Skip to Main Content
art institute of chicago logo

SAIC community

Photoduplication Policy

Photography

  • Photography of non-archival items is permitted, but please turn off the flash.

  • Personal scanners are not allowed.

  • Use of professional photography equipment, including tripods, lighting equipment, and copy stands, is not permitted.

  • Archival materials may not be photographed without consulting the reference desk staff and completing the Permission to Photograph Archival Collections form (available at the reference desk). Restricted and unprocessed materials may not be photographed for any reason without the explicit permission of archives staff.

 

Photocopies and Scans

Visitors may scan general collection library materials to email or USB drive or may print copies. All materials must be approved by a reference librarian before using the scanner as some items are deemed too fragile, large, or valuable to be copied on our scanning equipment. Orders for digital files of library materials will be accepted by library staff only, and may be placed by contacting us at reference@artic.edu.

Artist files and special collections items may not be scanned on the reading room equipment.

Archival materials may be scanned by archives staff only. Orders for new and existing images from the Archives, including from our Images and Media database, can be submitted in person, or via this form. You may request high-resolution 300dpi TIF files or study-quality PDF scans.

Photography of Art Institute of Chicago art collection materials must be requested through our Image Licensing site.

  • Photography orders take up to 12 weeks to complete (from the time payment is received).
  • Prepayment for photographic services is required for all orders.
  • Long-distance requests are accepted, but additional fees apply.
  • Photography fees:
    • Archival materials: fees vary by guaranteed delivery time; see here for more information.
    • All other materials: $15 per image
  • Other fees may apply.

 

Copyright Statement

Works of art, text, and other content appearing in these reproductions may be protected by copyright or related interests that are not owned by the museum. It is your responsibility to obtain whatever copyright or other permissions may be required from an artist, the artist’s agent or estate, or any other third party rights holder. By accepting or using these reproductions, you agree to indemnify the museum and hold it harmless against any and all claims, demands, and/or actions of any nature, including the expenses thereof, arising as a result of your use of the reproductions.