A list of frequently asked questions about the Frist.
- Will I enjoy the Frist Art Museum if I don’t know anything about art?
- May children come to the Frist Art Museum? Will they have fun?
- What is the etiquette at the museum? What can I take or NOT take into the galleries?
- How do I become a member of the Frist Art Museum?
- How should I dress when I come to the Frist Art Museum?
- Where can I park?
- What about accessible, barrier-free entry for people in wheelchairs?
- May I take a stroller into the galleries?
- May I take photos at the Frist Art Museum?
- Why can’t I touch the art?
- What happens if I get too close to the art?
- Why can’t I take my drink into the galleries?
- What’s wrong with backpacks and large bags?
- How can I volunteer at the Frist Art Museum?
- How do I become a docent?
- How can I find out about free days at the Frist Art Museum?
- I inherited a painting that’s been in the family for quite some time. Can you tell me what it is worth?
- How can I donate art to the Frist Art Museum?
- Where should I go to learn more about art?
- How do I get art cleaned or repaired?
- What’s going on with the giant roses?
Will I enjoy the Frist if I don’t know anything about art?
Yes! The Frist Art Museum was conceived as a place for people of all ages, backgrounds, and levels of knowledge to learn about art and deepen their awareness of its role in the world around us. We hope that by coming to the Frist Art Museum, people will view their world in new ways and gain a deeper understanding of how artistic expression and art (in all its forms) enrich our lives every day, from the clothes we wear to the vehicles we ride and the tools we use. Many of our programs are free, and tours and activities that take place in the galleries are free with the purchase of a ticket.
May children come to the Frist? Will they have fun?
Yes! We offer programs and resources designed specifically for children and families. What’s more, admission for visitors ages 18 and younger is always FREE. (Note that even when admission is free, an admission sticker is still required for entry into the galleries.) Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult.
The Frist Art Museum’s Martin ArtQuest® Gallery is a favorite place for all ages! MAQ is colorful and alive with art-making and other activities designed to help our visitors make direct connections with exhibitions in the galleries. It’s a fun and exciting place for families to visit. The stations are designed to let everyone engage in learning at a comfortable level and pace. There are always staff members and volunteers on hand to answer questions and help. All the activities in MAQ are included in the price of admission. And, of course, admission to MAQ is always free for Frist Art Museum members and youth ages 18 and younger.
What is the etiquette at the museum? What can I take or NOT take into the galleries?
Rules at the Frist Art Museum and other museums are designed to make visiting an enjoyable experience, to protect visitors, and to protect the art. We ask for your help. Here are things you should know:
- Stay at least 18 inches from displayed objects and avoid pointing at them.
- Silence your phone. Exit galleries to take calls. Use headphones or earbuds when listening to an audio tour.
- Food, drinks, gum, and tobacco products are not allowed in the galleries.
- Self-serve coat check is available for outerwear and umbrellas. Please do not bring large items or backpacks into the museum. Do not carry children on shoulders.
- Strollers are allowed in the galleries, but they must be pushed by adults at all times.
- We ask that children under the age of 13 be supervised at all times.
- Use only #2 pencils to sketch or take notes. No pens are allowed in the galleries.
How do I become a member of the Frist?
It’s so easy!
We have several categories of membership to suit your particular needs. There are memberships for singles, couples, families, seniors, teachers, and students. We also have corporate memberships, which allow employees of a business to visit the museum free of charge (with the possible exception of some special exhibitions). You can join online using your credit card or download a membership form to mail to us. Membership forms are also available on-site at the museum.
When you become a Frist Art Museum member, you can come to exhibitions and the vast majority of activities and events free of charge or at a significant discount. Members also receive discounts in the fabulous Frist Art Museum gift shop, as well as discounts on venue rentals and more!
There may be some special exhibitions where the lenders require that every visitor be charged. But even in those cases, members will receive a significant discount.
More information on membership can be found here.
How should I dress when I come to the Frist?
Come as you are, and dress comfortably! At just about any time, you will see people dressed all kinds of ways.
Where can I park?
The lots owned by the Frist Art Museum are located between the Frist Art Museum and Demonbreun Street.
When you get your admission, staff will offer a parking voucher to you.”
Sometimes parking lots fill up quickly. You can find metered parking along the east side of the building on Ninth Avenue.
There is also additional paid public parking in the Gateway parking lot (behind Union Station) accessible from Tenth Avenue and surface parking in the lot across Tenth Avenue from Cummins Station. We regret that we are not able to validate parking tickets for these lots. We can validate parking tickets only for the spaces we control.
For additional options, please consult the Downtown Interactive Parking Map.
What about accessible, barrier-free entry for people in wheelchairs?
There are accessible parking spaces in the easternmost Frist Art Museum lot nearest the Estes Federal Building as well as on Ninth Avenue between the Frist Art Museum and the Estes Federal Building. Barrier-free entry is available from the gate nearest the Frist Art Museum loading dock (enter across the Turner Courtyard).
