHIBITED
Firearms and weapons are not permitted on MFAH premises. This includes all firearms and all weapons (and is not limited to): handguns, automatic weapons, shotguns, rifles, explosives, knives, and weapons of any kind. It applies to all firearms, whether concealed or openly carried, and regardless of whether the person carrying firearm is licensed or unlicensed.
The MFAH policy is based in part on Texas Penal Code sections:
• 30.05 (criminal trespass): A person may not enter this property with a firearm;
• 30.06 (no concealed carry): A person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun;
• 30.07 (no open carry): A person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly.