Rights and Permissions
Open today 10 am – 5 pm
The Museum's vast and varied collections are in active service to the world. We welcome and encourage the use of our collections in films, publications, and more.
To obtain publication-quality photographs and illustrations of Museum objects and the permission to publish photographs and illustrations, please email the Museum Archives at
To obtain permission to publish excerpts from a manuscript or book publication, or Expedition Magazine, email the publications department at
To obtain permission to publish excerpts from archival material, including the Museum Journal and the Museum Bulletin, email the Museum Archives at
Publishing or sharing Penn Museum images and other media from this site for non-profit educational use does not require permission. This excludes the use of high-resolution or publication-quality files, which can be requested as described above under Rights/Reproductions for Publication. Any modifications, distortions, additions to Penn Museum content must be identified as such.
Publishing or sharing Penn Museum images and other media from this site for personal non-commercial use does not require permission. Media must include the credit line: "Object [insert object number(s)]. Courtesy of the Penn Museum." Please include a link to https://www.penn.museum. This excludes the use of high-resolution or publication-quality files, which can be requested as described above under Rights/Reproductions for Publication. Any modifications, distortions, additions to Penn Museum content must be identified as such.
To request permission to photograph and/or illustrate objects in the Museum’s collection for research purposes, please download the Photography/Illustration Permission Form and email it to
By completing this form, you are assigning copyright to these photographs and illustrations to the Penn Museum unless otherwise specified. These photographs and illustrations may only be used for research purposes (including public presentations) and are not eligible for further reproduction, distribution, exhibition, or publication.
By completing this form, you also agree to provide a copy of your photographs and illustrations to the Penn Museum before the end of your research visit.
Download FormTo inquire about filming for your school project, please contact the Learning Programs Department by calling 215.746.6774 to obtain approval in advance.
Film and photography companies interested in shooting at the Penn Museum for educational or commercial purposes should contact the Public Relations Department by calling 215.898.2956 or emailing
Videotaping with small, personal recording devices is allowed for non-commercial use. Visitors may also shoot photographs in the Museum galleries, except where otherwise posted. To protect visitors and objects, the Penn Museum prohibits the use of tripods, monopods, or selfie sticks in the Museum and gardens. No unauthorized video or photographic images of the interior of the Museum or the artifacts within may be sold without written approval from the Museum.
For journalists, freelance writers and bloggers reporting on Penn Museum programs or research, the Public Relations Department can provide high resolution and Web-ready images of the Museum, research projects around the world, and event publicity shots. To request images, email the Public Relations Department at