FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

We want you to have an amazing art adventure at your Dayton Art Institute, but we do ask you to observe some general rules. First and foremost, please do not touch the art. Even the slightest touch can cause damage to irreplaceable works of art. We ask that you maintain a distance of at least 18 inches from all works of art in the museum. Please do not run in the museum or climb on anything. Silence your phones, and be respectful of other museum guests. Children and youth ages 16 and under must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult while in the museum. Have fun and enjoy your visit!

Current museum hours are:

Wednesday: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–5 p.m.
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
Hours may be subject to change due to COVID-19; call 937-223-4ART (4278) to confirm

The museum is closed Easter Sunday, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

General admission to the Dayton Art Institute is:
Adults: $15
Seniors (60+), Active Military, Groups (10 or more): $10
College Students (18+ with ID) & Youth (ages 7-17): $5
Children (ages 6 & younger): Free

Admission is free for museum members.

Prices include admission to all Special Exhibitions, Focus Exhibitions and the museum’s collection galleries.

Some programs and events carry an admission charge or registration fee beyond the museum’s general admission and include admission to exhibitions and the collection galleries as part of the admission charge or registration fee.

A free parking lot is adjacent to the museum building. Additional parking is available on neighborhood streets and in paid lots in downtown Dayton. During special events, parking may also be available at Dayton Masonic Center and/or Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church; watch for signs or check with DAI security for more information.

Handicapped Parking: There are four (4) handicapped parking spaces in the museum parking, two (2) on the south side of the Entrance Rotunda and two (2) in front of the Rike Pavilion.

School/Bus Parking: Passengers should disembark at the Entrance Rotunda. Bus should proceed to the northwest corner of the museum lot to park.

For the safety of the art, most bags are not permitted. The only exceptions are: bags for medical care, bags for childcare purposes, and small purses (smaller than 11″ tall × 15″ long × 4″ wide). Backpacks and back-pack style purses are not allowed in the galleries, due to the risk of them striking artworks while being worn. Storage lockers are available free of charge in the Rotunda coatroom, on a first-come, first-served basis.

All purses and bags are subject to security check, regardless of size. The museum reserves the right to decide what should be placed in the coatroom or to refuse items into the museum.

The DAI works hard to ensure that the museum is accessible to everyone.  Here are some resources that are available at the museum during your visit. All the following services are free of charge. If you have additional questions, please ask a Guest Services Representative or any member of our team. We are happy to help!

• Accessible Main Entrance and Exit
• Wheelchair access throughout the museum including galleries, Museum Store and restrooms.
• Elevator access to all galleries (see map for locations)
• Accessible entrances to the auditorium and Gothic Cloister
• Accessible ramp to Hale Cloister (by request)
• Restrooms on all floors of the museum
• Wheelchairs for guest use in the coatroom
• Lockers in the coatroom for any belongings. (See Security for a key)
• Hand sanitizer stations throughout the museum

Available at the Guest Services Desk:

• Maps and brochures (large print available on request)
• Spanish translation maps
• Local restaurant information
• Bottled water
• PPE including masks and face shields
• Sensory Tools including: noise reducing headphones, fidgets, and poppits

Please ask any staff for assistance. If a staff member or security guard cannot be found, please call 937-223-4278.  A member of our Guest Services will be happy to help you. 

Photography is encouraged at the Dayton Art Institute! The public can take photos on our grand staircase or grounds any time as long as there is not an event happening and weather permitting. There is no fee for photos taken outside on the museum grounds, and photos taken on the museum grounds do not need to be scheduled in advance. In the event of a rental, Security will place signs indicating closure of specific areas.

Non-Staged Photography: Inside the building, our guests are permitted to take photos of their visit following the guidelines below for non-staged photos.

Definition: Photos of guests’ visit such as of their favorite works of art or of their party in a non-professional or stylistic manner and for no special occasion other than to remember their time at the museum.

