Frequently Asked Questions

What are your hours of operation? 
Sculpture Garden: Open daily, 10 am–5:30 pm
Museum: Open daily, 10 am–5:30 pm
Plaza: Closed for renovation
Dolcezza Coffee and Gelato: Open daily, 10 am–5:30 pm

Do I need a pass to get in?
Admission to the Hirshhorn is walk-up and always free. Passes are not required.

Do you have Wifi?
Yes. Connect to our free wifi network, si-visitor.

What kind of gallery experiences do you offer?
Find our welcome desk located in the museum’s lobby to learn more about gallery experiences available during your visit such as free guided tours, kids’ programs, self-guides, and interactive pop-up carts. Visit hi.si.edu on your personal device during your visit for a self-guided experience.

Do you offer tours for community and school groups?
We currently offer guided tours for community groups during museum opening hours pending Gallery Guide availability. Visit Groups + Tours to request a guided tour.

What happens if I lose something at the Museum?
Any items found on the Hirshhorn campus are turned into the Museum’s security office and then brought to the central Smithsonian Lost and Found, located at Capital Gallery (600 Maryland Ave SW) at the end of the day. The items are all logged in, and sorted by museum. They are kept for 30 days. After that, they are donated to charity.
Still at the Hirshhorn? Check with the security officer at the entrance.
Already back at home? Email HirshhornExperience@si.edu for assistance.

How can I buy an exhibition catalogue or gifts in the Museum Shop?
While the Museum Shop is currently closed, all merchandise is also available by mail order. The Museum Shop has a large selection of books, exhibition catalogues, postcards, and posters on modern and contemporary art. The shop also carries CDs, tapes, artist-crafted jewelry, design items, and toys. Please contact the shop to discuss any merchandise available in the shop. Smithsonian Associates enjoy a 10% discount on Museum Shop items. Payments may be made with major credit cards or by check.

Hours: Currently closed
Phone: 202-357-1429
Fax: 202-357-3151
E-mail: Hirshhorn_museumstore@si.edu

What new safety measures are in place?

Can I sketch in the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden?
Yes, you may sketch with a pencil. Check out our latest sketching projects with Hirshhorn/DRAW! You may not use pens or set up an easel.

Does the Museum allow videotaping or photography?
Yes! Please feel free to record your visit or take pictures, without flash and for personal use only. Share with us @Hirshhorn and #atHirshhorn!
There may be occasional restrictions on photography in special exhibitions. Please check signs or ask a staff member for assistance.
To keep our visitors and collections safe, the Smithsonian prohibits the use of tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks in our museums and gardens.
For more information, please check Smithsonian’s visitor tips: https://www.si.edu/visit/security.
If you have questions about professional filming, photography, or photo shoots, please contact hmsgpress@si.edu.

If I am a member of the media/press can I obtain special permission to film or photograph at the Hirshhorn?
Yes, members of the media/press may request access to photograph or film the Sculpture Garden or building. Most film and photo shoots require supervision from a registrar and may also sometimes require permission from the director of communications, director of collections management, chief curator, and head registrar. All press inquiries should be directed to hmsgpress@si.edu. Please visit our Press Room for further information and updated press releases.

If I am a member of the public, can I obtain images for non-press related purposes?
The public can request images for non-press related purposes by contacting the Collections Care and Management Department at HMSGcollections@si.edu. Photo Service fees may be applied.
Please visit the Image Rights & Reproductions webpage for more information.

How can I obtain rights to reproduce an image in the collection for non-press related purposes like a catalog?
Please visit the Image Rights & Reproductions web-page for more information.

How do I arrange to see a work of art in your collection not on view?
We are scheduling Onsite Viewing Requests for as early as August 2022. at this time. Please submit new Research Request Form to hmsgcollections@si.edu to begin the request process. Visits are dependent on artwork accessibility and staff availability.

Where can I find information about past exhibitions if I am a member of the general public?
Past exhibitions arranged by date and title can be found by visiting the “Exhibitions” tab on the Hirshhorn’s website. The Hirshhorn’s Library also has many resources that can be used for researching past exhibitions.  Check here for library updates. Email HMSGLibMail@si.edu for more information.
Have questions regarding past exhibitions and image requests? Please contact HMSGCollections@si.edu.

Where can I get information about a specific work in your collection?
Many of our works are available to search online on the Hirshhorn website. Also visit the Smithsonian Institution Collections Search Center for additional information. The information is maintained and updated by the Hirshhorn staff, and new records are frequently added. The Museum collection archives and research team can assist researchers. Please contact HMSGcollections@si.edu for more information.

How can I find out if a particular work of art is currently on view at the Hirshhorn?
To determine whether or not a particular work of art is currently on view at the Hirshhorn, please visit Collection Works on View. Collection information on the site is updated on a regular basis.

How many objects are in the collection?
The Hirshhorn Museum holds about 11,500 artworks, including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photographs, film and videos, and installation-based works. In addition to Joseph H. Hirshhorn’s gifts and bequests, these holdings comprise collections acquired since 1974, as well as additional gifts and bequests of generous benefactors. The Hirshhorn continues to collect and strengthen its holdings of certain artists and media. Recently, the Hirshhorn began a new group called the Collections Acquisitions Council, a group committed to researching and acquiring contemporary works of art, sometimes by emerging artists. To learn more about how the Hirshhorn continues to collect the most exciting contemporary art in the nation, please visit our Press Room.

How do I request to borrow a work of art from the Museum’s collection?
The Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden maintains an active lending program with accredited national museums, international museums, and galleries for the purpose of public exhibition. Please limit your request to six objects. If you would like to borrow a work of art from the Hirshhorn collection, please send a formal request letter and an updated facility report for your institution at least 12 months prior to the opening of your exhibition. For questions, please contact HMSGcollections@si.edu.

Can I submit my work of art to the curatorial department?
The Hirshhorn does not accept unsolicited gifts of art.

How can I find the value of an artwork?
As a Federal organization, the Hirshhorn’s staff may not authenticate or make monetary appraisals or estimates on any works of art for any purpose. Reputable sources for this type of assistance include major auction houses such as Christie’s International and Sotheby’s, as well as the Art Dealers Association and the Appraisers Association of America.

Can the Hirshhorn restore my work of art?
No, but the Hirshhorn Conservation Lab may assist scholars with general questions about the physical condition or preservation of artworks. Our conservators’ primary responsibility is the physical well-being of works of art that are permanently or temporarily in the Museum’s care. Scholars may contact the Conservation Lab at HMSGcollections@si.edu with specific questions.

Did Joseph Hirshhorn pay for the museum?
No, the Hirshhorn Museum is primarily federally funded, as it is a part of the Smithsonian Institution. Joseph H. Hirshhorn (1899-1981) gave his extensive art collection to the nation in 1966 and later contributed $1 million to the Smithsonian Institution toward the construction of the Hirshhorn building, designed by Gordon Bunshaft.

Do I need to download an app to use Hirshhorn Eye?
You can access our in-gallery mobile guide, Hirshhorn Eye, and all of its exclusive content by visiting hi.si.edu on your phone’s browser.