Frequently Asked Questions

For the safety of the artworks, no food or drink is permitted in the galleries. Bags smaller than 11" x 15" x 6” are permitted in the galleries. Bags larger than 11" x 15" x 6”, and all backpacks, briefcases, and umbrellas are not permitted in museum galleries. No plant or other organic material is allowed in the galleries. There are a limited number of self-check lockers available for use on a first-come-first-served basis. Please leave all large bags at home. All weapons including concealed firearms are strictly prohibited on museum property, regardless of licenses or permits. If you have any questions, please contact Visitor Services at (206) 622-9250.

Frye in Focus tours are available Saturdays and Sundays at 1 pm, meeting in the Rotunda. These short-form, 45-minute tours focus on a single exhibition or grouping of works. Free. 

Private Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday between 11 am and 4 pm at an additional cost of $30 for members and $50 for non-members. At least three weeks’ advanced notice is required to schedule a private tour. Each private tour can accommodate up to 15 people and can be customized to meet the group’s needs.  

Group Visits are available Wednesday through Sunday between 11 am and 4 pm year-round. Two business days’ advanced notice is required for group visits. These are self-directed museum visits for organized groups of 6 or more people. 

The museum also offers guided tours and other programs for schools.  

Paid third-party tours are not permitted. 

Private Tours are available Wednesday through Sunday between 11 am and 4 pm at an additional cost of $30 for members and $50 for non-members. At least three weeks’ advanced notice is required to schedule a private tour. Each private tour can accommodate up to 15 people and can be customized to meet the group’s needs.  

Group Visits are available Wednesday through Sunday between 11 am and 4 pm year-round. Two business days’ advanced notice is required for group visits. These are self-directed museum visits for organized groups of 6 or more people. 

Paid third-party tours are not permitted. 

MariPili at Café Frieda may accommodate special event bookings for large parties; please contact the Special Events Coordinator to inquire, a minimum of 1 week advance notice is requested.

Visitors are encouraged to engage respectfully with art presented at the Frye. To avoid harming the collections and exhibitions, please do not touch any artworks unless there is signage clearly indicating that the artwork is meant to be handled. Visitors are asked to keep 2 feet—approximately an arms length—distance from artworks. Paintings and other works of art are fragile and the natural oils on skin can damage their surface.

We encourage art lovers of all ages to visit the Frye! Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Strollers are permitted in the galleries, but we ask that you do not leave them unattended and use caution around artworks. We ask that large diaper bags be left at home or stored in a stroller during your visit. There are also a limited number of self-check lockers available on a first-come-first-served basis. Please note that no food or drink is permitted in the galleries. Diaper changing stations are located in the restrooms in the Education Wing.

Be sure to check out our Frye Families programs and resources! 

Handheld, still photography is allowed in most areas of the museum for personal, non-commercial use. However, photo shoots for wedding/engagement/graduation portraits or the like are not permitted. Certain temporary exhibitions may also prohibit photography or video; there will be signage if photography is not allowed, as well as Museum Staff available to answer any questions. Please note, the use of flash photography, tripods, and monopods are not permitted.

Press, commercial, and educational photography and film requests must be approved at least 5 days in advance by contacting the Frye Art Museum Communications Department at press@fryemuseum.org.

The Frye Art Museum may photograph, film, or videotape visitors for educational and promotional purposes. Visitation is implied consent for the use of the visitor’s likeness, voice, or video image for marketing purposes.

The Frye galleries provide an exceptional setting for artists and visitors to sketch and copy works of art. We welcome all to sketch in the museum galleries, however advance permission is required for groups of three or more artists. To make a request for permission to sketch in the galleries, please email education@fryemuseum.org or call 206 432 8241 two weeks prior to intended date of visit.

We request that visitors follow these guidelines for copying works of art:

• It is prohibited to copy works of art on loan to the Frye Art Museum and works of art restricted by copyright. No copyist or other person may offer any copy for sale on the premises of the museum, nor may any person solicit commissions or employment to copy while on museum property. The copyist must never make any representation, explicit or implicit, that the copy is anything more than a reproduction by the copyist of a work of art.
• Portfolios, containers, and large bags are not permitted in the galleries.
• No additional equipment is permitted (i.e. lights, ladders, extension cords, etc.).
• Due care must be taken to prevent blocking aisles and doorways. Artists should not obstruct the view of any works of art.
• Graphite pencils or colored pencils are allowed for sketching. Liquids, oils, or anything that gives off dust such as pastels or charcoal are not allowed. No inks or waxes are permitted.
• Use of fixatives and sprays is prohibited.
• All sketching must be done at least four feet away from objects to allow other visitors to view the artwork.
• Size of sketchpad may not exceed 9 x 12 inches.
• Sketching while sitting on the floor or a portable stool (see Visitor Services Representative at front desk to request) is permitted. Easels are not permitted. If galleries are crowded, museum staff may ask visitors to stop sketching or writing.
• Sketching artists may work any time the museum is open but should be packed up and ready to exit 10 minutes before closing.
• Museum staff may ask that work be discontinued if a problem is perceived or if galleries become crowded with other visitors.
• The museum is unable to accommodate large groups and classes, due to limited space in galleries.
• In the event of an accident, a Security staff member must be contacted immediately so that an incident report may be prepared and a Collections staff member is notified. Artists are responsible for any damage to works of art or building surfaces.
• A museum employee will inspect the area for any damage and to ensure that it is cleaned before the artist leaves.

In order to protect artworks, food and drinks are not allowed in the museum galleries. Outside food and beverages may be consumed in the courtyard, which is open to visitors during museum hours. Only sealed, enclosed, or securely covered containers are permitted for transport to/from the courtyard via museum hallways—please do not transport any food or beverage through the galleries. Or, join us for lunch or espresso at MariPili at Café Frieda Wednesday–Sunday from 11 am–4 pm. Please note, no outside food or beverages may be consumed in the café. 

Yes! To accommodate immunocompromised individuals and those who prefer to visit when all guests and staff are required to mask, we offer mask-required hours on the first Sunday of the month from 11 am–1 pm. During mask-required hours, all guests ages 3+ will be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status. Negative test results may not be provided in lieu of masking.

Service animals are the only animals allowed in the museum. The Frye adheres to all Washington State laws and policies regarding service animals.

The Frye Art Museum is located in Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood, close to downtown and Capitol Hill. There are many public transportation options, as well as local parking garages and street parking in the surrounding blocks. Plan your visit.