Guests must follow all other museum policies including but not limited to…

• Leaving all sharp objects including pocketknives and weapons including pepper spray in their vehicle
• Storing backpacks, large bags, food, and liquids in our free lockers
• Remaining at least 18 inches away from art at all times
• Use only handheld cameras or phones
• We do not allow any tripods or lighting equipment in the galleries. Drones are not permitted inside the DAI
• Flash photography is not permitted in the galleries but can be used in the Great Hall, Hale Cloister and Gothic Cloister
• Some works of art are marked with a no photography icon and cannot be photographed
• Guests cannot solicit other guests for photos inside the building
• Guests cannot block any doors, exits, or stairs while taking photos

We encourage our guests to share their photos on social media and tag us using @daytonartinstitute.

Staged Portraits (family, engagement, graduation, prom, etc.) & Commercial Photography: There is a $75 fee for staged portraits or commercial photography taken inside the museum. Staged portraits and commercial photography inside the museum must be scheduled in advance by calling Tina McPhearson at 937-223-5277, ext. 125. Sessions are subject to our events calendar, staffing, and hours of operation. Walk-in sessions are subject to the approval of Guest Services and Security and are not guaranteed.

Definition: Stylistic photos using the museum as a backdrop. Usually celebrating special occasions such as graduation, prom, engagements, or maternity.

Any photography at the museum should not interfere with other guests’ use of the facilities or any events (public or private) taking place at the museum.

To view the DAI’s full photography policy, please CLICK HERE. 

Food and drinks are not permitted in the collection galleries or exhibitions. During special and rental events, food and drink are allowed in the museum’s Lower Court, Great Hall, Hale Cloister, Shaw Gothic Cloister and Entrance Rotunda. 

Yes! The Dayton Art Institute combines a world-class art museum and architecturally significant building to create one of the area’s premier destinations for events. The museum offers many elegant event spaces that will accommodate everything from an intimate luncheon for 30, to a seated dinner for 300 or a cocktail reception for 600. Your guests will be surrounded by masterpieces from around the world and across the ages, creating an unforgettable experience. Our team has a passion for entertaining. Let us help you throw an exciting event set against a backdrop of timeless art and culture. Click here to visit our rentals page for more information.

The Dayton Art Institute does not appraise artwork.  The inclusion of organizations and individuals on this list is not an endorsement by The Dayton Art Institute but is offered as a courtesy to those seeking information.   The Dayton Art Institute is not responsible for results of these referrals.

The following membership organizations list names and addresses of appraisers and dealers:

American Society of Appraisers
P.O. Box 17265
Washington, D.C. 20041
Phone: (800) 272-8258
www.appraisers.org

Appraisers Association of America
386 Park Avenue South
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 889-5404, ext.11
www.appraisersassoc.org 

The International Society of Appraisers
16040 Christensen Rd. #320
Seattle, WA 98188
Phone: (206) 241-0359
www.isa-appraisers.org

National Institute of Appraisers
73450 Country Club Dr. #181
Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: (800) 676-2148
www.appraiseroffineart.com

In addition, the following two Ohio auction houses also provide appraisal services.

Cowan’s Auctions, Inc.
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45232
Phone: (513) 871-1670
Email: info@cowans.com
www.cowanauctions.com

Garth’s Auctions, Inc.
2690 Stratford Road
PO Box 369
Delaware, Ohio 43015
Phone: (740) 362-4771
Email: info@garths.com
www.garths.com  

The Dayton Art Institute does not provide conservation services.  

The inclusion of organizations and individuals on this list is not an endorsement by the Dayton Art Institute but is offered as a courtesy to those seeking information.   The Dayton Art Institute is not responsible for results of these referrals.

Most conservators will want to see high quality photographs of the artworks before discussing or providing an estimate.

American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works
1156 15th Street NW Suite 320
Washington, DC 20005-1714
Phone: (202) 452-9545
www.conservation-us.org
(Referrals and information)

Intermuseum Conservation Association (ICA)
2915 Detroit Ave.
Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: (216) 658-8700
www.ica-artconservation.org  

McKay Lodge Fine Arts Conservation Laboratory, Inc
10915 Pyle-South Amherst Road
Oberlin, OH 44074
Phone: 440-774-4215
mckaylodge.com

Wiebold Studio, Inc.
413 Terrace Place
Terrace Park, OH 45174
Phone: 513-831-2541
www.wiebold.com

Old World Restorations, Inc.
5729 Dragon Way
Cincinnati, Ohio 45227 USA
Phone: (513) 271-5459
www.oldworldrestorations.com