We have a limited number of wheelchairs on site available at no charge. Speak with a Guest Services associate for assistance when you arrive.
Click here for more information about accessibility at the Frist.
May I take a stroller into the galleries?
Yes. There are also strollers available at no charge. Should you decide you need one for a toddler during your visit, they are available at Membership. Adults must push strollers at all times.
May I take photos at the Frist?
For every exhibition, we have to secure permission from its lenders for photography to be allowed. Signage will be posted when permission has not been granted; you are, however, always free to take pictures outside our historic building, in the Grand Lobby, and in MAQ. Flash, selfie sticks, monopods, and tripods are always prohibited.
Why can’t I touch the art?
Art can be quite fragile, and we want to do everything in our power to protect the art entrusted to us. The oils on our hands can be tremendously harmful to delicate works of art.
What happens if I get too close to the art?
When you are in our galleries, we ask that you stand at least 18 inches (about an arm’s distance) from the works on display. If you get closer than that, our security guards may ask you to step back. Please don’t think it’s personal! It’s our responsibility to keep the art safe, and we ask for and appreciate your help with this task.
Why can’t I take my drink into the galleries?
Like most museums, we are not able to allow food or drink inside the galleries. You can imagine what might happen if someone sipping a soda were bumped, splashing their drink onto a work of art. Most lenders do not allow food or drink near the objects they have agreed to share, so this is a condition of being able to show some of the world’s greatest art at the Frist Art Museum.
What’s wrong with backpacks and large bags?
They can pose a security threat to the art, so we ask that you leave them at home or concealed in your car. It’s easy to forget you have a backpack on, and there have been instances at other museums when sculpture has been damaged by a backpack.
How can I volunteer at the Frist?
We love our volunteers and are always looking for outgoing and enthusiastic people who enjoy interacting with our visitors. Volunteer training sessions take place throughout the year. Just contact our manager of visitor engagement at volunteer@FristArtMuseum.org or 615.744.3329 to find out more about helping us at the Frist Art Museum. Volunteers assist with Visitor Services, the gift shop, the galleries and offices, special events, research projects, and a variety of “utility” positions that change with exhibitions, activities, and attendance levels. Volunteers park free on the days they volunteer and receive discounts in the gift shop.
How do I become a docent?
Our docents are lifelong learners who lead our student and adult tours of exhibitions. Docents undergo a significant training period and then commit to ongoing education. Because we don’t have a permanent collection, and because our exhibitions change frequently, our docent corps is always in learning mode. To find out more about becoming a docent, please email ahenderson@FristArtMuseum.org.
How can I find out about free days at the Frist?
There are a number of days throughout the year when visitors of all ages can visit the Frist Art Museum for free. These free days are not scheduled far in advance and are coordinated under various conditions. For example, occasionally a sponsor underwrites the cost of admission for a day, then we announce it to area media, on our website and social media platforms, in emails, and with a banner on the building.
The best way to find out about these and other events is to sign up for the Frist Art Museum’s weekly email newsletter.
I inherited a painting that’s been in the family for quite some time. Can you tell me what it is worth?
Unfortunately, we are not able to perform appraisals of artwork, nor are we able to authenticate works. The best thing to do is to find a licensed appraiser. There is an excellent website, appraisers.org, that can get you started. You can also search other websites, including ebay.com, askart.com, and artprice.com. You might also want to contact auction houses like Christie’s, Sotheby’s, or Bonhams.
How can I donate art to the Frist?
While we appreciate the generosity of those wishing to give us art, the Frist Art Museum does not have a permanent collection and therefore does not accept gifts of art or purchase art.
Where should I go to learn more about art?
First, visit the Frist Art Museum and FristArtMuseum.org often! Our exhibitions change frequently, so you are likely to see something different every time. Our exhibitions are accompanied by a variety of programs and resources, including talks, looking guides, ARTlabs, and more. Each program and publication is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about art.
Visit as many art museums as possible! Visit our sister art institutions in Nashville and, when you travel, be sure to check out local museums, universities, and art galleries. In Nashville, there are frequently wonderful opportunities to meet and even study with artists whose works have been featured at the Frist Art Museum and around town; NowPlayingNashville.com and NashvilleScene.com regularly mention art crawls and other happenings in their calendars.
If you are interested in learning about particular artists or periods, there are many resources available; askart.com and artcyclopedia.com are great places to start. Nashville Public Library is also an incredibly rich source of information.
How do I get art cleaned or repaired?
You should speak with a conservator. While we are not able to recommend or endorse individual conservators, there are online resources you can consult as a start. The University of Delaware has an excellent list of online resources that cover many areas of conservation, including associations and organizations.
What’s going on with the giant roses?
See our page about the sculpture for details.
