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:

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 through Wednesdays
Hours 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.

Non-Commercial Photography: Yes, non-commercial photography is permitted on the museum grounds, of the museum buildings and in the collection galleries. All photographs must be for private, personal use. Photography is not permitted inside special exhibitions or of any special exhibition works of art displayed throughout the museum, unless otherwise noted. No use of flash, tripods, selfie sticks or video cameras is allowed inside the museum.

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 the Facility Rental & Events Manager at 937-223-5277, ext. 337. 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.

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.

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.