Accessibility
The Portland Museum of Art seeks to create an inclusive space that champions open expression and makes art accessible to all. Please call us at (207) 775-6148, option 1 or email rsvp@portlandmuseum.org for specific questions regarding accessibility.
Access to the PMA is Barrier-Free
Parking and drop-off spaces are located on Free Street, directly in the front of the museum. The wheelchair accessible ramp is located in the front of the building at the High Street side of the building. The entrance of the building has ADA accessible front doors.
There is an elevator in the Charles Shipman Payson Building that allows access to all floors. A lift is available in the Sweat Memorial Galleries to access the McLellan House.
Accessible Parking
Registrant vehicles bearing disability plates or placards are exempt from meter fare and are entitled to park for twice the posted time limit at a meter or time zone.
The PMA does not have public parking. Paid parking garages are located just blocks away from the PMA, on High, Free, and Spring streets. Spring Street garage is located at 45 Spring Street ($3 per hour). The Holiday Inn By the Bay parking lot is located at 40 Spring Street ($2.75 per hour). City street parking is $2 per hour and FREE after 6 p.m. and all-day Sunday. Click here for more information about public parking, electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle parking, and more.
Free Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Friends, family members, or attendants may accompany visitors who use wheelchairs. If you would like to reserve a wheelchair, please call in advance of your visit, (207) 775-6148, option 1.
Low Vision
Labels and information from select exhibitions are available as a large format printouts in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic at the Konkel Family Welcome Center.
The PMA also offers an audio guide to the collection with portions available in French. All audio content is fully transcribed and the website for the audio guide is screen-reader friendly.
Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Live ASL interpretation is available for most online programming, and can be provided upon request for visits, tours, and in person programming.
Captioning is available for all online programming and select videos on the PMA Vimeo.
The PMAGuide is fully transcribed and available in English and French.
Assisted listening devices are available to use for PMA Film screenings. Inquire at the Konkel Family Welcome Center.
For more information or to make a request, please email tours@portlandmuseum.org or call (207) 699-4985.
Multilingual Resources
Labels and information from select exhibitions are available in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic. Links and printouts can be found at the Konkel Family Welcome Center. Digital versions of the PMA map are available in Arabic, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Somali, and Chinese.
Free Admission Opportunities
Admission is FREE to all every Friday from 4-8 p.m., which is made possible by the generous support of Cyrus Hagge and Anne and Vince Oliviero. Foundation support provided by: Bangor Savings Bank Foundation, Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, Inc. Corporate support provided by: Evergreen Credit Union, L.L. Bean, Inc., The Via Agency. Free Fridays are supported in part by Art for All.
Everyone age 21 and under is always free, through the generosity of Susie Konkel.
The PMA is proud to participate in Museums on Us, a program providing Bank of America and Merrill Lynch credit and debit card holders free museum admission on the first full weekend of every month.
The PMA is a Blue Star Museums member, offering free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve. (Program begins Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May, and ends on Labor Day.)
The PMA participates in Museums for All, offering free admission to those who have SNAP benefits/EBT card.
The PMA currently belongs to The North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, Museum Alliance Reciprocal Program (MARP), and Art Museum Reciprocal Network (AMRN). Find participating museums here.
Public Restrooms
Restrooms are available on the Lower Ground Floor of the Charles Shipman Payson building, which have baby-changing stations. An ADA-accessible, gender-neutral restroom is available in the corridor of the McLellan House.
Free Coatroom and Lockers
The coatroom is located next to the Konkel Family Welcome Center in the Selma Wolf Black Great Hall. Self-check lockers are available. Bags over 11 x 15 inches, packages, umbrellas, and backpacks must be checked.
Gallery Seating
Benches are available in several galleries. Free, lightweight gallery stools are available in the coatroom to take around the museum during your visit on a first-come, first-served basis. Please return stools when you are finished with them.
Free Strollers
There are a limited number of free strollers available in the coatroom to use during your visit. Click here for more information about activities and amenities for families.
Service Animal Policy
The PMA welcomes visitors accompanied by service animals.
Additional Resources
WiFi
Connect to the PMA’s WiFi during your visit. The network is PMAPublic and the password is jointoday.
Lost and Found
Inquire at the Security Kiosk in the Selma Wolf Black Great Hall or call (207) 775-6148, option 1.
First Aid
If you require first aid during your visit, inform the nearest Gallery Ambassador or check in with the Security Officer at the kiosk in the Selma Wolf Black Great Hall.
Photography Policy
We welcome visitors to take photographs for personal use. Please do not use flash photography or tripods.
There are select artworks and exhibitions where photography may be limited. These are indicated by the symbol of a camera with a strike through it on some labels. Thank you for your cooperation in observing these restrictions.
Please note: While visiting the PMA, you may be photographed or filmed. The footage may be used in promotional materials, including advertisements, brochures, social media, and on portlandmuseum.org.
Sketching Policy
All works of art in the galleries may be sketched for non-commercial purposes, providing these rules are followed:
Individuals wishing to sketch must first obtain permission from the Security Desk, located by the Konkel Family Welcome Center, to be certain they will not obstruct the flow of traffic. Should a Security Officer determine the galleries are too busy, sketching will not be permitted. A reasonable distance must be maintained from the work to allow a clear view for others. Please refrain from pointing at an artwork using your pencil or any other object, and do not touch the artwork for any reason.
Only pencil may be used to sketch.
Size of sketchpad may not exceed 16 x 20 inches.
No portfolios, containers, or bags may be taken into the galleries.
After sketching in the galleries, individuals should expect to have their sketchpads and drawing supplies searched by the Security Office before they leave the building.
Groups and classes must make appointments for sketching in advance through Learning and Community Collaboration by emailing tours@portlandmuseum.org or calling (207) 699-4985.