Collection Viewings

As an academic art museum, the UAMA is committed to helping students, faculty, researchers, and the community access and learn with the incredible objects in the permanent collections.

The Museum and the Archive of Visual Arts are repositories of primary resources that can be used for research, study, inspiration, object-based learning, and discussion. The Museum will make every effort to provide access to objects currently not on view to faculty, students, and researchers both on- and off-campus.

Faculty and instructors can request a guided viewing for their classes to explore objects relating to course topics. Individuals can also request to view objects from the collection for personal research and exploration.

To schedule a viewing of objects in the collection, please contact the Museum staff at artmuseum@email.arizona.edu. Individuals may also contact Registrar Kristen Schmidt, kristen@arizona.edu, for assistance. Classes or groups should contact Willa Ahlschwede, willa@arizona.edu.

Protocol for Collections Access

• For classes and groups, we can host a maximum of 20 people in the collection viewing classroom. We may be able to host larger groups by rotating between galleries and classroom, or arranging multiple visits.
• To select the objects for your visit, access the Museum’s collection online. A search can be made by keyword, artist, title, date, etc. UAMA staff can also help select artworks around a certain topic or theme.
• A viewing will consist of a maximum of 20 objects. Not all objects are guaranteed to be available, so your request may include more than 20 objects from which a selection may be made.
• Requests for viewing artwork should be made at least three weeks in advance of the visit. Please be prepared to offer several choices of date/time for your visit.
• All collections viewings will occur in the classroom/collaborative learning space unless that room is unavailable. The viewing of some objects, due to their size or nature, may occur in other museum galleries designated by museum staff. Objects already on exhibition will remain in the galleries.
• A Museum staff member must be present for collections viewings. Museum educators are also available to help facilitate your viewing session, which you should indicate when making your request.

Please remember and remind your group of the following:

• Please use only pencils as writing implements.
• Backpacks, large purses, water bottles, and any food items should be stored in the lockers and cubbies in the lobby. Chewing gum is not allowed during viewings.
• Photography is allowed with the flash turned off.
• Please refrain from leaning on the walls or furniture where objects are displayed. Clipboards are available at the front desk.
• Please secure all loose clothing, keys, jewelry, and glasses when viewing objects.
• Only the Museum staff is authorized to handle the objects or adjust the room lighting.