Hirshhorn Plaza

Image Requests

The Hirshhorn offers high-resolution images of collection objects for scholarly, personal, or commercial uses.

  • SCHOLARLY: Includes academic publications such as catalogues and peer-reviewed articles or entries.
  • PERSONAL USE: Includes educational or research purposes only and may not be published or reproduced.
  • COMMERCIAL:  Includes, but not limited to, textbooks, for-profit publications, commercial television, video reproductions, and printed material available to a wider audience. The Hirshhorn works with Smithsonian Enterprises to write a contract and determine fees appropriate to the type of request. Photo Services Fees still apply and will be added to the Smithsonian Enterprises invoice. All Commercial Requests require 3 weeks in addition to our normal photo request timeline.

HOW DO I SUBMIT A REQUEST?

Please complete the Image Request Form and submit it along with any additional questions to HMSG-ImageRequests@si.edu.

TIMELINE

All photo requests require eight (8) weeks to process. Requests with shorter deadlines will be subject to a Rush Request fee per requested image.  

  • $100 for 1-week deadline
  • $75 for 2-week deadline 
  • $60 for 3-week deadline
  • $50 for 4-week deadline 
  • $40 for 5- to 6-week deadline  
  • $30 for 7-week deadline 

More information on Image Service fees will be provided after receiving Image Request Form. 

DELIVERABLES

All high-resolution images are sent at 300dpi in RGB color and are intended for color reproductions. Images are sent via electronic transfer with a 30-day download window.

Public Domain Works

As of February 25, 2020, the Smithsonian Institution has released millions of collection records and images into the public domain. The Hirshhorn joined this effort by identifying several hundred works of art as CC0, or No Rights Reserved. These works show the CC0 icon on our Collection Search webpage, and available images for these works are free to download for personal and academic purposes. Additional information about Hirshhorn’s Open Access efforts can be found on the Open Access webpage. More information about the Smithsonian’s Open Access efforts can be found on the Open Access website.

ARTIST RIGHTS

Certain works of art, as well as photographs of those works, may be protected by copyright, trademark, or related interests not owned by the Institution. The responsibility for ascertaining any other necessary permission remains with the applicant. Please see the Smithsonian Institution’s Terms of Use.

Please contact ARS, the United States’ major artist rights holder, for additional rights. 

PRESS REQUESTS

Please direct all press inquiries to HMSGPress@si.edu. Visit our Press Room for further information and updated press releases.

PAYMENT

An invoice will be provided outlining the Image Service fees due upon the processing of each request. We accept payment in US dollars by credit card, check, or wire transfer (with additional fees). All fees are nonrefundable. Fees are due prior to receiving permission and the image(s). 


RESEARCH REQUESTS

RESEARCH REQUESTS (ARCHIVAL RECORDS)

Researchers may request access to artwork archival records to support ongoing research. These records are maintained and updated by the Museum. Preliminary artwork information can be found on our website or the Smithsonian Collections website.   

Research Request Forms must be submitted to hmsgcollections@si.edu. Staff will scan documents and provide access to digitized records via a secure virtual delivery method. All requests require a minimum of eight (8) weeks to fulfill from form submission date.  

There is a $30 scanning fee per artwork requested. We accept payment in US dollars by credit card, check, or wire transfer (with additional fees). All fees are nonrefundable. Fees are due prior to receiving permission and the image(s). 

ONSITE VISITS (ARTWORK VIEWING)

Researchers, scholars, and visiting curators may request to view artworks.

We are accepting new requests for visits in July 2024 or later. We cannot accept requests for any time earlier than July 2024.

Research Request Formsmust be submitted to hmsgcollections@si.edu at least eight (8) weeks in advance of visit. Requestors must provide at least three date options to visit, and must sign agreement in the request form. Visits are dependent on artwork accessibility and staff availability.


CONTACT INFORMATION

Collections Care and Management Department
HMSGCollections@si.edu
(202)-633-2798

Image Requests

HMSG-ImageRequests@si.edu

Mailing Address

Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
MRC 355
P.O. Box 37012
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012