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Scheduling Your Visit to the
Smith College Museum of Art

Reservations are needed for self-guided group visits and guided tours.  They may be made by contacting the museum education department at 413.585.2779 or lchalfin@smith.edu.

Please provide the following information:

1. the number of people in your group

2. several possible dates

3. the time you plan to come

4. length of your intended visit

5. your address and phone number

6. the galleries and/or exhibitions you wish to see

7. self-guided or docent-led

If you would like to schedule a visit at a time other than regular hours, there is a charge to cover guard costs. Please call for approval and rates.

Guided Tours

Tours are free and are given by specially trained Smith students. We require 2 - 4 weeks advance notice to book your group.  Tours usually last about 45 minutes and cover 5-7 works of art in depth and/or look at a special exhibition. A total visit time of 1 to 1-1/2 hours is recommended so that groups can view works on their own after a tour.

• Tuesdays at 9:30, 10:30 am and 1 pm

• Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:00 and 11:00 am

• Middle/High School tours are available on Thursday and Friday mornings

• afternoon and weekend times are also possible with sufficient notice.

Group Size
We can accommodate up to 40 people on a guided tour (20 per tour guide); if your group is larger, please consider splitting the group and sending half to another destination, then switching.  Popular nearby destinations include the Botanic Garden at Smith College (413.585.2740) and art galleries downtown.

Museum Rules
Please let your group know the rules of the museum in advance: leave coats, large bags, and backpacks in the coatroom or lockers; and keep at least 6" away from the surface of all artwork. No food or gum is permitted in the galleries. Photography is allowed as long as the work photographed is owned by the Smith College Museum of Art (ask a guard or docent for assistance). Video/movie cameras are not allowed. We ask that you provide one adult chaperone for every ten students.

Directions
The museum is on Route 9 (Elm Street) just west of the center of Northampton, opposite Bedford Terrace. From Route 91 (either North or South) take exit 18 for Northampton. At the end of the ramp, turn left (north) onto Route 5 (Pleasant Street); go about 5 blocks to Route 9 (Main Street) and turn left (west). Go about 1/2 mile (through the center of town) and bear right (staying on Route 9) up a slight hill; the museum will be on your left.

Parking
You may drop visitors off in front of the museum. Bus parking is available on West Street/Route 66 near the tennis courts. For cars, street parking is available but allow 10-15 minutes to find a place. Parking is allowed in campus lots on evenings and weekends. Handicap accessible parking is available behind Hillyer Art Building.

Accessibility
The museum and restrooms are wheelchair accessible. To use the elevator, please ask one of the guards for assistance. Assistive listening devices and magnifying glasses are available at the front desk of the museum. Requests for sign language interpreters must be made 2 - 4 weeks in advance. The museum’s TTY is 413.585.2786.

Museum Hours (through December 22, 1999)
The museum is closed on Mondays and Thanksgiving (in addition, hours may vary around the holidays; please call to confirm).

MAIN GALLERIES (through December 22)
413.585.2760

Tuesday - Friday
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm

* Or by appointment