Visitor Conduct Policy
Basic Museum Policy Governing Public Use
The Spurlock Museum provides a welcoming and respectful environment to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone. You are asked to be responsible and courteous towards other visitors, Museum staff, and Museum facilities and their contents.
In certain cases, visitors who violate this policy may be subject to University-imposed discipline and/or be asked to leave the Museum.
The Spurlock Museum reserves the right to augment or authorize temporary suspension of any of these policies.
In addition to the following policies, please also follow verbal instructions given by any Museum staff.
Consumption of Food, Beverages, and Tobacco
Consumption of food, candy, gum and beverages is forbidden in all public areas of the Spurlock Museum. However, you may finish beverages in the lobby area before you move to other areas of the Museum.
In accordance with University policy, smoking is prohibited on all campus property at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, including the Spurlock Museum. Use of all other tobacco products (including electronic cigarettes and vaporizers) is also prohibited.
Animals
Animals are not permitted anywhere in the Spurlock Museum, with the exception of special assistance service animals.
Personal Property
For safety reasons, the Spurlock Museum reserves the right to restrict the following personal items from Museum galleries:
- packages
- backpacks
- briefcases
- large purses
- bags
- boxes
- umbrellas
- other items that pose a safety concern
Lockers are provided to check these items before entering Museum galleries. Lockers require a $.25 deposit to lock and remove the key. The deposit will be returned to the visitor upon re-opening the locker. Visitors are responsible for locker keys and may be charged for any lost locker keys. The Museum cannot be responsible for lost, damaged, or stolen personal items. Additionally, all personal items are subject to security inspection.
Photographing or Video Recording
No flash photography, video lighting, selfie sticks, tripods, or other equipment is allowed anywhere inside of the Spurlock Museum without consent of the Registrar, Assistant Registrar for Acquisitions, Registration Associate for Photography and Image Rights, or Assistant Director of Education.
Appropriate Clothing
Visitors are not permitted within the Museum without proper clothing, shirt, and/or shoes. Visitors wearing clothing deemed inappropriate will be denied access to the Museum or will be asked to leave the premises.
Museum Exhibits
The Museum encourages close inspection of objects on display, but you must maintain a minimum safe distance of 12 inches from all open-air exhibits. To protect our collections, please do not touch any objects unless signage indicates otherwise. Please do not touch, lean, climb, sit, or place items on the exhibit platforms, interpretive panels, display cases, or walls.
Disruptive Behavior
The Spurlock Museum does not permit behavior that is incompatible with the use of the Museum by its visitors or staff. Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to:
- soliciting,
- posting or distributing any sign, petition, notice, ad, pamphlet, or other print materials without Museum permission,
- creating a disturbance/excessive noise of any kind (such as yelling and audible music devices),
- using abusive language/profanity,
- sexual harassment or any overt sexual behavior,
- overt signs of substance abuse, including drunkenness,
- sleeping in or bringing bedding into any Museum facility,
- obstructing foot traffic,
- entering any non-public area without authorization,
- using bikes, skateboards, or skates anywhere in the Spurlock Museum, and
- fighting, running, pushing, shoving, jumping or any other rowdy behavior.
Criminal Behavior
The Spurlock Museum will notify law enforcement authorities of any violations of federal law, Public Acts or any Illinois Criminal Code offense.
Children
Children may not be left unattended for any period of time. Children must be closely supervised and/or accompanied by a responsible adult at all times. Carrying children on shoulders is prohibited.
Visitor Use of Museum Telephones
Visitors may use Museum telephones for emergencies only.