The Museum understands the importance, especially for art students, of copying works by master artists as an educational experience and encourages artists to include this practice in their training. In order to insure the safety of our works of art, the artists, and museum visitors, the IMA has established the following guidelines for copying works of art in the galleries.

Some of these guidelines can be altered for an IMA class if the appropriate departments are notified three weeks prior to the class taking place, and if a member of the IMA Audience Engagement Department is present in the gallery with the class.

Guidelines and Procedures

1. Please complete the Request for Permission Form (below) and return to the contact provided at least one month in advance of the desired date. Be sure to include all information requested.
2. A staff member from the Audience Engagement Department will contact the appropriate curator and the collections registrar to confirm that the artwork will be in the gallery, that there are no restrictions pertaining to gallery usage or outside contracts. Education will notify the artist of the Museum’s response (approval or denial).
3. Work on the piece must be done when the IMA is open to the public (see museum hours).
4. Artists are welcome to copy works in the Museum permanent collection. However, works exhibited in the galleries in which the artist is still living cannot be copied for any reason (Labels installed near the works will indicate if the artist is deceased). In addition, no works on long or short term loan or works in temporary exhibitions are permitted to be copied.
5. The execution of the drawing work must be done in a manner that will not endanger any of the works of art located in the gallery. The artist must not obstruct other visitors from viewing works of art.
6. Copies cannot be made for commercial purposes. Copies can only be created for study and educational reasons.
7. The artist must sign-in at the reception desk located on the ground level of the IMA and receive a badge. The badge must be worn at all times while the artist is working in an IMA gallery. The artist must also keep a copy of the signed request form to indicate to Security that the artist has permission to copy in the galleries.
8. The canvas or panel used must be a different size than the work he or she wishes to copy by the artist and must be marked on the back side by Security prior to entering the galleries. This will indicate to Security that the work may be removed from the gallery.
9. The IMA can supply an easel and chair or stool upon request. Please contact the Audience Engagement Department for pick-up and return of easels, chairs or stools. No easels or stools can be used without prior approval from the IMA Audience Engagement Department. (See contact information on the request form) The set-up of the easel, chair or stool must be placed in a position that does not block visitor movement or viewing in the gallery and must be at least four feet from any work of art including the work being copied. If the artist supplies the easel, it must be approved by the IMA’s Conservation Department.
10. There is limited space for unfinished works to be stored at the IMA overnight. This service is available for a total of five days (excluding Mondays when the IMA is closed). Any works left at the IMA beyond five days or appearing to be abandoned by the owner will be disposed of by staff from the Audience Engagement Department.
11. The Museum will not be responsible for damage or loss of works created in the IMA galleries. Although every effort will be made to protect works of art, they are unlikely to be placed in a locked storage area or classroom due to the public nature of these spaces. This will allow the artist to work on the piece at their discretion. However, signing the agreement indicates that the artist or guest does not hold the IMA liable for theft or damage to their artwork that is left in a classroom or storage area. Artists leave work at their own risk.
    

Request for Permission Form

Specifications for Wet Materials (Oil, Acrylic, Watercolor or Dry Pastels)

1. Paintings must be done by brush or palette knife only (no sprays).
2. The amount of solvent will be limited to 4 oz. (only the amount needed to mix paints out on the palette) and must be in a closed container.
3. A drop cloth (a fabric cloth – no plastic), provided by the artist, must be placed beneath the easel and chair or stool.

Specifications for Dry Materials (Pencil, Conte Crayon)

1. Drawings should be made in pencil, conte’ crayon only.
2. The artist must have a firm board or sketch pad as a support for the paper. The size of this board or pad can be no larger than 18” x 24”.
3. Drawings cannot have any fixative applied while in the museum galleries. However, arrangements can be made to put fixative on works in the art labs with appropriate ventilation.