Plan Your Visit

Tips for a great visit

We look forward to your visit. For a great experience, we've put together a few tips:

Tip 1: Questions?
Please ask our staff at the admissions desk or in the art galleries.

Tip 2: Accessibility equipment for use in the galleries is available at the admissions desk.

Tip 3: Please do not touch the artwork.

Tip 4: Food and drink are available in the Museum Café.
Please consume outside of the galleries.

Drop-in Docent-led Public Tours

All visitors are welcome to drop in on these tours, which meet in the Museum lobby. Free Docent-led public tours of exhibitions are offered Thursday at 5pm and Friday–Sunday at 1 and 2:30pm.

Docent-led Group Tours

To arrange a special time for an adult group tour of 10 or more, please call 408.291.5393 at least three weeks in advance.

Museum Map

Review our floor layout or download a copy below.

Art Learning Labs

Look for Art Learning Labs filled with creative exploration and art-making activities in the galleries!

Art Learning Lab | Community Constellation

The Art Learning Lab Community Constellation offers a moment of pause and reflection as SJMA visitors participate in our interactive poetry space! Join this creative activity by writing a poem inspired by the exhibition Kambui Olujimi: North Star. Your words can express emotions, thoughts, or reflections—about yourself, others, and the artwork on view.

Art Learning Lab Journal

Upon entry, request an Art Lab Journal featuring activities for an interactive experience inside the exhibitions.

Koret Gallery: Art Learning Lab

Art Learning Lab is a dedicated exhibition space inspired by Sowing Creativity, the Museum’s award-winning STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) education program. Learn more at our Koret Gallery: Art Learning Lab page.

Admissions Desk Art Supplies

We also have paper, pencils, and clipboards available for your use. Just ask about these supplies at the admissions desk.

Group Visits

Any group of 10 or more is considered a group tour. Read about group tours below:

Adult Group Visits

Private group tours for 10 or more participants must be booked at least six weeks in advance and are charged at a flat rate. Unscheduled drop-in groups may be asked to visit at another time due to Museum security and capacity policies. For questions regarding our group tour policy please visit sjmusart.org/education or contact our group tour and family programs manager at education@sjmusart.org.

Book a private group visit Book a college group visit

SJMA is pleased to offer free individual admission for youth 17 years and under, college students, and teachers with valid ID.

Please consume food and drinks before entering the Museum. No outside food or beverages are permitted in the Café. Thank you!

College and University

Any group of 10 or more college students must book a group tour. College group visits, whether guided or self-guided, must be booked three weeks in advance and are subject to availability.

Visit the College and University page to learn more and to book a college group visit.

K–12 School Tours

Now available online or in-person!

Is photography permitted in the Museum?

Visitors are permitted to take non-flash photography in certain exhibition spaces.
The Museum Map (above) indicates exhibition spaces where photography is allowed (highlighted in green) and areas where it is not allowed (highlighted in orange).
Photos of the Museum’s architecture and public spaces such as the lobby and café are also permitted.
Please comply with any posted signs or Museum staff instructions regarding photography.
Professional equipment such as tripods, external lighting, and large detachable lenses are not permitted.

Learn more about our photography policy

Reproduction of works of art in print or in digital media (including audio and video), beyond reasonable sharing via personal social media, is not permitted.

Under no circumstances may photos of works of art taken at SJMA be sold in any format, including digital format, without express written permission of the copyright holder (which may include the artist, artist’s heirs, or other parties).

Visitor Photo Policy

San José Museum of Art (SJMA) may photograph, film, or videotape visitors for educational and promotional purposes. By visiting SJMA, you consent to the use of your likeness, voice, or video image for these purposes.