Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the museum’s hours?
A: LSU Museum of Art is open Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The museum is closed on Mondays and major holidays.
Q: How much does it cost to visit the museum?
A: Adult admission to LSU Museum of Art for ages 13 and older is $5. Children 12 and under are free. University students and museum members are free. Admission is always free on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and the first Sunday of every month.
Q: Where is the museum located?
A: LSU Museum of Art is located on the fifth floor of the Shaw Center for the Arts on Lafayette Street in downtown Baton Rouge.
Q: Do you allow sketching in the museum?
A: The LSU Museum of Art welcomes sketching in its permanent collection galleries during regular museum hours. Due to high volume, the galleries are not available for sketching on Free First Sundays, and may be restricted during periods of high attendance.
You may use the following materials:
Pencils only.
Drawing pads and sketch boards up to 14 x 17 inches.
Stools supplied by the museum, which may be requested at the fifth-floor desk.
To protect the artwork, the following activities are not allowed:
The use of ballpoint pens, ink, markers, fountain pens, watercolors and other paints, crayons, colored pencil, charcoal and pastel. Any other media not mentioned must be approved in advance by the Assistant Director for Collections Management.
The use of pointers, including drawing pencils used as pointers.
Three-dimensional copying.
The use of chairs or stools not supplied by the museum and easels, which may block movement and create safety hazards.
The use of walls, pedestals or artwork for support for sketching.
Please limit sketching to locations that do not obstruct an entrance or exit; that do not compromise the safety or security of the artwork and/or other museum visitors; and that do not obstruct the view of the artwork.
Sketching in certain galleries may be restricted. Please check with the attendant at the 5th-floor desk.
Class sketching: Faculty members who assign sketching as a class assignment must notify the Assistant Director for Collections Management in advance. Classes or groups of students must schedule in advance with the Assistant Director for Collections Management, who will ensure that there is not conflict with previously scheduled groups, tours, or activities. Students who come to sketch individually must follow the general rules for sketching in the gallery. All students working on class assignments, whether individually or in groups, must sign in at the 5th floor desk.
Faculty may request that specific works of art in storage be made available for sketching in the Museum’s third-floor Turner Gallery. All such requests must be made in writing or via email to the Assistant Director for Collections Management, at least three weeks in advance. Only trained and authorized Museum staff members will be permitted to handle the art. The Museum reserves the right to deny specific requests or restrict access, depending on the availability of the artwork, staff, or the Turner Gallery, which is often reserved for other uses, such as rentals and meetings. Works of art may not be removed from display on the 5th floor for display in the Turner Gallery for class projects. Access to the Turner Gallery is limited to Monday through Friday, 9:30 to 4:00 PM.
Q: Do you allow photography in the museum?
Q: Can I donate works of art to the museum?
A: The LSU Museum of Art is always eager to talk with private donors and collectors about the gift of museum-quality works of art. Giving a work of art to the LSU Museum of Art ensures that your cherished work of art will receive the best possible care and will be enjoyed by the public.
The LSU Museum of Art is actively searching for outstanding examples of:
Southern silver and furniture
Art Deco and Art Nouveau silver and glass
Newcomb metalwork and textiles
Artwork by significant southern and Louisiana artists
Please do not bring or send original art to the Museum. If you would like to donate a work of art to the LSU Museum of Art, please send an email to artmuseum@lsu.edu Be sure to include detailed information about the object (artist, title, date, medium, dimensions) and a photo of the work. As much as we would love to accept all donations, our space is limited and not all gifts fit within our scope and mission. The LSU Museum of Art reserves the right to refuse gifts or bequests.
Q: Can you tell me the value of my artwork?
A: Donees, staff and their relations are prohibited by the IRS from doing appraisals of items being donated to their respective institutions. The LSU Museum of Art and museum staff are prohibited from offering valuations, appraisals or authentications for works of art. Appraisals and authentication should be carried out by a certified appraiser or reputable auction house.
You may want to find an appraiser to determine the value of your artwork. Appraisers are trained specialists who work for a fee. They evaluate your piece and give you a written statement of its value. Although the following organizations do not provide appraisals themselves, they each publish a directory of their members. Always seek an appraiser with an expertise in the type of artwork you own. Appraisers listed in these directories can be found by state and city by clicking any of the links below.
American Society of Appraisers
Appraisers Association of America