Visitor Policies

To help ensure a safe environment for all who enter BAMPFA and for the artworks entrusted to our care, visitors are required to follow these policies and any instructions provided by our Visitors Experience team members.

Keep a safe distance

  • Please enjoy the art from a safe distance and do not touch artworks, pedestals, or cases unless posted signs specifically invite you to do so.
  • When pointing at an artwork, please keep your hands at least 18 inches away.

Photography is encouraged, but no flash, please

  • You are invited to take photos and short videos without flash in the galleries, unless otherwise noted.
  • Tripods and selfie sticks are not permitted.
  • Recording devices are not permitted in the theater.

Sketching

  • You’re welcome to sketch in the galleries on sketchbooks up to 11” x 17”.
  • Please use pencils only—they’re available at the admissions desk if you need one!

Young visitors

  • Diaper changing tables are available in the Lower Level restrooms.
  • Front carrying baby-carriers are ok. Sorry, no back-carrying babies.
  • You may breastfeed or bottle feed wherever you feel most comfortable.
  • Please feed children in the Bakar Atrium, just outside the Barbro Osher Theater.
  • Children 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Please keep your child in sight at all times, and note that running is not allowed in the museum.
  • Young visitors ages 14–18 may visit without an adult by submitting a valid school ID.

Food + drinks

  • Open food and drink are not allowed in the galleries.
  • Sealed food and drinks (including water bottles) must be packed inside a bag.
  • You can enjoy your food and drink in the Bakar Atrium, just outside the Barbro Osher Theater.

Cell phones

  • Please refrain from talking on cell phones in our theater and gallery spaces.

Accessibility

  • Service dogs and service miniature horses are welcome! Please leave pets and Emotional Support Animals at home.
  • Free wheelchairs are available at the admissions desk.
  • Free Assisted Listening Devices, Closed Captioning Devices, and Audio Description Devices are available and can be used in the Barbro Osher Theater when a film has open captions (OC), closed captions (CC), or audio description (AD) available. Learn more about our accessibility features.
  • Need a seat? You can find benches and chairs throughout the museum, and plenty of seats on the steps of the Crane Forum near BAMPFA’s entrance.
  • If you need other accommodations to enjoy BAMPFA, please let our Visitor Experience team know.

Bag check

  • Long umbrellas, plants (including flowers), and back-carrying baby carriers aren’t allowed in our galleries, but we can hold on to these items for you at our free bag check.
  • These items aren’t allowed inside BAMPFA, and cannot be accepted at bag check: spillable food products, oversized bags, parcels, luggage, skateboards, bicycles, hoverboards, scooters, balloons, weapons, flammable liquids, cleats or wheeled shoes. You can use the bike racks outside BAMPFA on Center St. to lock your bicycle or scooter.
  • We reserve the right to inspect any bags or other parcels, and are not liable for any items left behind.

Code of conduct

  • In accordance with the UC Berkeley Principles of Community, visitors must treat each other and our staff with respect—no disorderly conduct, profanity or engaging in rude, inconsiderate, or abusive behavior.
  • Shirt and shoes are required.
  • Smoking and vaping are not permitted.
  • Blocking of areas and access, including entrances, admission lines, stairwells, gallery spaces, and access ramps, is prohibited.
  • Carrying or displaying placards, signs, or banners is not permitted .
  • Soliciting for commercial or charitable purposes is not permitted.
  • Only BAMPFA-produced advertisements, pamphlets, handbills, and flyers may be distributed or displayed on the premises.
  • Do not loiter, sleep, or participate in unwarranted assemblies, perform obscene or indecent acts, destroy, damage, or remove property.
  • Regardless of licenses or permits, absolutely no weapons of any kind are allowed on museum property.
  • Anyone refusing to follow verbal or written directions from BAMPFA staff will need to leave the premises.