Regulations_Governing_the_NGA_Building___Grounds.pdf

REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

These regulations are issued under the authority of 40 U.S.C. §193n-193x.

1. GENERAL. These regulations apply to all buildings and grounds of the National Gallery of Art, as defined in 40 U.S.C.

§193v(2), and to all persons entering in or on such buildings and grounds, hereinafter referred to as the premises. All authorizations and orders hereunder are valid only if made in writing by the Administrator or by someone delegated in writing by the Administrator to do so.

2. ACCESS TO BUILDINGS. Except as otherwise ordered, National Gallery of Art buildings shall be closed to the public after normal visiting hours. Such buildings, or portions thereof, shall also be closed to the public in emergency situations and at such other times as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of business. Whenever the buildings are closed to the public for any reason, visitors will immediately leave the premises upon being requested by a guard or other authorized individual to do

so. Admission to the buildings during periods when they are closed to the public will be limited to authorized individuals who will be required to register and identify themselves when requested by a guard or other authorized individual.

3. PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY. It is prohibited willfully to destroy, deface or damage property on the premises or to remove from the premises property or any part thereof unless specifically authorized. Touching of any work of art is forbidden unless specifically authorized. Parcels, portfolios, bags and containers of any kind may be required to be opened and the contents identified prior to their being allowed to enter or leave the premises. A properly completed property pass signed by an authorized official of the National Gallery of Art may be required prior to the removal of any property from the premises.

4. CONFORMITY WITH SIGNS AND EMERGENCY

DIRECTIONS. Persons in or on the premises shall comply with official signs of a prohibitory or directory nature and with the directions of authorized individuals.

5. NUISANCES. The following are prohibited: the use of loud, abusive, or otherwise improper language; unwarranted loitering, sleeping or assembly; the creation of any hazard to persons or things; improper disposal of rubbish; spitting; prurient prying; the commission of any obscene or indecent act, or any other unseemly or disorderly conduct on the premises; throwing articles of any kind from, at or within a building; and climbing upon any part of a building or work of art.

6. GAMBLING. Participating in games for money or other gain or profit or the operation of gambling devices, the conduct of a lottery or pool, or the selling or purchasing of numbers tickets in or on the premises is prohibited.

7. INTOXICATING BEVERAGES AND CONTROLLED

SUBSTANCES. Entering the premises or the operating of a motor vehicle thereon by a person under the influence of any intoxicating beverage, narcotic drug or other controlled substance, or the unauthorized introduction or use of such substance in or on the premises is prohibited. The introduction or the consumption of intoxicating beverages on the premises is prohibited, except as specifically authorized.

8. SMOKING. Smoking on the premises is prohibited, except as specifically authorized.

9. SOLICITING, VENDING, DEBT COLLECTION AND

DISTRIBUTION OF HANDBILLS. The soliciting of alms and contributions, commercial soliciting and vending of all kinds, the display or distribution of commercial advertising or the collection of private debts in or on the premises is prohibited. This rule does not apply to national or local fund drives for welfare, health and other purposes sponsored or authorized by the National Gallery of Art or to personal notices posted by employees on authorized bulletin boards. Unauthorized distribution of material, such as pamphlets, handbills and flyers, is prohibited.

10. PLACARDS, SIGNS, BANNERS AND FLAGS. The displaying or carrying of placards, signs, banners or flags is prohibited unless officially authorized, except for the wearing of material which does not pose a potential hazard to persons, property or exhibits.

11. DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS. Dogs and other animals, except seeing eye dogs, other guide dogs and animals used to guide or assist persons with disabilities, shall not be brought upon the premises for other than authorized official purposes.

12. PHOTOGRAPHY, FILMING AND VIDEOTAPING.

Photography, filming and videotaping is prohibited on the premises, except as officially authorized or for personal, non-commercial use with hand-held equipment.

13. ITEMS TO BE CHECKED. Oversized objects, such as briefcases, suitcases, etc., and umbrellas, canes (not needed to assist in walking), and other objects capable of inflicting damage to property or exhibits may be required to be checked in the checking facilities provided.

14. VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC. Drivers of all vehicles in or on the premises shall drive in a careful and safe manner at all times and shall comply with the signals and directions of the guards and traffic and parking signs and such other directives as may be posted from time to time. The blocking of entrances, driveways, walks, loading platforms or fire hydrants on the premises is prohibited. Parking without authority or parking in unauthorized locations or in locations reserved for other persons or contrary to the direction of posted signs is prohibited.

15. WEAPONS AND EXPLOSIVES. No person while on the premises shall carry firearms, other dangerous and deadly weapons, ammunition, explosives or incendiary devices (or any part thereof), either openly or concealed, except as authorized for official purposes.

16. NONDISCRIMINATION. These regulations will be applied without discrimination as to race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual preference or disability.

17. PENALTIES. 40 U.S.C., §193(s) provides: “Whoever violates any provision of sections 193o-193q of this title or any regulation prescribed under section 193r of this title, shall be fined not more than $100 or imprisoned not more than sixty days, or both, prosecution for such offenses to be had in the Superior Courts of the District of Columbia, upon information by the United States attorney or any of his assistants: Provided that in any case where, in the commission of such offense, property is damaged in an amount exceeding $100 the amount of the fine for the offense may be not more than $5,000, the period of imprisonment for the offense may be not more than five years and prosecution shall be had in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by indictment, or if the defendant, after he has been advised of the nature of the charge and his rights, waives in open court prosecution by indictment, by information by the United States attorney or any of his assistants.” The National Gallery of Art reserves the right to take such other actions to enforce these regulations as may be necessary and appropriate under the circumstances.

rev. April 1994